Lowis Profile

Volunteer Profile

Bernie, Erin, Hope and Franny Lowis

The Lowis family includes Bernie and Erin and their dog Frances Elizabeth, or Franny. Just recently another member of the family has arrived. A beautiful little girl, now almost a year old. Bernie and Erin traveled to China to pick up little Hope in February.

Needless to say they are thrilled to have this little addition to the Lowis family. Hope will be visiting St. Joseph Villa on Sundays for worship service along with the rest of the clan. It’s always good to bring a little hope to the residents and Bernie and Erin are literally doing that. (Excuse my humor).

The Lowis’ have been volunteering with Desert Ministries for about eight years now. They are both extremely talented musicians. Bernie plays piano and guitar and Erin plays the violin. Franny, well, she plays with the residents. What an amazing trio they are.

The residents at St. Joseph Villa pack the day room every Sunday morning to sing hymns and worship. I visited St. Joseph Villa in February to interview Bernie and Erin but actually St. Joseph Villa is where I volunteer and where I had previously worked in activities. So I was familiar with the Lowis’ family and what a blessing they are to the residents. My favorite time of the week was gathering the residents for worship on Sundays.

It is such a wonderful sight and sound to see and hear the folks sing. One of our benefactors donated large print hymn books in Desert Ministries name to St. Joseph Villa so the residents have these great hymn books to sing from. No one is hesitant to put in their requests and Bernie and Erin play them all. It doesn’t matter what denomination the residents are, the hymns seem to be a universal language.

One of the residents who used to sing solos and in choir at her church is now helping lead worship at St. Joseph Villa with Bernie and Erin. The nursing staff will even join sometimes on their breaks. The beautiful music resounds through the halls on Sunday mornings. I hate to think what it would be like if Bernie and Erin weren’t there. They are such a vital part of the spiritual life there at St. Joseph Villa. And now they have brought another life into their ministry. There is such joy on the faces of the residents when children come to visit. Little Hope will be a wonderful addition to the St. Joseph family.

Bernie, Erin, Hope and Franny, we want to thank you on behalf of Desert Ministries and the residents at St. Joseph Villa for your faithful ministry throughout the years. You give up your Sunday mornings year after year to play and pray for your flock. You are an amazing example to us all showing us what serving the family of God is all about. Now you will bring your new daughter up to know what it means to be in His service too.

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