From The Reader: Brother James Dowd Gave Up Show Biz to Run a Monastery in Omaha
Leo Adam Biga of The Reader wrote an excellent article about our Prior, Br. James Dowd, excerpted below:
In going from the stage to the sacred to meet people where they’re at, Brother James Dowd founded the Midwest’s first Episcopal monastery, Incarnation, in 2018. This monastic enclave at 3020 Belvedere Blvd. in northeast Omaha centers on prayer, service and addressing hunger.
Dowd grew up Catholic in Queens, New York. Early religious studies led him to The Passionists order. But a summer job stage managing, casting, directing shows at Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg, Virginia, where his family moved, sparked a new life. Stage veterans praised his “director’s eye.” He studied drama and arts management, directing musicals and plays in Washington, D.C., then off-off-off Broadway in New York…