Amidst the chaos of Cavanaugh Hall, the room of priest-in-residence Rev. Robert Dowd, C.S.C., emits a resounding calm. Nestled between brightly colored common rooms and the occasional spatter of high-pitched giggles, his home in 2B is open and welcoming.
“I’m spoiled because I’m the only man in this hall – it’s great. Women are always bringing by little cupcakes or cookies.”
Father Bob, as he is endearingly called by the girls with whom he lives and prays, has always had a special place in his heart for Notre Dame. He grew up just around the corner in Michigan City, Indiana, with his parents and younger sister, and eventually found himself studying Economics and Psychology under the dome. After graduating in 1987, he entered the seminary.
Now, in addition to working under the ultimate heavenly management, Dowd also teaches in the Comparative Politics field of the Political Science department at Notre Dame. He also heads the Ford Family Program in Human Development Studies, tackling research dedicated to aiding people and communities with needs that they themselves determine. His efforts are especially focused on East Africa.
Why Africa? Dowd spent a year and a half in Kenya, studying with African seminarians, learning the ropes of Swahili, and then working directly with the community for the following six months. He directed a program that sent impoverished kids to school and cooked them lunch every day, and he also helped to teach at a local parish using a mixture of English and Swahili. These days, he travels back and forth to Africa in order to build bridges between the community there and ours here in South Bend. He expects to return sometime this December.
“There are still a lot of people who lack the very basics. You see kids, really smart, with lots of potential to do amazing things but their opportunities are limited because resources are lacking. It’s only because they were born where they were born. Good things are happening there, but there’s a lot we can improve.
I have this idea of development not just as something we can do for each other — we can relieve each other, but for development to be development, people have to do it themselves. I for myself, you for yourself. How do you promote the conditions that allow people to develop themselves? That’s the question, and it’s not always easy to determine.”
What did he learn there? “Lots of patience. They have a great saying in Swahili: there’s no blessing in hurrying, slowly we will get there. I learned it the hard way, waiting in long lines, people showing up late. Masses there would sometimes be twice as long, although the music was great. One thing I really admired was how they make time for each other… we can learn a lot in that regard.”
“Sometimes in our society we forget the importance of relationships, especially those of us who are college students or professors or young professionals. Our work can consume us. We can be busy with so many things and not make time for each other, for the people we love and the people who love us. That’s something that Pope Francis tries to help us remember – once in awhile, slow down and make time for those who are in need.”
What brought him to the priesthood? “I’d thought about it for a long time, ever since I was a little kid,” Dowd said. While other kids masqueraded as pirates and superheroes, he’d pretend to be a priest and say mass for his family. Although his college experience rolled by normally and even included a steady girlfriend, observing the Holy Cross priests gradually drew him back to the idea.
“Deep down inside, there was always something pulling at me and drawing me to the priesthood. I don’t know how to explain it totally. I had experience being around priests who really made a difference in their lives and were really joyful. I just thought, if I can help other people and really be joyful and free, what more could I want for my life?”
What’s it like living in a girls’ dorm? Dowd’s priestly vocation led him to a home in St. Edwards Hall for 12 years, before he was asked to transition into Cavanaugh at the beginning of last year.
“It smells a lot better,” he laughed. “It’s a little quieter. Women just have a different way of relating to not only each other, but also to people like me living in the hall. I’ve really felt at home, and all the women have been really welcoming.”
Most interesting Cavanaugh experience to date? “One evening after mass downstairs, I tried to hula hoop. It was a dare from the women of Cavanaugh, so that was certainly funny. I’m not used to moving like that.”
What do you do in your free time? I try to run for exercise. I used to take guys from Steds to play basketball once a week over at the seminary; they have a great basketball court. I celebrate mass once a month with the elderly, and I really enjoy that. It’s a great way to be grounded.
“Here there’s a lot of youth, a lot of energy, but there it’s people at the other end of spectrum, at the end of their life. How they deal with their own challenges can be inspiring. They’ve got a lot of wisdom that often goes untapped. We need to listen to them and give them the chance to talk because it helps them to grow in awareness of their dignity, and it lets them know they’re valuable and are loved… It’s great to be a part of that.”
Any hidden talents? “I like to think that I can sing pretty well, and I kind of got away from it now, but I used to do impersonations – celebrities, other priests, other people.”
Pick one: Sunday sundaes, Monday crepes or Wednesday smoothies? “I think the crepes are fantastic. I have to give it to Tesia and the crepes, although I do enjoy having people to my room for smoothies.”
Favorite place on campus? “I love the Sacred Heart statue in front of main building, with Jesus and his outstretched arms and “come to me all of you” inscribed on the base. I always found it to be very comforting and inspiring especially during difficult times.”
Favorite dining hall food? “I usually eat at Corby Hall… but I certainly enjoy the fajitas.”
What are your goals moving forward? When asked about his aspirations for the future, he didn’t hesitate. “My hope would be that I can be really increasingly supportive of the women here in Cavanaugh in any way I possibly can and just to continue to grow in awareness of the many blessings of my life, as well as growing to be more generous. I think that’s what ultimately finally makes life worth living, being generous with our lives.”
“This is what being a priest should be all about, this ideal giving of self.”
Any advice for students? “Go for it. That sounds silly in a way, but never underestimate your capacity to really do good in the world, whether you’re near or far. And you should always start by trying to understand a problem before trying to solve it — so many times we try to solve something before understanding it. It sounds so simple. Trying to seek to understand first usually requires lots of listening, so be good listeners. Just really listen.”
Thanks for your time, Father Bob! XOXO, HCND
Follow HCND on Twitter, like us on Facebook, Pin with us and show our Instagram some love!