Sr. Pat McNiff, OSF, to Retire

Jul 26

When I was preparing to go on mission to Bolivia, I remember the professor telling us that “The Holy Spirit will be there before you get there.” He wanted us to know that we were not bringing God to those we would meet while on mission but that God’s presence, through the Holy Spirit, was already there and at work among them before we ever arrived.

I have thought of that line so many times when ministering with Sr. Pat. It seemed like every time I went to an event, a ministry, a Mass or a prayer service, Sr. Pat was already there. She may not have had anything to do with the ceremony or event but she was there to offer support and simply be present to everyone who was there.

A few weeks ago, Pat approached me to let me know that the time had come and that she was ready to retire. The truth of the matter is that most people would have retired 20 years earlier than Pat but that’s not our Sr. Pat. She was always ready to serve and not be served.

Although Sr. Pat is retiring from her position as Pastoral Associate, she will continue to live in the convent and be part of the parish community as a Senior-Sister-in-Residence. As such, her Franciscan Congregation will financially support her and she will do as much or as little ministry as she would like.

Sr. Pat has faithfully served the community of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and Center for over 25 years. She has led our Adult Faith Formation programs, Baptismal Preparation classes, RCIA [now OCIA] program helping those who want to enter the Catholic Church as adults. She was co-founder of Survivors of Suicide with Fr. Steve Kluge and has been chairing that support group ever since. She has been working with Fr. Kevin and the Pre-Cana team organizing the two annual Pre-Cana Weekends for our couples preparing to be married in the Church. She has led and coordinated parish mini-retreats, worked with Homily Helpers, the Book Club, helped Michele Beck with the children's choir, assisted with the Festival of the Sea each year, and Bible Study groups. She has also been a member of the Long Beach Island Community Center Board of Directors [St. Francis Community Center] for almost 20 years.

As a Sister of St Francis of Philadelphia for over 50 years her entire life has been steeped in our Franciscan Tradition. The mission statement of her congregation states that the sisters “strive to live in loving relationship and service with all people and creation … and are dedicated to bringing hope and joy to those in need…”

I want to publicly acknowledge and thank Sr. Pat for her continued witness to our Franciscan Tradition and her congregation’s mission. She has mastered the skill of bring hope and joy to everyone who is blessed to know and meet our dear, Sr. Pat.

We pray God continue to bless Pat with every and all good things. Peace and All Good.