Bishop takes part in `Blessing of the Bikes'

What started three years ago as a way to help people in need thrust a unique group of motorcycle enthusiasts into a special spotlight Sunday morning in Johnston.

For the third time in as many years, the Rev. Peter J. Gower performed a special “Blessing of the Bikes” after helping Bishop Thomas Joseph Tobin celebrate Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church.

Sometime around 11:45 a.m., the shriek of Emilio “Emo” Sabitoni’s whistle halted traffic on Greenville Avenue, as a lone biker emerged from Lafayette Street, which is also home to the Roman Catholic parish.

It was none other than Gower, a motorcyclist who was still wearing his vestment and later blessed nearly two-dozen motorcycles that belong to members of the now three-year-old Screamin’ Eagles group.

“This is always a special time for our riders,” said Sabitoni, a longtime member of the Johnston Police Department. “First, people should know we are not a motorcycle club. We do not have the letters ‘MC’ on our vests. We are a group of people who love to ride and to also help any and all charitable purposes.”

The Screamin’ Eagles came into being three years ago when Sabitoni was talking motorcycles with Gower, who doubles as Our Lady of Grace’s pastor and chaplain for the town’s police department.

Since then, the Screamin’ Eagles have held fundraisers to benefit Meeting Street School, help people who are battling cancer, and provide funeral and burial insurance.

When asked how the name Screamin’ Eagles came about, Sabitoni said: “We had an eagle on our vest and his mouth was open, so I suggested let’s call ourselves the Screamin’ Eagles.”

His many riding friends agreed, and Sunday, many of those members were on hand at Our Lady of Grace and even lined both sides of the walkway as people exited from the Mass.

Even Bishop Tobin enjoyed the fun and frolic of the Screamin’ Eagles gather and without hesitation joined members for a special photograph.

“We’ve never, ever had anything like this before,” said Tony “Chief Two Feathers” Rossi, Sabitoni’s longtime sidekick. “This is special, the bishop of Providence being part of the blessing of the bikes.”

Each and every member of the motorcycle group concurred and offered his and her thanks to Tobin for the honor of his presence.

The Screamin’ Eagles are Carmine Borrelli, Peter and Kathryn Tata, Deb Scaramuzzi, Mike Murphy Sr., Pete Choquette, Thomas L. Clark, Joseph Caracciola, Tommy and Tonya Antonelli, Kristine Truppi, Michael Freitas, Stephanie White, Joe Garcher, Susan Santoro, Lou Ann Norcini-Sabitoni, Emo Sabitoni, Tony “Chief Two Feathers” Rossi, and Carmine Borelli III. 1

BLESSED BIKES:

These are some of the Screamin’ Eagles motorcycles that were featured in Sunday’s third annual “Blessing of the Bikes.” (Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

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BISHOP’S BLESSING:

Bishop Thomas Joseph Tobin joined the Screamin’ Eagles motorcycle group after celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church in Johnston. 3

REVEREND RIDES:

The Rev. Peter J. Gower, center, still dressed in his vestment, is surrounded by members of the Screamin’ Eagles motorcycle group. 4

SPECIAL MOMENT:

At the Rev. Peter J. Gower reads a prayer during Sunday’s “Blessing of the Bikes,” Our Lady of Grace parishioner Stephanie Lemoi holds the holy water pot and sprinkler the priest used to bless nearly two-dozen motorcycles.