New Pastoral Associate, Patrick (Pat) Berg...Serving At The Right Hand of Father Dave

  Service above self.  This statement best defines Holy Trinity's new Pastoral Associate, Patrick (Pat) Berg, who although new to this recently-created position, is not so new to service in our very own faith community.

  Selected this past August by Father Dave as his "right-hand-man", Pat's Pastoral Associate job is one that has traditionally been done at Holy Trinity by multiple individuals.  However, returning to Holy Trinity in this new capacity after many years as an active parishioner and a trusted member of the leadership team, Pat is used to taking on multiple tasks at once.  He can be touted as the Portland Archdiocese's only Pastoral Associate/attorney, making him a unique addition to the staff.  Known for his work as a Parish Minister in Holy Trinity's RCIA, Adult Faith Education, and Baptism Preparation ministries--just to name a few--Pat finds himself continuing on a lifetime journey that has always been founded in service to others. 

  From his days at the University of Portland as Student Body President to his post graduate work as a lawyer working for those less fortunate through a Legal Aid office in Harlem, Pat has devoted his life to ministering to those around him.  His background as a Notre Dame-trained lawyer has allowed him to conduct "ministry work as a lawyer" working in New York, Vermont, New Mexico and then returning to Oregon.  Here, he still works part-time providing legal guidance in the form of the drafting of wills and trusts.  Additionally, Pat recently completed a 17-year tenure as a professor, providing academic direction to pre-law students at the University of Portland.  Finally in 2002, he completed his Masters in Theology at Mount Angel which has served as his most recent preparation to take on his next role of helping others as Pastoral Associate here at Holy Trinity.

  So what will Pat do as Pastoral Associate?  Pat joins Father Dave in providing pastoral care for the parish, which includes the liturgy, overseeing various ministries, and working with Pastoral Planning Council.  He will work to assure the parish is providing the necessary services to help us all grow in our relationship with Jesus. "While Father Dave handles the sacraments, I am here if people need someone to talk to, if they have concerns," says Pat.   "I am a good point-person for helping those who need direction and satisfaction...a moral and ethical perspective."  While his varied background illustrates a rich tapestry of past service, it is in his current role where Pat's avocation for service has been—and will be--felt the most to those in the parish.  He will provide guidance to the parish community through his official role, serving alongside the Father.  Those participating in, and being served by, the various parish ministries will feel this impact directly. 

  Indirectly, but perhaps equally as important, the entire Church will benefit from Pat's ability to engender an "enthusiasm for faith" through his leadership in the RCIA-Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults ministry.  He believes that these types of ministries help to foster a new-found excitement about the Catholic Church, an excitement that can be spread throughout the entire parish.  "It helps me to see people's enthusiasm for their faith", says Pat, who truly believes that each one of us has the ability to create and share this same energy with others via a strong relationship with spouse and family.  This is something he feels blessed to have shared with his first wife, who passed away after a 13-year battle with cancer and now with his new wife, Lois and their combined family of six children and multiple grandchildren.  "Having a good marriage is an amazing, beautiful, tremendous successful thing to enjoy and shows others 'that this is a good way to do things'", says Pat.  By living an example of service, Pat hopes that he will serve as an inspiration and energy point to the Holy Trinity parish community. 

  Clearly, we are both fortunate to have a Pastoral Associate with such a broad and rich background, and blessed to have Pat back working with Holy Trinity once again.  If you think Pat can be of any assistance to you, he can reached by e-mail at patrick@h-t.org or by calling the Holy Trinity Parish Offices at (503) 643-9528 x125.  He is also available during his office hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am to noon or by appointment for evening and weekend meetings.

Saturday: 5:30 pm

Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:15 am
Mon-Fr: 8:15 am
in the chapel; Wed in the Church.

Holy Days: 8:15 am, 7:00 pm

Reconciliation
Saturday: 4-5 pm