The Parish Under Father Pat

Looking back at the eleven and a half years he's been at Precious Blood, Father Pat says, "I don't know where the time has gone." He admits to "down days" and knows that he could have asked for an easier job, but says, "I have no regrets. Being here at Precious Blood has been a blessing."

When talking to parishioners about Father Pat's contributions to Precious Blood, his emphasis on stewardship and outreach into the community is mentioned over and over. "He set us up as a stewardship parish and got it to where it is today;' says Tom Cardea, who joined the parish about the same time Father Pat did. "It makes us function a lot better than other churches." Father Pat encourages each parishioner to use his or her time, talent and treasures and found willing volunteers in John Moyik and his late wife Rosemary. Already involved in a number of activities when he arrived, the Moyiks approached Father Pat the idea of a baptismal ministry, which continues today. Having done this in their previous parish, they'd discovered many new parents didn't understand the meaning behind the sacrament. "We'd meet with the parents and godparents and talk to them about the holy water, the candle being the light of Christ, the reason the baby wears white garments," says John, who continues giving back by now heading the columbarium committee.

If a parishioner doesn't know his or her particular talent, Father Pat probably does. How many times have parishioners said, "you can't say 'no' to Father Pat"? Says Si Bula, "He is a great people person and knows what parish assignment fits the right person:' The message of giving back to the church was important to David Gleaton. Donating his company's services in maintaining the church's grounds "is my way of giving back to the Lord for all my blessings," says David. "The Lord has given much to me:' "He's a wonderful role model for a priest;' comments Rose Dancu who has taught sixth graders in CCD for several years. "Father Pat comes by almost every Sunday and talks with each child. I had never heard of that before, and I've taught CCDfor a long time." Rose says she's asked Father Pat to give her students a tour of the church. "He meets them in the narthex, shows them the sacristy and his office, the confessional, the altar and behind the altar where the lay ministers gather. All the time he's describing things, the different colors and symbols, and answering questions:' Rose adds, "We talk about creating a safe environment for our children. Father Pat is the epitome of a safe environment."

His ministry is not confined to the church campus either. Father Pat joined the Pawleys Island-Litchfield Ministerial Association and saw ways Precious Blood could interact with its Protestant brethren. Although Lenten Services were already being held, he thought more could be done and asked Millie Cafcules to head an ecumenism subcommittee under Outreach. After sponsoring an ecumenical prayer service following the September 11, 2001 tragedy, Father Pat wrote the local ministers in November, 2001, encouraging increased ecumenical worship opportunities on the Waccamaw Neck. With representatives from the other churches joining in, the first Lenten service was held at Precious Blood in 2002. While Outreach has been an important component of the parish since it was founded, the way this ministry has expanded during Father Pat's administration is his greatest contribution to the community, in Dana Arneman's opinion. Whether it's his lunch kitchen or working with other charitable organizations or bringing the U.S.Army Chorus to Pawleys Island each fall, Outreach has brought Father Pat into contact with many people, of all faiths, in the community. "Wherever I go with him, he doesn't know a stranger; even those people who don't live here;' says Dana. "Everyone knows him or knows of him and he knows them."

In Si Bula's opinion, Father Pat's greatest attribute "is the way he has dedicated his life to taking care of the sick, the poor; the dying and bereaving families. He never says 'no' to anyone needing a priest regardless of denomination." Those words are confirmed by Tom Cardea who says Father Pat's visits to the sick "really pick up people's spirits:' Parishioner and cardiologist Victor Diaz, M.D.,agrees: "Father Pat has always been there to provide comforting spiritual support to those who are sick in our parish:' He's with sick parishioners at their homes or in the hospitals "at the time they need him the most;' Victor adds. "Everyone has gifts," says Father Pat, acknowledging that one of his is working with the sick, a job that takes a lot of his time and energy.

Of his eleven-plus years here, he says he wouldn't change anything. "I'm doing what the good Lord wants me to do to serve the needs of the parish and community:'