Determination: Energy for the Way

Affectionately known as Father Paddy, he loved everything Irish, and was a man of many talents. Born on August 14, 1959, in West Homestead Pennsylvania, he attended St Mary Magdalene School where he served as an altar boy. At Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Paddy excelled in both athletics and academics. Today, Fr. Patrick Rager’s picture hangs in their alumni hall of fame. In 1981, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University where he studied theology and psychology. While attending Duquesne, he earned his emergency medical technician certificate and served in the Air Force Reserves for two years achieving the rank of lieutenant. In the same year, he earned a master’s degree in theology from Christ the King Seminary in New York and a master’s degree in clinical psychopathology from St Bonaventure University in New York. On May 11, 1985, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Anthony Bevilacqua at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St Sylvester in Brentwood, a Pittsburgh suburb, where he served from 1985 to 1987.

The first sign of illness appeared when he was a seminarian. His knee gave out during a baseball game. More falls and weakening lead to many medical tests and several misdiagnoses. Finally, after fifteen years, a diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a slow and fatal paralysis, was made. Father Paddy’s condition deteriorated and in 1987, he moved into an apartment in his parent’s home. His priesthood changed direction there. Although he was confined to a wheelchair and eventually bedridden, he did not stop serving others. He wrote articles for Catholic publications. He developed a telephone and mail ministry that offered prayer, support, encouragement and counseling for persons with disabilities. After an article about him appeared in a national Catholic newsweekly, this ministry expanded to people in different areas of the world. Even with his many physical limitations, Father Paddy’s priesthood was incredibly alive and strong. His great love for Jesus showed in Father Paddy’s joyful attitude. He would flash a radiant smile and his dark eyes lit up when a joke or funny story was afoot. He enjoyed watching football games on TV, especially when his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, played. He focused on the lighter side of things, the goodness of life, and rarely complained. He was more concerned about hearing what others had to say than talking about himself. His strong devotion to Mary was revealed in his attentiveness and readiness to offer hope. He wrote: “Storms arrive in all of our lives with some regularity. Many times they arrive without warning. They test our strength and resolve. In these difficult circumstances, we must remember that Jesus is in the boat with us on this chaotic, turbulent sea of life, just as he was in the boat with the apostles, calming them as he rebuked the winds and the waters. For the moment, he may appear silent, but he never forsakes us.” A priest wrote to him: “Perhaps you have been selected as a martyr witness to many of the rest of us who should be better priests.” When he could no longer speak, he wrote using eye movements and a computer screen. Father Paddy’s priesthood was used in a way he could not have imagined at ordination. On the 20th of July 2010, at the age of fifty, he went home to Jesus from the home where he was born and raised.

Father Paddy exemplified determination, in prayer, in service and in suffering. No matter what negative events came his way, and they were powerful and life changing, he never gave up. He rose above his physical limitations and with great faith and love showed others God’s love. His praise of, and love for, God went beyond happy clappy hymns or upbeat good feelings. He would smile in agreement with Teresa of Avila’s words, “When we accept what happens to us, and make the best of it, we are praising God.”  

Father Paddy’s life was a sacrifice of praise. Like him, we can offer praise to God when difficulties come our way. We set aside our own feelings of distress relating to hardship, disappointment, heartbreak, failure or other adversities, offer the negative event to God and remain grateful for his goodness, love, and mercy. Like Father Paddy we never give up on God, no matter what happens. Teresa of Avila pushes us forward.

It should be observed that perfect love of God consists not in those delights, tears and sentiments of devotion that we generally seek, but in a strong determination and keen desire to please God in all things, and to promote His glory.

Determination supports us through tough times and the dangerous trends in society. When we focus on Christian values, we are no longer enamored by getting and using wealth, power, control, or other aspects that restrict our life with God. Nor do we give in to being mediocre, lackadaisical, apathetic, or doing nothing beyond what we are asked or required to do. Such behaviors promote low self esteem and an inability to create goals, which are not characteristics of a determined Christian.

On Goals

Trying to achieve our goals develops from determination. Our most important goal is to get to heaven and help others get to heaven, which is a goal beyond the confines of this world. If our eternal goal remains constant, and our determination remains stable, we will reach our heavenly homeland. However, there are concerns about temporal goals. It is important to have goals, and big ones are just as important as small ones. Whatever the size, they keep us moving forward. We also understand that goals can be adjusted, changed, delayed, adapted to new circumstances, replaced or cancelled if we undergo life changes or advance in years. Options are available to the degree in which we are able to participate in them. Choosing a goal depends on our energy, time, money and availability. Experiencing life as a journey keeps goals in a proper perspective. Because they are not written in stone, our goals are flexible. The most important benefit of goal making is what we learn in the process of achieving that goal. How has the process enriched our lives? Through prudent planning and doing things as well as we can, the golden thread of God’s graces and the multi colored threads of our goals can form intriguing patterns, some of which we could never be imagined.

The Strength of Prudence

The twists and turns of life on this earth bring prudence into the determination arena. Prudence is essential and flows in partnership with determination. “Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; ‘the prudent man looks where he is going.’ (Proverbs 15:14). . . . Prudence is ‘right reason in action,’ writes St. Thomas Aquinas. . . . (It) guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.” (CCC 1806)

Energy from determination moves us into perilous situations and prudence keeps our eyes open to obstacles that could impair our Christian well being. It helps us discern when to speak or be quiet, when to act or refrain from acting, when to help others or teach them how to help themselves. It teaches us to pay attention to accurate information, good sense, intuition, and prompts from the Holy Spirit. It warns us to shun media ads and web sites that allure, entice, tantalize, or are emotionally charged. Custody of the eyes, and mind, is important. By not looking at billboards, screens, ads, and other devices that support subjects that tempt, we avoid thoughts that result from them. When listening to any topic expert, we ask if he or she is trying to arouse an emotional state. Is the information presented in a balanced, calm way that leads to reflection and evaluation, or are slanted words used that rouse strong emotions, promote a particular negative viewpoint or bias, or push an agenda?

We must be prudent in words and actions when dealing with strangers. Determination generates a boldness that promotes going the extra mile and prudence guides our steps, or stops them in the face of absurd situations. We are thoughtful regarding our decisions. We pause to consider our options before acting on them and use our time, talents, and treasures wisely. Life is uncertain so we prepare by identifying and taking care of temporal concerns when our mind and emotions are calm and our confidence as Christians is stable.

Like Father Paddy said, even though Jesus appears to be asleep at times, he is still in our boat no matter what storms come our way. We believe Jesus is with us and he will see us through whatever happens. To help us carry out this quest, we turn to a Jewish layman who lived determination in an exceptional way. He was the premier example of what it means to be resolute and courageous. He faced challenges and circumstances no other man experienced. He is, and always will be, the greatest male saint. “In the midst of violence and strife he was a shelter sure, a shield of safety to protect the Child and Maiden pure. As Jesus grew St. Joseph taught the way of peace and prayer, and kept him safe, encircled round with walls of manly care. We are in serious times again, we need a father’s hand, St. Joseph rise in power now with strength in your command. Teach us the ways of peace and prayer, be walls of might today, be guardian and shelter strong and keep us safe, we pray.” (Carmelite Monastery, Terre Haute)