Celebration of ministry this Sunday, June 1, 2025
Updated May 26, 2025, at 11:17 a.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. – This Sunday, June 1, 2025, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in downtown Cullman will bid farewell to Senior Pastor Fr. Patrick Egan, O.S.B., a Priest of St. Bernard Abbey. Fr. Patrick will assume the pastorate of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Florian, near his hometown Florence, while current St. Bernard Abbey Prior Fr. Linus Klucsarits will assume the pastorate of Sacred Heart. The church will hold a farewell celebration on Sunday.
Fr. Patrick led Sacred Heart for 16 years, beginning in June 2009. During that time he has supervised over 125 repairs and upgrades to the 112-year-old facility, including:
- Roof replacement and other repairs following the 2011 tornado
- Refurbishment of the vintage German stained glass windows
- Replacement of the church’s large round stained glass rose windows
- Addition of statuary honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary and her mother St. Anne on the south and north sides of the church, respectively, with memorial pavers honoring living and deceased parish members around both
- Most recently, the purchase and installation of the church’s new pipe organ, accompanied by an extensive renovation of the choir loft/balcony
Beyond the physical plant, Fr. Patrick’s service includes over 325 baptisms, over 800 funerals and 82 weddings. He started numerous educational classes, as well.
“Being the type of fellow he is, and by that I mean his military training, he’s been sort of the ‘pied piper’ of our congregation,” said longtime parishioner Barbara Ragsdale, who is helping prepare for the farewell celebration, “and his ‘rally round the flag, boys’ attitude has provided our congregation with so many opportunities to become united in these projects.”
Fr. Patrick has also been constantly active with the faculty and students of Sacred Heart School, with Principal Shawna Norman calling him “a staunch supporter of the school and teachers.” He attended faculty meetings and visited the school at least three times a week. On occasion he even taught history to the fifth- and sixth-grade students. He held a weekly children’s Mass, during which he would come down into the aisle to converse personally with the students. During Lent he led a special observance of the Stations of the Cross, just for the students at their level of understanding, and would hear confessions in the school for the students on a very personal level. He regularly took part in the annual balloon Rosary, “shadow stations” of the Cross, and summer camps sponsored by nuns of the LIHM Sisters.
Ragsdale said, “He undeniably has impacted the lives of both the students and the staff during his tenure at Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
Fr. Patrick has actively supported the various religious organizations in the Parish.
Ragsdale shared, “A member of the Knights of Columbus, he became a Fourth Degree Knight during his time here. He has attended every meeting of the women’s Altar Society and constantly gives praise for the work of the Legion of Mary members, whom he calls his ‘right hand’ with all the work they do by visiting the sick, bringing Communion and comfort to the homebound and attending every funeral Mass in the Church. The members of all organizations in the Church have felt his love and support and pride in their accomplishments throughout the years.”
Ragsdale concluded, “I have often said, and told him so many times, that he is the first priest in my 79 years of Catholic Masses who truly brings the Mass to life for his congregation. He brings Jesus down from His Sanctuary to the Altar and he brings us up to the Altar to celebrate the Holy Mass with him and Jesus. I go to other churches, even when Bishops have celebrated the liturgy, and I don’t feel that I have attended Mass.
“Fr. Patrick has spoiled me, and I know from all the comments since we learned of his leaving, this is true for everyone in our Parish family. He has been the glue that helped form our loving relationships through the years, more so than at any other time in the past decades of Sacred Heart of Jesus, and we truly will miss this particular Servant of God.”
A life of service
The following biography was compiled by Sacred Heart Church for the celebration.
Father Patrick Egan, O.S.B., a native of Florence, Alabama, was born on September 17, 1949, to Mr. Edward P. Egan, Jr. and Mrs. Mary I. Egan. He graduated from Coffee High School in Florence in 1967 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in history and political science from the University of North Alabama known at the time as Florence State University. In 1981, he earned a Master of Science degree in counselor education from Long Island University.
From an early age, Father Patrick felt a deep calling to serve his country-aspiring to be a soldier since the age of three. After college, he began his military career by reporting to Fort Benning on June 5, 1971, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.
His career as an infantry officer quickly progressed. He served in a variety of leadership roles, including executive officer, training company commander, operations officer, tank battalion XO, infantry battalion commander, garrison commander, and, ultimately, assistant chief of staff for installation management at the Pentagon. His service took him around the globe-from Fort Benning to West Point, and to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm in the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War. After three decades of distinguished service, Father Patrick retired as a colonel in 2001.
Shortly after retirement, while briefly working in the civilian sector, Father Patrick began to hear a deeper calling. In September 2001, he entered the monastic formation program at St. Bernard Abbey. He professed his first monastic vows in the spring of 2003 and later that year enrolled at St. Vincent Archabbey to pursue studies for the priesthood. He was installed in the Ministry of Acolyte on October 10, 2005, at Saint Vincent Seminary. On June 5, 2006, he made his solemn profession of vows before Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B., and officially became Father Patrick Egan, O.S.B.
Following his ordination, Father Patrick served as manager of the Ave Maria Grotto before being appointed pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in June 2009. There, his leadership and vision brought about significant improvements to the parish grounds and facilities. Space does not allow every project to be listed, but his impact can be seen throughout the church and its surroundings each enhancement reflecting his dedication to both spiritual and community life.
Among his most notable projects was the restoration of the church’s 64 stained-glass windows in 2011. In 2013, three new rose windows closely resembling those from the original architectural plans – were installed. An elevated pulpit was also added, enhancing the beauty and tradition of the sanctuary.
Beyond the church building, Father Patrick helped cultivate sacred spaces around the parish. In a garden outside, a statue titled Our Lady of Cullman depicts the Virgin Mary cradling a young Christ Child holding a globe, symbolically watching over and praying for the town. On the north side of the church, another garden features a statue of St. Anne, the mother of Mary. Both gardens include paver bricks engraved in honor or memory of loved ones, creating a lasting tribute to family, friends, and On Palm Sunday in 2022, the parish suffered the heartbreaking loss of its century-old Austin pipe organ due to an electrical fire, In response, a campaign was launched to raise $600,000 for a new organ and for much-needed updates to the choir loft. Thanks to the dedication and generosity of the parish community, a new Austin organ was installed in December 2024, restoring music to the heart of worship. Father Patrick Egan’s journey from soldier to servant of God is a testament to a life devoted to faith, service, and leadership. His work continues to inspire and bless all those he serves.
From the incoming pastor
Fr. Linus Klucsarits, O.S.B., who will take the reins of Sacred Heart in June, wrote, “Congratulations to Fr. Patrick on his many years of service to Sacred Heart. While I know I will have mighty big shoes to fill as the new pastor, I have been so blessed in meeting the skilled and gracious staff of Sacred Heart. God bless you Fr. Patrick in your new assignment!”
A fond farewell
Ragsdale shared this farewell letter drawn up on behalf of the congregation:
Father Patrick,
As you begin a new chapter in your ministry as pastor of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Florian, Alabama, we, the faithful of Sacred Heart Parish, gather in deep gratitude for your 15 years of devoted service among us.
Your presence, leadership, and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on our community. Through your faithful guidance, our parish has grown stronger in faith, richer in beauty, and more united in spirit. Because of you, our church has been forever changed for the better.
You have walked with us through seasons of joy and challenge, always pointing us toward Christ with compassion and conviction. Whether in your inspiring homilies, your tireless ministry to the sick and homebound, or your gentle encouragement of parishioners young and old, you have been a true shepherd to our flock.
Though we will deeply miss you, we send you forth with our love, prayers, and blessings as you embrace this new assignment. May God continue to guide and bless you abundantly in your service to His people at St. Michael’s.
We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and look forward to staying in touch.
With deepest gratitude and affection,
Your Sacred Heart Parish Family
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