Editor’s Note: Father Joseph A. Jacobi responded to The Gospel Truth’s request for information with this informal biography which he said was too long and should be edited. We think not. It tells us a great deal about our pastor.
I was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, along with my twin sister, Ann, on November 20, 1963, to Andrew and Mary Jacobi. Ann and I were baptized by Fr. Cletus Bash on December 1, 1963, at Our Lady of Perpetual Halp Catholic Church in Sterling, Oklahoma. I have two younger brothers, David and Martin, and a younger sister, Maureen. My dad raised peanuts and cotton on a farm outside Sterling. In 1969 he sold the family farm and we moved to Lone Grove where dad took up carpentry. I attended school in Lone Grove from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating from high school in 1982. During my years in Lone Grove, I attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ardmore, where I received my First Holy Communion and Confirmation. After high school, I went on to college at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant.
After two years at SOSU, I decided to explore a call I felt toward the priesthood and so entered Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri in August, 1984. During the summer of 1985, while working at the Catholic Pastoral Center and taking summer classes at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond, I attended daily Mass several times at St. Eugene’s while on my way to Edmond for classes.
I graduated from Conception Seminary College with a B. A. in Social Sciences in 1987. I then went on for my theological studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D. C. While on assignment at the Cathedral (CUA) in the summer of 1987, I came to know Fr. Bill Pruett who was serving as associate pastor there. I then spent the summer of 1988 under Fr. Bill Pruett’s tutelage at the parishes in Hobart and Mangum. I received my M. A. in theology from CUA in May, 1989, after which I spent the summer in Mexico studying Spanish. I then went to Christ the King parish for a pastoral year which lasted from August 1989-May 1990. I returned to CUA for one final year of studies in preparation for my ordination. I was ordained to the priesthood along with Ray Ackerman, Carl Janocha, Chuck Murphy, Roberto Quant and Phil Seeton on June 1, 1991.
I began my priestly ministry as associate pastor of St. John the Baptist in Edmond, serving that parish from 1991-1994. During my stay in Edmond, I also was a part-time chaplain at Bishop McGuinness High School as well as campus minister for the Catholic students attending the University of Central Oklahoma. In June, 1994, I was sent to the Panhandle to serve the parishes in Guymon, Hooker and Boise City. After three years as an associate pastor in the panhandle, I was appointed pastor in June, 1997 of Prince of Peace Church in Altus and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Hollis.
I enjoy reading, travelling, and playing just about any sport imaginable. Since my mother was a physical education teacher, I learned many different sports at a young age. I especially enjoy playing softball, golfing and snow skiing.