by Gordon Nary
Gordon: When did you attend Borromeo College of Ohio, what degree did you earn, and what is one of your favorite memories of when you were there?
Patrick: I studied at Borromeo College Seminary from 1977 to 1981. I majored in Philosophy with some very good priests as my professors. I also minored in Religious Studies and history and took some Latin, Greek, Spanish, French and German along with other courses.
We had a strong sense of community based around the Eucharist. I developed many friendships there. I was president of the student senate during my senior year.
Gordon: When did you attend Maryknoll Society and what did you study there?
Patrick: After Borromeo College seminary I studied for two years at St Mary Seminary , the diocesan theologate for the Cleveland Diocese. And then transferred to the Maryknoll Society where I spent a year in the novitiate in Cambridge Massachusetts and then spent a semester at Maryknoll Seminary in Ossining New York. I had some regular seminary courses along with extra classes in Catholic Social Teaching and mission theology and cross cultural theology
Gordon: When did you attend Cleveland State University, what degree did you earn, who was your favorite teacher, and why was that teacher your favorite?
Patrick: I attended Cleveland State University part time during the 1990’s, earning a masters degree (M.Ed.) In counseling. Dr Karl Rak was my favorite professor because he was highly intelligent, well versed and really paid attention to all of the students and everything that was said and done in class.
Gordon: When did you attend St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland, Ohio, what degree did you earn, what was your favorite course, and why was that course your favorite?
Patrick: I first attended St Mary from 1981-1983, and later returned part time after leaving Maryknoll. I earned an MA. in Catholic Systematic Theology in 1987, focusing on Catholic Theological Anthropology
Gordon: You were a Seminarian at Maryknoll Missionaries for a year. What led you to end your seminarian studies?
Patrick: I discerned that celibacy was probably not my calling
Gordon: When were you a Teacher at Holy Name High School and what courses did you teach?
Patrick: I taught at Holy Name from 1985-1989, teaching Catholic Theology. I taught Catholic Spirituality, Catholic Social Teaching and Scripture
Gordon: When and where did you serve as an Employment and Training Specialist and what were your primary responsibilities?
Patrick: I was an Employment and Training Specialist for Cuyahoga County Ohio from 1991 to 1994. I helped people on public assistance to develop employability plans including referring people for classes to complete their high school diploma , job training classes, volunteer work experiences and job search groups
Gordon: Whey did you serve as Campus Minister at the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland and what did you enjoy most about your work?
Patrick: I was a diocesan campus minister from 1994 to 1996. As a member of the diocesan team I had primary responsibility at one college, while also being part of the ministry at several others. As a team we put on multi campus retreats
Gordon: When did you serve as Director of Campus Ministry at Ursuline College and what is one of your most memorable experiences when you were there?
Patrick: I was Director of Campus Ministry at Ursuline from 1996 to 2000. I helped to bring back campus liturgies and worked to integrate Catholic Social Teaching, including the right to life into the life and curriculum of the school.
Gordon: When did you serve as a teacher at Trinity High School and what courses did you teach?
Patrick: I taught Scripture and Church History at Trinity from 2000-2003
Gordon: Tell us about your work at Bryant and Stratton College.
Patrick: at Bryant and Stratton I taught Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assisting and Health Care Law and Ethics
Gordon: What did you enjoy most when you were a Team Associate T Positive Education Program?
Patrick: I enjoyed helping young people suffering from mental illness and trauma to find their footing in order to have the chance at developing a positive life
Gordon: What were your primary responsibilities when you were Pastoral Associate Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fremont, Ohio?
Patrick: At Sacred Heart I taught RCIA, visited the sick at home, in nursing homes and in the hospital, visited the men in the Sandusky County Jail, led a Bible Study at the local community college, started a parish bereavement program, planned funerals and many other things as needed
Gordon: What was you most memorable experience when you served as Hospice Chaplain Protem Healthcare?
Patrick: Being introduced to hospice care, including serving the poor. The varying levels of faith and doubt among the dying were striking
Gordon: When were you a Volunteer Pro Life Campaign County Dublin, Ireland and what were some of the challenges that you had to address?
Patrick: Our son Michael worked with me along with mostly local Irish volunteers and some other foreigners like us to help get out mailings of materials to our volunteers throughout the 26 counties. Seeing the force of the pro-abortion groups was disheartening, while seeing the commitment of the pro-life people is still encouraging even though we lost that battle
Gordon: Where do you serve as a Board Member?
Patrick: I am currently a member of the Lorain County Mental Health and Addictions Recovery Services Board and the Lorain County Fair Housing Board
Gordon: You are currently Spiritual Care Coordinator at Heartland Hospice. What services to you provide the patients?
Patrick: My patients range across the religious spectrum, from atheist and agnostic to Hindu, Buddhist and New Age to Muslim, Jewish, Protestant , Orthodox and varying levels of Catholic practice. I get to know the people, listening and learning about them and their beliefs, pray with them, read Scripture with Christian and Jewish patients, try to involve their priests, ministers, etc., in their care, and bring Holy Communion to Catholic patients
Gordon: How has your work prepared you to better understand the dying process and the spiritual needs of people who are dying?
Patrick:: I have come to realize more deeply that we are all on that same road but that the spiritual needs depend to great extent on how people have been living their lives and how long they have been around. A 98 year old widow with a supportive family has different felt needs than a 36 year old who is engaged to be married or a 40 year old Mom with kids in school. I never meet boring people who are dying.
Gordon: Thank you for an exceptional interview and the video that you sent us.