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Fr. Phil Bowers, a beloved priest for more than five decades and former parochial vicar at St. Tom’s, passed away on Friday morning, Dec. 17. He was 84 years old. This Wednesday, Dec. 22, visitation will take place at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist in Fishers, IN from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit on Thursday, Dec. 23, at 11:00 a.m. and live-streamed.
A native of Philadelphia and a priest of the Maryknoll religious order, Fr. Phil came to Purdue and campus ministry work in 1972 following a remote assignment in the Philippines. He served St. Tom’s and many Purdue constituencies for more than two decades, including responsibilities in the Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH), chaplain of the Purdue football team, and chapter advisor for Theta Chi fraternity. In 1993, Fr. Phil was appointed pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, where he served until his retirement in 2014.
“Let us pray for the repose of Fr. Bowers and for comfort and consolation for all those who mourn his loss,” said Fr. Tom McDermott, OP. “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.”
Fr. Phil had an immense impact on the Boilermaker community and was even recognized by the Boiler Business Exchange and Krannert School of Management in 2015 with an award bearing his name. The annual "Father Phil Bowers Award" recognizes the heart and dedication of public servants in the non-profit sector who are working to improve the quality of life in Indiana.
President Mitch Daniels issued a public statement on Friday related to Fr. Phil’s passing. “I have just learned the sad news that we have lost Father Phil Bowers, for decades a fixture in the Purdue community and a spiritual anchor for countless Boilermakers. Few people have had the long-term impact of Father Phil, who served selflessly at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, and as an advisor to Theta Chi and other campus organizations, our student hospital, our football team, and numerous others. I know God will welcome him with a hearty well done."
Resources:
- President Daniels statement in the Lafayette Journal and Courier: https://www.jconline.com/story/news/2021/12/17/bowers-described-his-passing-spiritual-anchor-boilermakers/6509144001/
- Purdue Exponent story
- Holy Spirit Parish at Geist website: https://www.hspgeist.org/
- Holy Spirit Parish YouTube Channel for viewing the Livestream Mass: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2yHbWP4y1-gs2cWexrsbiA
