When Jack and Pat Dowd moved from St. Louis in 1971, they felt sad to be leaving behind their families and friends. However, upon joining the Cathedral of St. Joseph as parishioners, they found a parish family that welcomed them.
“We joined the parish at that time,” Jack says. “We’ve been involved ever since. It’s been a great journey.”
At the time, Jack joined a men’s softball team and formed friendships there. Shortly after, he and Pat began their involvement in parish life by helping out at the Christmas Bazaar. From there, they became involved in many different activities and ministries for the decades that followed.
“When we moved here and didn’t know anyone, I found the need to get involved,” Pat says. “I was lonely from leaving my family in St. Louis.”
Both Pat and Jack have served in many areas of parish life over the years. Jack was on Parish Council on three occasions, he has been part of the Knights of Columbus, assisted with the spaghetti dinners, served as an usher and as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion during Mass and to the homebound. Pat served as the school secretary, chaired the Christmas Bazaar for a couple of years, and was also an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion during Mass and to the homebound.
In addition, for more than 19 years, Pat coordinated and served for funeral luncheons.
“That was a wonderful ministry for me,” Pat says. “I met many nice people through it.”
Pat and Jack follow the example of their own respective parents who instilled in them the importance of serving the Church and helping others.
“Both of our parents were very involved in the parish,” Pat says. “I can remember mom cooking for the neighbors when someone had a baby or someone died, that type of thing. They all did a lot for their parish. We had great upbringings like that.”
Through their involvement at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jack and Pat have formed lifelong friendships and say they’ve become better Catholics and better people.
“Through the years, being on committees and organizations, you meet people,” Jack says. “A lot of those people inspired me by their faith and commitment to the Church. Some of them are still around and still inspire me, some are no longer with us. I got a lot out of the things I have done because I was able to work with some great people and all our priests were outstanding.”