By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Hudson – Father Joe Rodrigues has covered lots of ground, both in career paths and geographical regions. His journey always includes music.
Since being ordained in 1993, he has frequently returned to his hometown of Hudson to officiate Christmas Masses featuring a holiday carol at St. Michael Church. Now stationed in Milwaukee, he’s looking forward to this year’s visit.
“Looking out into the congregation, I’ll see parents of my friends, people I grew up with, classmates and their children, and their children’s children,” he said. “That very much captures the Christmas spirit.”
Rodrigues cherishes early hometown memories. At age 5, he was chosen to participate in the Our Lady of Fatima Feast dressed as Francisco Marto, one of the three shepherd children who reportedly experienced apparitions.
“Particularly in my culture, I was very excited to walk in the procession,” he recalled. “When the day came, I wound up getting a bad case of chickenpox. I was so disappointed, but fortunately I was asked to do it the following year. It was a lesson in patience for me.”
He felt honored when the Hudson Portuguese Club invited him to participate in the feast’s 70th anniversary in 2009.
“All the memories came back of good food, singing and dancing,” he said. “Certain traditions continue because they still touch the heart of the people and help to cultivate them as a faith community.”
His first musical influence came from his parents Clara and Jose Rodrigues, longtime church choir members. The interest continued throughout 12 years of school taught by Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
“I really started enjoying music when a sister introduced us to more contemporary songs in the seventh grade,” he said. “Then I saw the power of music at Hudson Catholic High (HCH). My class was such a diverse group and music was the glue that kept us united.”
Rodrigues was cast in school musicals and performed with a band that won regional competitions.
After graduating from HCH in 1974, he studied at Boston College and transferred to the University of San Francisco, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications. He also attended the American Conservatory Theatre, which led to television and stage bookings.
“While pursuing the acting, I got a job in advertising,” he explained. “It didn’t have the passion around it that I needed. I ended up doing a lot of philanthropic work, volunteering with the homeless and the developmentally disabled. Basically, I was doing social justice ministries.”
It wasn’t the first time Rodrigues felt drawn toward ministries.
“I call God ‘the annoying telemarketer,’” he joked. “Looking back, the call had come at various points in my life. It was amazing when I finally surrendered to the idea.”
Rodrigues received a master’s of divinity degree in pastoral ministry at the Graduate Theological Union in Berklee.
“I met the Salvatorians, an international religious order who encourage using your gifts within a sundry of ministries,” he explained. “I felt compelled to join them and that’s a big reason why things have evolved so well.”
He has naturally incorporated his musical gift into his ministries.
“It’s an opportunity to minister without being heavy handed,” he said. “It was encouraging to learn to do this in a way that’s entertaining, yet profound.”
Rodrigues has recorded four CDs of inspirational music including “Spirit of Christmas.” Proceeds benefit the Jordan Outreach Ministries. They can be ordered by calling 414-258-1735; or online at jordanministry.org, click “Online Store.”
The CDs will also be available after Rodrigues officiates Masses Wednesday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 25, 10:30 a.m., downstairs at St. Michael Church, 21 Manning St.