For a Jesuit so involved in retreats, confession, saying Mass, performing baptisms, writing reflections and teaching about the Catholic faith, it’s hard to believe he gets around on only a scooter.
The Rev. Paul Mahowald S.J. is currently the associate pastor of St. John’s, where he participates in many activities on Creighton’s campus and in the Jesuit community.
Mahowald joined the Society of Jesus in 1955 at age 21 after his third year in college studying biology. “I think all throughout my grade school years I was thinking about it but never really admitted it,” Mahowald said.
“The Holy Spirit kind of directs you one way or another so I joined the Jesuits.”
Ever since joining the Jesuits, Mahowald has been very involved in the Catholic faith from teaching high school to writing for an online newsletter.
“I’ve had three different careers with a little bit of science teaching, some 25 years of business work, and ever since, pastoral work which I still do.”
During Fr. Mahowald’s 75 years, he has taught high school chemistry and physics, worked at the business side of Creighton for 25 years, written for America Magazine in New York City for 12 years, taught at Creighton Prep for 10 years and served as a pastor in Iowa.With an active and involved lifestyle, it’s hard to believe that he is held back from many activities because of his health.
Mahowald has a serious heart condition and pacemaker that he says has saved his life a few times.
“It’s the overwhelming negative in my life that slows me down and conditions everything else I do.”
Although Mahowald is very active with his pastoral work, he knows his health is very important to his continuing involvement.
“My heart will be my limiting factor in whatever I do for the rest of my life. I know I have to slow down and behave and pay much more attention to how I feel now.”
“If I don’t do my therapy, I will end up bedridden in a hurry,” Mahowald said.
Although Fr. Mahowald says his health holds him back, he is willing to work hard on getting well to continue his activities.
“It’s the biggest challenge, but I love the work of the ministry, working with bigger groups at Masses, one-on-one with people in counseling and my in-between group of RCIA people.”
One of Mahowald’s largest involvements on campus is working with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA. This program gradually introduces adults into the Roman Catholic faith.
“I have been involved in it for 40 years now,” Mahowald said. The program offers a way for people interested in the faith to “test the waters” to see if they want to get involved in the Catholic Church, he said.
“The Lord works on all of us individually to tweak us. Every candidate has an interesting story. There are so many different reasons, and so many different stories.”
Although Fr. Mahowald plays a major role in the RCIA program, he also is very passionate about his work as an associate pastor.
“I’m very and completely involved, not only at Creighton, but in St. John’s. “
“All through the years I’m saying Masses in the lower St. John’s. I give confessions, spiritual counseling and I do retreats,” he said.
When he’s not partaking in his pastoral duties, Mahowald enjoys his time living in the Jesuit community.
“We live a common life here. We celebrate birthdays, play cards. We have a lot of fun yelling at each other.”
In his downtime, Mahowald also keeps up to date on the Cardinals and the Packers. He explained that he is “too old to do anything with sports” and also “too crippled” so he enjoys watching on television.
Mahowald currently celebrates the Monday 5 p.m. Mass in Lower St. John’s. He encourages all to join in the Masses, as they are one of his favorite parts of being a Jesuit. He says he will continue his involvement in the community while he still has his wits and “a scooter with a good battery.”