There’s a somber mood around the diocesan offices this week. Dr. Patrick Gorman, or Pat Gorman, if you will, longtime director of the diocesan Office of Worship and longtime director of the Madison Diocesan Choir has died.
If my math is correct, until his retirement a few weeks ago, he’d “been here the longest” of anyone working here currently.
His health challenges had already been limiting the amount of time he was spending at the offices, so his presence was already being missed, and now it’s official — he is missed.
It’s so easy to spew clichés at a time like this, but for as long as I knew Pat, I can honestly say he had a heart and soul for the Church.
Whether it was during the first time I met him as he explained the new translation of the Mass to a group of young adults more than a decade ago, running a training workshop for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, or providing the music for large diocesan events, such as ordinations or the Chrism Mass, I could always tell he lived, breathed, and loved the Church.
I wish I could say that about me.
I wonder if others would say that about me.
Pray for me, Pat.
Being thankful
As is part of life, we’ll all move on.
Some of us will move on professionally with new people taking over the roles that Pat had occupied, but it won’t be the same.
Many who were closer to him than I was personally, also have to move on, and that will be even more challenging and mournful.
We’ll mourn his passing.
We’ll be told and we know deep down there is the hope of the resurrection, but that doesn’t change the fact there’s a Pat-sized void that needs to be dealt with now.
Again, cliché alert, but let’s thank the Almighty for the time we had with him, albeit not enough.
To those who love him
To Pat’s family, his wife Denise and their two children, you are in my prayers. I won’t pretend or even imagine to know how you feel now or what you’re going through, but you’re in my prayers.
Pat will always be recalled fondly and with a smile. His great work and legacy will be remembered for a long time.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.