Wednesday, May 19, 2021
It's extremely hard for many of us knowing Father Joe is no longer with us. Father Joe made church and being an alter boy fun for us kids; from the the alter boy parties with dances, McDonalds and Swimming in Swift Current and even Jurassic Park viewings at the Parish Hall, keeping kids involved in his sermons with jokes and teasing, buying us Alter boys junk food after we served for a funeral knowing that he needed to lighten our day from somber events. I remember he was big into technology in the early 90's, he had the coolest boom boxes, PDAs before they were mainstream and for many of us going to the rectory to visit was our first experiences with computers, even playing DOOM on his computer in the rectory, an almost unbelievable story. You could often see him zipping around town in his VW or riding his bike around town, stopping to visit with anyone wanting to chat or find him reading a book at the local restaurant. Finding him reading a book is my last memory of him, while out with my newborn son for supper, there was Father Joe reading a book. After myself being away from my hometown for 10 years and him moving over 15 years prior, he still remembered me and my family in that Regina restaurant and was nice to chat and catch up with him for 15 minutes and have him meet my own son. I know others that had Father Joe as a priest while younger and they all have similar, amazing memories. Every community he went to he left many good memories and lasting impact in the community and on so many people. Rest easy Father Joe, and thanks for everything you did for us.
