About Our Lady of Grace · Johnston, Rhode Island
Our Lady of Grace is a Roman Catholic parish in Johnston, Rhode Island, within the Diocese of Providence. Founded in 1913 to serve Italian immigrants in Johnston and North Providence, it grew from a mission of Holy Ghost Church in Providence into a faith community of more than 1,400–1,500 families. The parish is best known for its annual La Madonna della Difesa feast each September and for an unusually lively calendar of parish events under long-time pastor Father Peter J. Gower and current pastor Father Richard A. Narciso.
- Established
- 1913
- Patron
- Our Lady of Grace
- Rector
- Rev. Richard A. Narciso
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Our Lady of Grace is a medium-sized Italian-rooted Catholic parish in Johnston that runs on warm hospitality and a remarkably full parish life: weekend Mass, daily Mass on Mondays and Tuesdays at Our Lady of Grace (and Wednesdays and Fridays at partner parish St. Robert Bellarmine), a robust Religious Education program, a school-aged Altar Server program, Holy Name Society for men, St. Anne Sodality for women, a Prayer Shawl Ministry, weekly Saturday Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary, perpetual feasts and the famous La Madonna della Difesa procession each September. It is the kind of parish where nonnas cook, parishioners serve as lectors and ushers, and every age group has a way to belong.
Mass times at Our Lady of Grace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- First Tuesday of each month: 6:30 PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the church (before the St. Anne Sodality meeting)
Parish History & Identity
Our Lady of Grace was founded on January 24, 1913 by the Most Rev. Matthew Harkins, Bishop of Providence, as a mission of Holy Ghost Church in Providence to serve Italian immigrant families settling in Johnston and North Providence. The parish grew steadily through twelve pastors over more than a century, with the upper church completed and dedicated in 1969 and the parish mortgage paid off under Fr. Raymond B. Bastia. The 110th anniversary was celebrated in 2023.
- Founded January 24, 1913 by Bishop Matthew Harkins
- Began as a mission of Holy Ghost Church, Providence
- 110th anniversary celebrated in 2023
- Current parish community of approximately 1,400–1,500 families
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Rev. Richard A. Narciso as pastor (installed Nov. 29, 2025; also pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Johnston), with Deacon Jay Gardner assisting. Rev. Peter J. Gower, pastor from 2013–2024, is Pastor Emeritus. Lay staff include Mrs. Joanne Burley (Director of Faith Formation), Mrs. Betsy Reilly (Office Administration / Facilities and Grounds), and Mr. Jeff Del Gigante (Director of Music Ministry).
- Rev. Richard A. Narciso — Pastor (installed Nov. 29, 2025)
- Rev. Peter J. Gower — Pastor Emeritus (2013–2024)
- Deacon Jay Gardner — Deacon Assistant
- Mrs. Joanne Burley — Director of Faith Formation / Religious Education
- Mrs. Betsy Reilly — Office Administration / Facilities and Grounds Management
- Mr. Jeff Del Gigante — Director of Music Ministry
Devotions & Annual Feasts
The parish's signature devotion is the annual Feast of La Madonna della Difesa in early September, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary under that title and including a Sunday Mass and religious procession through neighboring streets. A 13-week novena precedes the feast each year. Year-round devotions include Saturday's Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary, monthly Eucharistic Adoration before the St. Anne Sodality meeting, and a May/October Rosary prayed Sunday through Friday evenings.
- Annual La Madonna della Difesa feast and procession (early September)
- 13-week novena preceding the feast
- Saturday Chaplet of Divine Mercy (3:00 PM) and Rosary (3:30 PM)
- Rosary Sunday–Friday evenings during May and October
- First-Tuesday monthly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (6:30 PM)
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The School of Religion Program assists parents in the religious, moral, and spiritual formation of their children, with the parish mission statement emphasizing parents as primary educators and catechists as supporting partners. The program was expanded under Fr. Douglas J. Spina in the late 1990s to include kindergarten and adult faith formation in addition to the school-age curriculum.
- School of Religion (K–adult)
- Director of Faith Formation: Mrs. Joanne Burley
- Catechist-supported parish-based religious education
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of all ages serve in liturgical roles at Our Lady of Grace. Students in 3rd grade through high school may serve as Altar Servers; adults serve as Lectors (proclaiming the readings on a rotating basis), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (including taking Communion to the sick and homebound in nursing homes), and Ministers of Hospitality/Ushers who greet parishioners, assist those with mobility needs, take up the collection, and hand out bulletins. A Liturgy Committee oversees the parish's liturgical life.
- Altar Servers (grades 3–12)
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (incl. nursing home and homebound visits)
- Ministers of Hospitality / Ushers
- Liturgy Committee
Parish Organizations & Social Life
The parish runs an unusually full schedule of social and devotional organizations. The Holy Name Society is open to men 18 and older and meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM in Fioretti Hall. The St. Anne Sodality unites the women of the parish in religious, educational, and social activities (Christmas Card raffle, Pot Luck Supper, Mardi Gras dinner, annual retreat) and meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in Fioretti Hall, preceded by 6:30 PM Adoration. A Prayer Shawl Ministry, founded in 2010, has parish women knit and crochet shawls and lap robes prayed over and blessed for the ill and troubled. An active bocce league is also part of parish life.
- Holy Name Society — men 18+, 4th Wednesday, 7:00 PM, Fioretti Hall
- St. Anne Sodality — women, 1st Tuesday, 7:00 PM, Fioretti Hall (Adoration at 6:30 PM)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (since 2010)
- Bocce League
- Annual Primavera food extravaganza
- Holiday Bazaar
- Club 125 fundraiser
- Annual golf tournament
- St. Joseph Dinner
- Steak and cigar nights; Super Bowl tailgate; Easter egg hunt
Outreach & Service
Beyond the parish's own community life, Our Lady of Grace parishioners extend comfort to those in need through the Prayer Shawl Ministry, visits by Extraordinary Ministers to nursing homes and the homebound, a Pro-Life Committee, and the annual St. Nicholas Project at Christmastime.
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (shawls with miraculous medal and prayer card, blessed at Mass)
- Visits to the sick and homebound by Extraordinary Ministers
- Pro-Life Committee
- St. Nicholas Project (Christmas outreach)
Sacraments
Information on celebrating the sacraments at Our Lady of Grace is available through the parish office.
- Baptism — call the parish office to register and schedule
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing / Communion for the sick and homebound via the rectory
Pastor Succession
Twelve pastors have led Our Lady of Grace across its 110+ years, beginning with Rev. Nicola Amerito in 1913 and continuing through the current Rev. Richard A. Narciso. Each era left a distinct mark — Fr. D'Agostino's 24 years of growth, Fr. Fioretti's completed upper church, Fr. Sheahan's parking lot, Fr. Bastia's capital campaign and mortgage payoff, Fr. Spina's expanded education and devotions, Msgr. Montecalvo's decade of leadership, and Fr. Gower's bustling social calendar.
- 1. Rev. Nicola Amerito (1913–1921)
- 2. Rev. Cosimo Forleo (1921–)
- 3. (Administrator) Monsignor Anthony Bove
- 4. Rev. Giuseppe D'Agostino (1924–1948)
- 5. Rev. Domenic Russillo (admin. 1948; pastor 1958–)
- 6. (Administrator) Rev. Philip Magaldi (1961–)
- 7. Rev. Jerome Fioretti (pastor 1968–1980)
- 8. Rev. Richard D. Sheahan (1980–1986)
- 9. Rev. Roger L. Bacon (1986–1990)
- 10. Rev. Raymond B. Bastia (1990–c.1997)
- 11. Rev. Douglas J. Spina (c.1997–2004)
- 12. Rev. Msgr. Carlo F. Montecalvo (2004–2013)
- 13. Rev. Peter J. Gower (2013–2024; Pastor Emeritus)
- 14. Rev. Richard A. Narciso (October 1, 2024–present)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Nicola Amerito1913–1921
First pastor; founded the Holy Name Society and the Children of Mary groups.
- Rev. Cosimo Forleo1921–
Second pastor; retired soon after due to poor health.
- Monsignor Anthony Bovec.1921–1924
Administrator (then pastor of St. Anne's, Providence) overseeing parish growth.
- Rev. Giuseppe D'AgostinoJanuary 6, 1924–1948
Third pastor; led 24 years of parish growth.
- Rev. Domenic RussilloAdministrator 1948; Pastor 1958–
Fourth pastor; oversaw construction of the new church basement dedicated May 18, 1952.
- Rev. Philip Magaldi1961–
Administrator following Father Russillo.
- Rev. Jerome FiorettiPastor October 8, 1968–1980
Fifth pastor; completed the upper church structure, dedicated June 29, 1969 by Auxiliary Bishop Bernard M. Kelley.
- Rev. Richard D. SheahanJune 2, 1980–1986
Sixth pastor; purchased the property across the street for parish parking.
- Rev. Roger L. Bacon1986–1990
Seventh pastor.
- Rev. Raymond B. Bastia1990–c.1997
Eighth pastor and native son; led capital campaign — new roof, handicap ramp, AC, chandeliers, cry room, feast buildings on Sheridan Avenue; paid off parish mortgage.
- Rev. Douglas J. Spinac.1997–2004
Ninth pastor; previously pastor of St. Anthony's, Woonsocket; expanded Religious Education and founded Liturgy Committee, Legion of Mary, 13-week pre-feast novena, and Pro-Life Committee.
- Rev. Msgr. Carlo F. Montecalvo2004–2013
Tenth pastor; U.S. Air Force chaplain for 26 years; made Monsignor by Pope St. John Paul II.
- Rev. Peter J. Gower2013–2024
Eleventh pastor; installed July 14, 2013 by Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans; ordained 1984 by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau; built the parish's social calendar and started drive-in and Facebook-streamed Masses during COVID-19; retired September 30, 2024 for reasons of health; named Pastor Emeritus.
- Rev. Richard A. NarcisoOctober 1, 2024–present
Twelfth pastor; installed Nov. 29, 2025 by Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.; also continues as Pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Johnston.