Father Downs has lived a mostly 'up life'

That's the succinct sentiment of Rev. Richard J. Downs, a retired priest of the Albany Diocese. Before retiring in 1996, he was at Holy Cross parish, Albany, where he served as pastor for 20 years. Right after he stepped down, life suddenly and drastically changed for him.

Due to a chronic medical condition, his system just "gave out" one day, and he collapsed. When he woke up from a coma, his legs "didn't work," and he faced surgery and months of physical therapy. Six years later, Father Downs recalls that as a time when he thought he was going to die.

Staying active

According to him, it is a life that he believes the Holy Spirit has led him to, a path that is very different from the hectic schedule he was accustomed to when he was actively involved in parish ministry.

"I have developed a daily agenda that keeps me pretty busy," he told The Evangelist. He devotes a large amount of time to prayer. Not just random prayer but, as Father Downs terms it, "prayers of atonement. I pray for family, friends and acquaintances."

Brother priests

"I try just to keep in touch with our diocesan priests through the telephone, and by writing letters and notes to them," he explained. "I write to them when they are sick or when they have a birthday or anniversary. I correspond with them on pertinent Church issues or sometimes just keep in touch. I want them to know they are remembered, especially now.

"I also keep in close touch with my family and friends by using the telephone. We try to 'get together' as often as possible," he said.

Catholic Charities

"I was the first priest to be ordained by Bishop William Scully in 1945," he remembers, recalling that "at that time, Bishop Scully had been appointed co-adjutor bishop under Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons," who was ailing.

After completing graduate studies at The Catholic University in Washington, D.C., Father Downs returned to Albany with a master's degree in social work and began working with Catholic Charities in various roles, becoming its diocesan director in 1971.

"In my years with Catholic Charities, I met some very interesting and memorable people," he said. "In those days, we were a small agency. Our main job was to try to get offices established in the outlying areas. I remember working very hard to help establish offices in Warren, Washington, Saratoga and Montgomery counties. It was a time of expansion and hard work."

Bishops he's known

(06-27-02) [[In-content Ad]]