Thank You Pat!

WelCom August 2020 Sue Seconi  Parishioners gathered at Holy Family Church, Whanganui, at a vigil Mass last November to thank and farewell Pat Rhodes, a much-loved and respected parish worker…

WelCom August 2020

Much-respected parish worker Pat Rhodes (c) at his farewell Mass with Fr Marcus Francis (l) and Monsignor Gerard Burns (r). Photo: Sue Seconi

Sue Seconi 

Parishioners gathered at Holy Family Church, Whanganui, at a vigil Mass last November to thank and farewell Pat Rhodes, a much-loved and respected parish worker who was moving to Hamilton. 

Pat came to Whanganui in 2005 after teaching in Tonga. He was initially parish secretary and then parish co-ordinator. He continued as a volunteer overseeing the smooth running of ministries, supporting the priests and was the ‘go-to’ person for anything parish-related. He was awarded the Benemereti Medal in 2012. 

Pat’s cousin Monsignor Gerard Burns, Vicar General for the Wellington Archdiocese, co-celebrated Mass with then-parish priest, Fr Marcus Francis.