I was born and raised in the Portland area of Louisville, Kentucky and baptized Patricia at St. Cecilia Church were I later celebrated First Communion and Confirmation. I attended St. Cecilia School and Presentation Academy. Upon graduation in 1965, I entered the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity. At my reception into the Novitiate on August 14, 1966, I officially became Sister John Christopher of the Corpus Christi. After Religious Profession on August 15, 1967, I attended Holy Family University and Seton Hill University each for one year.
My first ministry assignment was Annunciation Parish and School in Kiln, Mississippi where I taught grades 6, 7 and 8. Also I worked with the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), parish visiting and any other work that was needed. Those six years were full of fun and activity as I learned more about community living and ministries. I was blessed to have such a wonderful Cenacle of MSBTs and to minister with our Priests and Brothers, the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (STs).
Then on to Tucker, Pearl River, Conehatta and Louisville, Mississippi where I was again blessed to live with a wonderful group of MSBTs and to minister with the STs. I experienced and learned so much through ministry with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians during my ten years there. The days (and nights) were full of teaching religious education, home visiting, and experiencing the Native American culture. The annual Choctaw Fair with stickball competition was a highlight of the year for most families.
My next four years were spent in Phenix City, Alabama at St. Patrick School where I taught and was introduced to computers- Commodore 64s- in the school computer lab and taking a computer course at the local Community College. I learned much about community living and history there where our Foundress, Mother Boniface Keasey was the first principal. I also enjoyed many visits to Holy Trinity about 20 miles “down the road a piece”.
Mobile, Alabama was my next stop for seven years where I was initially involved with foster care and adoptive placements of infants. I enjoyed working with the foster parents who so generously accepted a newborn into their care, then just as generously (but sadly) released that baby for adoption. Such self-sacrificing ministry! While in Mobile I became the Director of the Diocesan Pregnancy Center and helped the Archdiocesan Director of Catholic Social Services, one of our Sisters, to prepare a home for expectant mothers.
Upon coming North to Philadelphia, I had about four years of training in payroll, health insurance and other financial matters both on the job and through course work. For the past 25 years I have had the privilege of being the General Treasurer of our community. No two days are ever the same in this ministry. It is exciting work as financial issues are addressed, contacts are made and property challenges are met. I have the opportunity to work with our Sisters and a great staff of people in various departments.
Hopefully, you realize how blest I have been over these 60 years of being a Missionary Servant of the Most Blessed Trinity. The opportunities that I have had in living and working with wonderful people, traveling to our other properties and ministries in Connecticut, Alabama, Puerto Rico and Mexico, obtaining formal education, attending conferences, etc. I am so grateful for all of these and so much more. Throughout the years, my family has been so supportive and interested in all of this and visited each of my ministries.
Blessed be the Holy and Undivided Trinity!l