After seeing his jovial face and listening to his close-eyed sermons for 12 years, I serendipitously attended Father Patrick’s last Sunday mass at St. Bernadette Parish with the rest of the Core during SHOUT. I wasn’t even aware of the occasion until he quickly said so right before his “thank you” speech and the final blessing.

Gotta admit, my heart ached during the final hymn about how God’s Will will always take us where we are needed, and not where we are comfortable.

Thank you for allowing me to see the joy in serving Christ with the whole of your being. I first learnt from you the Lord’s contagious happiness with the smile you constantly gave others and the jokes and one-liners you’d give at my gentle expense. I love you even more for embracing the Filipino culture with your numerous vacation visits to the Philippines and even acquiring a custom-tailored Barong. But an even greater indicator of your love for my motherland is your advocacy for the mission of Gawad Kalinga and ANCOP to the point of visiting a village by being a part of Holy Cross’ mission team.

It’s only fitting that this concludes with the three words you end all of your homilies by.

I am grateful for your 12-year presence in my spiritual journey, and I know all you’ve taught me will stay with me “for all eternity.”