Father Patrick Lyons, pastor of Our Lady of Knock Parish in Calumet City, looks up homily hints on the computer in the rectory on May 3. Lyons has been a computer enthusiast since the 1980s working on some of the first personal computers made. The priest is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his ordination this year. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
He is: Father Patrick Lyons, pastor of Our Lady of Knock Parish, Calumet City. (Thought to be the only parish worldwide named for the Marian shrine in Knock, Ireland.) Former pastor of Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park. He will celebrate his 40th anniversary of priesthood May 13 with his class. South Side roots: “My parents were born in Ireland, in Clare and Mayo, but met here.” He grew up in St. Kilian Parish, the oldest of six children. He jokes, “If you’re Irish you’re either a policeman or a priest. My dad was the policeman so I became the priest. Dad was a patrolman all his life by choice because he knew the area and people.” Mom stayed home raising the family. He attended Quigley North for three years and is among the first graduating class at Quigley South. He went on through Niles College and Mundelein, with ordination in 1970. Vietnam and Kent State were in the headlines. “The era colored my priesthood. I probably have more of a liberal background. I support our troops but I much prefer that they would be home.” Working his way through seminary: “I had summer jobs as a milkman for Hamilton Dairy. I was in the best shape possible running up and down stairs with a couple gallons of milk in my hands. You actually drove standing up because you got in and out of the truck so often.” Pastoring style: The neighborhood in Calumet City is integrated today. “Parishioners are Hispanic, African-American and 75 percent Anglo.” His church needed roof work recently so he said: “When our building maintenance fund reaches $9,000 I’ll make it $10,000. When it reaches $19,000 I’ll add another thousand.” He connects with parishioners. “During my years of ministry one of my efforts has been that of ‘presence.’ Whatever activity is going on, I’ll try to be there. I’m at one of the church doors after all Sunday Masses.” He rolls up his sleeves. Has chopped onions, set up parish carnival booths, and called bingo numbers at parish picnics. “As pastor here, I’m usually part of the cleanup committee after an event.” Parish life in the future: “With the shortage of priests, parishes are going to interact with each other more and more.” Instead of duplicating activities, several parishes in his vicariate have cooperated in using one or another church to host liturgical events, like Lenten confessions or Divine Mercy devotions, with “encouraging” results. Homily ideas: He usually reads through four newspapers a day, besides “Footprints on the Mountain” by Roland J. Faley. Down time: This pastor is a computer buff. “Back around 1983 at St. Eugene’s I started out with a Kaypro computer — no hard drive, just floppy disks. It was great for creating a database and form letters.” He’s kept up with cyber advances. He also records favorite TV programs and eventually gets to unwind and watch them. “My sister and I have a cottage in Michigan, so that’s my getaway from doorbells and phones.” Motto: “You see it at sporting events — Jn 3:16. It keeps me going. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’”