Pat McAteer, SJ
Pat McAteer, SJ

Called

Born March 15, 1936 
Entered August 21, 1964

Resides Chicago, IL

I was fifteen years old when I first met the Jesuits. They were giving the annual retreat in my home town, Newry, Nr. Ireland. I felt called to be a Jesuit, but I was too young. “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.” But not just yet. I forgotabout the call, but God remembered.

God called me to Canada. That same year He called me to the USA. Four months later “Uncle Sam” called me into his army. Three years later he recalled me to defend the Berlin Wall. Finally, God called me into the Society of Jesus.

In 1964 I entered the Novitiate with thirty-eight young men eager to please Jesus. I had been out of school eleven years and was eager to learn. But, “What if I don’t do well in studies, will I get vows?” I received vows.

      
The 60’s and 70’s were confusing times. Vatican II had ended. Pope John XXIII opened the Church windows for fresh air and many priests and religious walked out.

A reckless freedom challenged world authority: Woodstock and free love symbolized it: “Jesus Christ” was a “Superstar” and “just a man;” The Beatles claimed to be more popular than God, and pot-smoking provided the incense. Its idiocy strengthened my call. I persevered.

Today, I wouldn’t change one iota of my life. Were I to do so, I’d be afraid I might not be where I am – in the Company of Jesus and his friends.



CELEBRATING 75 YEARS IN THE SOCIETY
John Kleinhenz, SJ

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS IN THE SOCIETY
R. Gerard Albright, SJ John Bernbrock, SJ Matthew Creighton, SJ
James O’Reilly, SJ   Ralph Talkin, SJ

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN THE SOCIETY
William Bichl, SJ Leo Cachat, SJ Francis Canfield, SJ
M. Joseph Casey, SJ Anthony Dagelen, SJ Frederick Deters, SJ
Norman Dickson, SJ John Foley, SJ William Gerut, SJ
Justin Kelly, SJ George Lane, SJ Patrick Murphy, SJ
Richard Murphy, SJ Theodore Ross, SJ John Saliba, SJ
Charles Stang, SJ George Traub, SJ Richard Twohig, SJ
James Von Tobel, SJ James Warosh, SJ Robert Welsh, SJ

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN THE SOCIETY
Patrick Fairbanks, SJ Benjamin Jimenez, SJ Tuan Le, SJ
John Moriconi, SJ Renzo Rosales, SJ Charles Sim Teck Kim, SJ
  Neal Wilkinson, SJ  

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN THE PRIESTHOOD
Vincent Hagarman, SJ William Kelly, SJ Edward Sthokal, SJ
  Earl Weis, SJ  

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN THE PRIESTHOOD
Robert Bireley, SJ J. Peter Carey, SJ Gerald Cavanagh, SJ
John Chandler, SJ John Chandler, SJ J. Leo Klein, SJ
Richard Murphy, SJ Gerald Regan, SJ John Wambach, SJ