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Friends recall ‘brilliant guy’ who ‘always made you feel comfortable’
archived from: 2010-03-08
by: Pittsburgh Catholic Staff Report

Aux. Bishop John B. McDowell’s death on Feb. 25 marks the passing of an era, said Louis Vitti.

“He was that kind of Bing Crosby, ‘Bells of St. Mary’s’ priest. You don’t see that anymore,” said Vitti, a Downtown Pittsburgh attorney and former chairman of the parish council at Epiphany Church during the bishop’s time as pastor.

Bishop McDowell spent his life as a pastor and teacher, interacting with many people along the way.

They paused to remember him following his death at age 88.

Bishop McDowell was “a brilliant guy, inspired and inspiring,” Vitti said. “He gave the best sermons. They were always to the point, always understandable to the common man, yet eloquent and passionate and always brief, always interesting.”

Vitti recalled especially that Bishop McDowell could make the three-hour Good Friday services pass quickly.

“He was always conscious of the parishioners and always educating. He would take certain aspects of each Gospel and educate the people on them.”

“He was a dear guy,” he said. When she heard of the bishop’s death, Pat Brannigan Doherty listened once again to the tape of the bishop’s eulogy for her husband’s funeral.

“It was so touching. He knew my husband. He knew everyone in that parish,” she said. “He had such a personal hand on everything, everyone felt that. It was so meaningful.”

Doherty served on the parish council at Epiphany and knew the bishop as a “wonderful administrator. He listened to you. We had great communication between council and Bishop McDowell.”

Even in retirement, he returned each Lent for his famous brief homilies for Wednesday noon Masses.

“They packed the church to hear him,” she said.

“He was very personable, very kind,” she said. “I have so much emotion.”

Joseph Michael Senoski was amazed when the bishop hired him as sexton at the parish at age 16 — a role he still fills.

The family had long ties to Epiphany through its popular 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning Mass. As an infant, he said, “I didn’t sleep,” and his parents would take him along to the Mass.

When he was studying forensics at Central Catholic High School, the bishop welcomed him as a lector — at that 2:30 a.m. Mass. “I think he wanted to see how dedicated I was,” Senoski said with a laugh.

The bishop, he said, “was always in good spirits, always upbeat. He talked to everyone as if they were equals. He took a personal interest in everyone.

“You felt you were in the presence of a man of God.”

Senoski also appreciated the bishop’s homily skills. “He felt if you couldn’t say it in 10 minutes, you weren’t going to make it. It was always impressive to hear him speak.”

Parishioner Ken Scherer, who also served on the parish council under Bishop McDowell, recalled him as a “very good leader” well known for his speaking abilities.

“Friends would ask when he was going to speak on special occasions and came to hear him,” he said.

The bishop had a spring in his step and “he looked like a pope,” Scherer said. “But he always made you feel comfortable, he wasn’t somebody you’d be afraid to talk to. I enjoyed his company.”

Gene Kail knew Bishop McDowell both through his work in Catholic education and as a parishioner.

For many years, he said, “Bishop McDowell was a professional mentor to me, as well as serving as my pastor. He made service to the church a natural part of my life.

“I have seldom encountered anyone so erudite, compassionate and joyful, nor have I ever met his match as a raconteur.”

Kail added that, “I will miss him most as a loyal and supportive friend.”

Mercy Sister Ignatius Rooney served as assistant superintendent for elementary schools with Bishop McDowell for many years.

“Any time you went to him about a problem at a school he would help you to solve it,” she said. “He was always right there behind you.”

During the later years of declining enrollment and merging of schools, she said, “he helped people see that Catholic education would continue.”

He worked closely with principals and teachers to win Middle States accreditation for the schools in 1990 — making Pittsburgh the first diocese in the country to have all 119 of its schools accredited. “It was a big accomplishment for us,” she said.

“He was such a kind and gentle person,” she said. “It was very meaningful to work with him. He would listen to reports, then he’d say, ‘Sit down. What’s going on?’”

School Sister of Notre Dame Ursula Kelly, a former consultant for elementary school catechesis, said, “I had the highest respect for him. His concern for both teachers and students was supportive and enthusiastic.

“I’m sure many children will have memories of joy and a clear understanding of the sacrament of confirmation because of him,” she said.

Benedictine Sister Elizabeth Matz had the bishop as professor of church history almost 60 years ago. “I’ve never forgotten it,” she said. “It was noteworthy because he had such a love for the Fathers of the Church.”

As an educator, she said, “I’ve always respected him. He was very compassionate and very open to creative ideas.” Mildred Keenan had just two bosses in her entire work life — Msgr. Thomas Quigley, former head of Catholic schools in the diocese, and his successor, Bishop McDowell.

She worked as his secretary in the schools office and through his retirement years.

“He was just a wonderful, wonderful guy, just one of the best,” she said. “It was really a pleasure to work with him. He worked so well with and for everybody. He was just such a great guy.”

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