Monsignor Pat McDowell and Deacon Alice Olson at Ecumen’s Lakeshore Community

Below is a remembrance of Monsignor Patrick McDowell from Deacon Alice Olson, who serves at Ecumen’s Lakeshore and Bayshore communities in Duluth, Minn. "Father Pat" died Wed. morning. He was a superstar to so many. And he was an actual move star, appearing in the movie North Country as a priest. (the role came naturally). Past posts featuring Father Pat are here and here.

Now From Alice …

Yesterday morning Ecumen’s Lakeshore and Bayshore communities in Duluth lost a wonderful friend and a man of God with the passing of Monsignor Pat McDowell. Father Pat lived fully to the very end of life, learning and growing, and empowering and honoring others while doing so.

I remember sitting in the Lakeshore chapel with Father Pat, when I first started serving as chaplain at Lakeshore. We instantly became friends as his gift was his love of all people. We talked about our ministries and how one continues their call to ministry. At that point he wasn’t sure where his would take him, now that he was living in an assisted living community, outside the daily life of his parish. That led us to a discussion about how one’s call to ministry doesn’t have to stop just because of retirement or change in lifestyle.

He loved his life at Lakeshore, I feel it fulfilled him in ways he never imagined. I will miss seeing him at lunch in the café’, he would see me and call me over to meet whoever he was with. He would introduce me as Alice Olson, the Chaplain, she’s an Episcopalian Deacon and a Finlander.

Msgr. was unique in his ministry. He loved people for who they were, in his eyes everyone person was equal. Msgr touched everyone’s heart at Lakeshore and Bayshore and we all appreciate how he helped us exercise our value of spirituality and creating welcoming, inclusive communities.

We shared in celebratory interfaith services along with Lutheran Pastor Cy Solberg. These included Stations of the Cross, Good Friday, Blessing of the Animals, a beautiful service honoring our country, and a service honoring our veterans.

Father McDowell had lived on Park Point for many years where there is an Episcopal Church and a Catholic Church. Over the years he made many friends in the Park Point community.

I serve at St. Andrew’s by the Lake Episcopal church on Park Point and recently we celebrated our new remodeling with our Bishop. Father Pat shared in our celebration. It was a grand day as he worshipped with us and had great conversation with our bishop and friends.

I will remember the worship services we shared, the Holy Spirit was with us and around us. Before he died he let me know he will not leave me and will remain with me in spirit as he will be with us all. He opened his heart to everyone he met.

Msgr. McDowell brought Mass to the people at Bayshore for many years and continued to do the same at Lakeshore. He said Mass 5 days a week and brought communion to those in our short-term rehabilitation center. He let everyone know how happy he was living at Lakeshore, and he was a truly a Patriarch in our community.

Last week Msgr. and I discussed the lesson appointed for the 6^th Sunday of Easter.

John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another."

Msgr. talked about his priesthood and realized in this lesson that God chose him. And for that I say thank you.