Starting July 2017, Our Lady of Grace will welcome Fr. Michael Bower, a newly-ordained priest in the Diocese-of-Lafayette and our new Associate Pastor! My Fr. Bower's ministry at OLG be filled with joy and Christ's love!
Here are some words he has to share with the parish as he begins living and serving with us:
Dear Parishioners,
My name is Father Michael Bower. I am from Zionsville, and my home parish is St. Alphonsus Liguori. Bishop Doherty ordained me to the priesthood just a few weeks ago on June 3. So, I am a brand new priest! I will be your new associate pastor.
I know that you must be sad to be losing Father Logsdon, but I will do my best to make the transition as painless as possible. If it is any consolation, I am younger and better looking! Haha! I am excited to meet you all.
One of the interesting things about seminary is that seminarians come in all shapes and sizes. I have studied with college dropouts, war veterans, medical doctors, and even a rocket scientist. Everyone has a different story. For example, throughout my youth, I would never have considered the priesthood. For some reason, I had this idea that the priesthood was for men who either couldn’t get a girlfriend or were preparing for the nursing home. This all changed in 2006, when two new priests came to my parish.
They were young, masculine, and most importantly, they were normal. Through their influence and fatherhood, I was able to begin to discern my own vocation. In prayer, I began to realize that the Lord was calling me to follow him to the seminary. Nearly a decade later, I can honestly say that my desire for the priesthood has only grown. In seminary, I have studied in Ohio, Minnesota, Colorado, and Southern Indiana. I have also had the opportunity to study abroad in Rome for a semester and to study Spanish for a summer in Guatemala. It is strange to think so, but after all these years, I am just getting started!
In seminary, it has occurred to me that the real gift of priesthood is the opportunity to meet so many good people. So, it will be a privilege to come to know you and your families.
I wish I could say with Fr. Logsdon that I have some really cool hobbies like martial arts or wielding chainsaws, but I must say that my life is not nearly as exciting. Nevertheless, every once awhile I get adventurous and climb a mountain or something. On a more regular basis, I enjoy country music, learning languages, and playing guitar.