The Sister Patricia Geary, CSJ Christian Service 2024 Award

Sr. Pat Geary was born in Utica, NY in 1934.  She attended St. Agnes Grammar School and Utica Catholic Academy.  Upon graduation from UCA, she joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and was a religious for 46 years until her death in the spring of 1988.  Over the years she served in the Albany and Syracuse areas as an educator, administrator, pastoral associate, Director of the Diocesan Formation of Ministry Program and Provincial Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  

Sr. Pat began her ministry at St. Augustine's in 1980.  She quickly became a catalyst for growth and change  for the parish as a whole and for the many parishioners who worked with her.  She instituted a revised RCIA process that had a great influence on those preparing for  Christian initiation.  She restructured the Pastoral Council by creating Standing Committees to increase communication.  When the Pastoral Center was planned, she accepted the responsibility for a fundraising program that emphasized community building while raising money.

Sister Pat was a woman of great faith.  She  was gifted with wisdom and insight.  These gifts, along with her strength and strong convictions, allowed her to lead others to recognize their gifts.  She offered a challenge to use these gifts to the fullest potential ("stretching" as she termed it) to minister to God's people.  

Sister Pat believed in the dignity of each person.  She advocated for the rights of all, especially women in the Church and society.  She raised the consciousness level of each person of the need for social justice and compassion for all, regardless of their position in life.  

As a leader, she educated and called each person to recognize and live out their baptismal commitment, as she herself lived out her commitment in service to others.

The parishioner who is selected will be presented with an award recognizing the values exemplified by Sister Pat: Christian service to others, a call to respect the dignity of all people and a call to participate in the social mission of the church.  This person's  service may be either at St. Augustine's, itself,  or in the  community-at-large.  The parishioner's name will also be inscribed on the permanent plaque in the Sister Pat Geary Gathering Room.  In addition, $1,000 from our parish tithing will be given to a  non-profit agency of the parishioner's choice that espouses the above values.

Eligibility: The individual must be a registered parishioner of St. Augustine's.

Nomination forms are due by February 1, 2024 at 4pm.  The award will be presented at the 5:30pm Mass on March 9, 2024.

To submit a nomination online, please complete the form below.

To submit a registration via mail, please write the answers to the questions below and mail to:
Selection Committee
St. Augustine's Pastoral Center
7333 O'Brien Road
Baldwinsville, NY 13027