Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Andre Bessette Parish:
Please allow me to (re)introduce myself! My name is Father Pat Hannon, CSC. Beginning July 1, 2024, I will be working and residing at St. Andre’s. Long-timers might remember that I had the good fortune of living and working aside Fr. Richard Berg, CSC, here back in the mid-90’s. This holy spot that sits on the corner of 6th and Burnside (the place where hope and gratitude intersect in gritty and graceful ways) played a hugely important role in my life as a young priest. It was here I learned, among many things, of the power of God’s love—enfleshed in Jesus—that has no rival, a love that finds its greatest expression in mercy and compassion. Now, almost 30 years later, I return with great joy, grateful for the opportunity to pray with you, to celebrate with you, and to join you in the most sacred work of healing the heart of Portland.
Over the last three decades, I’ve been a parish priest in Colorado, a teacher and principal at our high school outside of Chicago, and an English professor at the University of Portland. I’ve also had the opportunity to write over the last twenty years. I’ve had several collections of essays published—mostly focusing on those questions that arise in our lives of faith as we continue to make our way on our spiritual journey. And now I’m back home. As I write this from my desk on the third-floor residence of Saint Andre’s, I can hear once again the sounds of a city at work—trucks and cars lumber past our doors, the MAX streetcar chimes almost exuberantly as it makes its way into Old Town. I hear the rhythmic hum of industry. Twenty yards down the sidewalk from our doors a new tent has arisen. Its resident—and all the others who make their homes near us inside and outside: they are my neighbors now—our neighbors. I try to say hello to every one of them when I pass them, when they catch my eye. I hope they see me as their neighbor now too. They are hurting in so many ways. My one hope now is that the wounded Christ in me will see the wounded Christ in them, and in that brief encounter, God will knit us—mysteriously—together.
I am so looking forward to meeting you all and coming to know you as family. Know of my daily prayers for you. See you at church!