As we continue to welcome the new Lay members who made their first formal commitments in November 2021, we’re pleased to introduce Pattie Duff.
Pattie worked at the University of Pittsburgh for 45 years and retired in 2012. She is a long-time member of St. Stephen's parish in Hazelwood, PA, and has been a resident of Hazelwood for over 72 years. Pattie serves as a Eucharistic Minister, a greeter, and a Sacristan who has also taken Eucharist to homebound seniors.
At St. Stephen’s, Pattie was introduced to the Spiritans and their mission by Fr. Vince Stegman and then Fr. Dan Walsh. Fr. Dan introduced her to the Lay Spiritan Community specifically. She made her formal commitment as a Lay Spiritan on November 15, 2021, with the approval of then-Provincial Fr. Jeff Duaime, C.S.Sp.
In her letter of commitment, Pattie wrote: "The idea of radical welcome to make all feel welcome is what I have done all my life. I enjoy meeting and welcoming new people to our church and have done that for most of my adult life."
That welcoming spirit is noticed by local children who call Pattie “the Pittsburgh grandmother,” a role she loves. She has a sister and a brother and has had 6 dogs in the family. Her current dog is a Rottweiler/Boxer.
A prayer that’s special to Pattie is “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” This is a prayer that she prayed with her mom every night and still says before she goes to bed each night. She loves the prayer and it keeps her in touch with her mother.
We are so glad to welcome Pattie to the Spiritan family.