1917-2014
WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE FOR BROTHER PATRICK PHILLIPS, FSC
Given by Brother Timothy Ahern
April 16, 2014
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Joseph’s Church, Beltsville, MD
In September, 1962, I was a freshman at West Philadelphia Catholic High School. At 5 feet 4inches tall and 115 pounds, I knew that I wasn’t a football player. The word went out that the team was looking for a few managers. I later realized that “manager” was a fancy name for “water boy.” As I approached the locker room I had my first encounter with Brother Gabriel of Mary. He barked out at me: “And what’s your name?” I sheepishly answered: “Timmy Ahern, Brother.” His reply: “Well, Timmy Ahern, come in here and polish those football shoes.”
The last time I saw Pat was at De La Salle Hall the Sunday before he died. After Mass on few occasions I would wheel him back to his room and he would ask me to turn on Fox news for him. I never did have the heart to tell him that I was a loyal Democrat!
For seven decades, Pat Phillips taught and nurtured young men. He accompanied young men before World War II, after the war, during the 50s and the turbulent 60s, and so on. No matter the time period, Pat knew that young men needed to know they were loved by God, were good people, and that their future was bright.
Throughout it all, Pat touched their hearts in ways that only they and their God would remember.
Pat loved his God, loved the Brothers, loved his family, and loved his students. It goes without saying that, being born on March 17 and named Patrick Joseph, his love of all things Irish is not to be forgotten.
I pray that when I hopefully gain my eternal reward, Pat will be waiting for me and once again say, “Well Timmy Ahern, come in here and we can polish those football shoes together.”
May he rest in peace.
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Br. Patrick Phillips, FSC
Born Patrick Joseph Phillips in Scranton, PA, on March 17, 1917
Entered the Ammendale, MD, Juniorate on August 30, 1932, and Novitiate on June 18, 1935
Received the Religious Habit and Name, Brother Gabriel of Mary, on September 7, 1935
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Ammendale, MD, in 1942
Br. Patrick died at De La Salle Hall, Lincroft, NJ, on April 9, 2014
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Monday, April 14, 2014
Viewing from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-16082
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Viewing from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
La Salle Hall
6001 Ammendale Road
Beltsville, MD 20705-1202
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am
St. Joseph Church
11007 Montgomery Road
Beltsville, MD 20705
Burial in the Brothers’ cemetery to follow
Lunch at La Salle Hall
SUFFRAGES FOR OUR DECEASED BROTHER PATRICK
District: 100 masses
La Salle Hall community: 30 masses
Each community in the District: 1 mass
Brother Patrick died quietly and peacefully in the early afternoon at De La Salle Hall. May he rest in peace.
Assignments
1936-1939
scholasticate
Washington, D.C.
De La Salle College
1939-1945
teacher
Pittsburgh, PA
Central Catholic High School
1945-1947
teacher
Philadelphia, PA
La Salle College High School
1947-1948
teacher
Quebec, CANADA
Three Rivers De La Salle Academy
1948-1949
teacher
Philadelphia, PA
West Catholic Boys High School
1949-1958
teacher
Baltimore, MD
Calvert Hall College High School
1958-1959
teacher
Pittsburgh, PA
Central Catholic High School
1959-1964
teacher
Philadelphia, PA
West Catholic Boys High School
1964-1967
teacher
Arlington, VA
Bishop O’Connell Boys High School
1967-1971
teacher
Detroit, MI
De La Salle High School
1971-1993
teacher
Baltimore, MD
Calvert Hall College High School
1993-1997
resident
Baltimore, MD
Calvert Hall College High School
1997-2013
resident
Ammendale, MD
La Salle Hall
2013-2014
resident
Lincroft, NJ
De La Salle Hall