Dodgers

Father Steve, the pastor of St. Mel Church and a familiar face here at Louisville liturgies, has a heart-warming relation to this community. Father Steve Davoren is one of, if not the biggest, Dodger fans out there. He has related many of his homilies to the team, and his office is decorated with Dodger memorabilia. Even better, his adorable dog’s name is Blue, after the Dodgers!

In 2017, before becoming Pastor at St. Mel, Father Steve was formerly Head of Vocations in Los Angeles and served as the priest for the Dodgers. On the Sundays that the Dodgers had games, Father Steve gave mass at 9 am to any Dodgers (and their families), players from the opposing teams, and stadium staff who would want to attend.

Vin Scully, who served as the main broadcaster for the Dodgers as well as grandfather of some Louisville alumnae, would lector at the masses. Scully and Father Steve built a very close bond, sharing good times with the help of God.

Some of Fr. Steve’s favorite parts of his time with the Dodgers was that “the players would come early and they would have casual conversations with [him],” and he would get free tickets for the game that day! He also had the opportunity to receive blessings from the Pope for certain masses he would do for the Los Angeles team.

Although Father Steve’s role for the Dodgers came to an end before 2020, he did share some amazing times with the team, leading them to victories and growing their relationship with God. Since 2020, those at St. Mel’s parish, and the community around it have had the honor of calling Father Steve a great pastor, and a friendly face around Louisville.

Next time you see him in the St. Louis Hall for a liturgy, make sure to say hello with a , “Let’s Go Dodgers!”