The leader of the Catholic Church in Utah made a rare visit to northern Utah County recently to conduct Mass and rededicate the social hall at St. Peter Mission.
The Most Rev. George H. Niederauer, bishop of the Salt Lake Diocese, celebrated a memorial mass for Monsignor Edward Dowling and the deceased Knights of Columbus of St. Peter's. It was his first visit to the American Fork church since coming to Utah in January 1995. The mission's social center was named for Monsignor Dowling, who served as pastor from 1981 until his death March 6, 1985.Bishop Niederauer praised Monsignor Dowling for his nearly 50 years of service to the Catholic Church. "He gave his life in service," the bishop said. Monsignor Dowling had a great love for people and God.
It was service that built St. Peter Mission, 622 N. 600 East, and the social center, Bishop Niederauer said.
"This honors those who have gone on before us, like Monsignor Dowling, and inspires us to go on and do the same thing," he said.
Bishop Niederauer cautioned about 150 parishioners against worldliness. He called celebrities riding in stretch limos with tinted glass "worldly greatness." There's a difference between that and Christian greatness, which comes in serving others as Jesus Christ did.
Following Mass, the Rev. William J. Wheaton, pastoral administrator of St. Peter Mission, hosted a dedication celebration of the Monsignor Dowling Social Center. Bishop Niederauer offered a dedicatory prayer and blessing on the social hall.