Father Don Downey, JCL, and chaplain of the St. Michael the Archangel Latin Mass Community celebrated the 30th anniversary of his ordination at St. Pius X Parish Hall on July 17.

“We thank God for the gift of your priesthood,” Alex Griss, a member of the St. Michael community and master of ceremonies at the luncheon said.

Griss expressed the community’s gratitude and affection for Father Downey and the gift of his priesthood, which was the theme of the celebration.

“We should always be aware that we owe our priests a great deal,” Griss said. “Through them, we receive the sacraments. We are baptized, reconciled with our God in confession and receive Him in the Holy Eucharist. We are married and buried by our priests. We need always to show them our appreciation, respect and love.”  

He recounted the story of Father Downey’s remarking how he would like to learn to celebrate the Latin Mass after a friend gave him a copy of the Roman Missal used by priests to celebrate it. A series of events followed in rapid succession and he soon found himself accepting the assignment as chaplain to St. Michael’s.

Father Downey replaced long-time chaplain Father Carlos Cassavantes, FSSP, who had helped form the community in 1985 and was transferred by his order to Oklahoma. Father Downey learned to celebrate the Latin Mass and quickly earned the admiration of the parishioners, Griss said. 

Bishop Thomas J. Drury ordained Father Downey at Corpus Christi Cathedral on July 25, 1981. Since then, he has served the diocese in various capacities.

He assisted in a number of area parishes, including St. Patrick, St James in Refugio, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Our Lady of the Rosary, Holy Family, Immaculate Conception in Encinal, St. Anthony in Violet and St. Pius X. He also served at the minor seminary and as chaplain at Incarnate Word Academy.

He earned a graduate academic degree Juris Canonici Licentiatus, (Licentiate of Canon Law) from Catholic University in 1992 and served for a time in the tribunal. He has been a chaplain at Doctors Regional Hospital for a number of years, a position he retains while serving as chaplain to St. Michael the Archangel Latin Mass Community. He also continues to serve at St. Pius X Parish.

The joyous occasion was somewhat overshadowed by the death of Father Downey’s father, Cecil Downey, the night before. Parishioners expressed their sympathy to Father Downey and his family who attended the luncheon.