Spotlight: David "Dave" Dorn

Which of the following is true about Dave?

1. His favorite color is purple.

2. His birthday is Dec. 13, the same as Taylor Swift.

3. He was married on June 4, which is Angelina Jolie’s birthday.

4. He owns a ferret.
   

Meet Dave Dorn – Faithful, Humble Parish Partner at SJE

Dave, his wife Jennifer, and their daughter Maddie have been part of the St. John the Evangelist (SJE) family for about ten years, having joined when Maddie was preschool age. A lifelong Catholic, Dave was baptized at Our Lady of Grace in Highland, attended St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville for grade school, and graduated from Andrean High School in Merrillville. Though he drifted from regular practice for a time in young adulthood, his Catholic identity has always remained central to who he is.

What Dave loves most about the Catholic faith is its deep sense of tradition, the organization and structure of the Mass, and how the sacraments connect us to God throughout life’s highs and lows. At SJE, he’s found a vibrant faith community that has helped him grow—through service, prayer, and the witness of fellow parishioners.

Dave is an active and humble volunteer whose contributions typically happen behind the scenes. He serves on the Media Team—live streaming Mass. He also helps chair the SJE Festival ticket booth and serves on the fest core committee. He supports school and sports events as an assistant volleyball coach for Maddie’s team, and at sports concessions. He’s a member of the Knights of Columbus, participating in events such as the Tootsie Roll Drive, Pancake Breakfasts, and Mardi Gras. Over the years, he’s also lent a hand at Oktoberfest, with event setup and takedown.

What Dave values most about being a parish partner is the sense of belonging and the ability to contribute in meaningful ways. “At SJE, if you want to make a difference, you can step in and be part of something special,” he says.

Despite his many contributions, Dave stays modest: “I’m not super techy—if we bought a DVD player, my wife would hook it up”—Jennifer is the real tech support at home. He helps run the media booth at church, but on the home front, he’s just trying not to lose the remote!

When asked to name something special about himself, Dave drew a blank—so he turned to his family for help. Without missing a beat, they said, “Your birthday!” Turns out, Dave shares his big day—December 13—with none other than Taylor Swift. Coincidence? Probably. Something to appreciate? Sure.

When it comes to Mass and liturgical events, he has learned to focus and anticipate what’s coming, almost like knowing the next moves in a video game. “During Mass, I watch closely so I can guide the camera team. It’s all about helping others experience the liturgy more fully.” An example is knowing when the priests—such as quick-moving Father Declan McNicholas—will shift positions, and then guiding camera operators accordingly. Essentially, Dave serves as a “passive director,” maintaining control and flow. He joined the team after he was introduced to former media specialist Bob Maletta by parish partner and volunteer Dan Hollingshead. Dave loves what he does, stressing that there is so much more to the production than himself.

Dave downplays his contributions, even when they’re significant because working on events is also a family affair. His 14-year-old daughter Maddie helps run screens and does some camera work for the Media Team. And his wife is always by his side when it is Fest Time! Everything is a team with his family. Faith, service, and even the busiest weeks—like the 60-hour stretch during the parish festival—are all shared efforts. “We walk together in faith, and that’s something really special.” Dave says it means everything to know that his family is supportive and always willing to step in, even when it’s inconvenient or disrupts other parts of life. That team spirit extends beyond wife and daughter—it includes his parents and in-laws, too. “They all pitch in. My parents have started going to church again.” 

It is such a blessing to see how involvement and faith can ripple throughout an entire family! Thanks, Dave, for all you do!