ROME — Father Peter Harman, 43, a Quincy native and the former pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield was formally installed Feb. 28 as the 23rd rector of the Pontifical North American College (PNAC) in Rome. Appointed by the college last November, Father Harman assumed his new post on Feb. 1.

Archbishop John Myers of Newark was the main celebrant and homilist during the Mass where Father Harman made his Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki concelebrated at Mass along with several cardinals, archbishops, bishops and priest faculty of PNAC. A college news release spoke of the "festive celebratory banquet following Mass." Before giving the invocation at the banquet, Bishop Paprocki delivered some remarks, one of which reminded the gathering that Father Harman hailed from Quincy, known to Illinoisans as the "Gem City."

Father Harman has a heart of gold, so our diocese is sharing with all of you one of our gems! I give you a pastor, a priest who thinks as a pastor, serves as a pastor, and loves as a shepherd cares for his flock," said Bishop Paprocki. (The bishop's full remarks can be viewed at www.dio.org, click on "Bishop Paprocki's homilies and speeches.") He also devotes his column on page 2 to the new role of Father Harman.

On its website, PNAC wrote that "there's a new Peter in town." The college's formal media announcement about the installation of Rector Harman can be found at www.pnac.org.