Patrick Joseph Fleming was born on September 23, 1912 in Belfast, Ireland, son of the late Samuel Fleming and Mary McVeety. He is survived by his brother, James, nephews and nieces. His brother, John, and his sisters, Mary (Coogan), Anna (Hayden) and Margaret, predeceased him.

Early Education

Pat attended primary school at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Bishop Loughlin High School in 1931.

Pat studied at Columbia University College of Pharmacy from 1931 to 1934, earning a Pharmaceutical Graduate degree in 1934. Pat attended St. John’s College in Brooklyn from 1934-1935.

Vincentian Formation

Pat began his studies for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s College in Princeton, NJ in 1935, earning his A.B. in 1938.

Novitiate

From 1938-1940, Pat and his class made their novitiate at St. Vincent’s Seminary, Germantown, pronouncing vows on June 17, 1940.

Mary Immaculate Seminary

Pat moved to Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, PA after vows to continue his theological studies. Ordination to the priesthood with his 18 classmates followed on May 29, 1943 in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul at the hands of Dennis Cardinal Dougherty.

Father Pat spent the summer after ordination as curate in St. Vincent’s Parish, Philadelphia. In September he was assigned to St. John’s Preparatory School in Brooklyn, NY, where he taught Biology.

St. Joseph’s, Princeton

In 1948 Father Pat was transferred to St. Joseph’s College, Princeton, NJ, where he taught many classes of seminarians History, Biology, Chemistry and the Physical Sciences over a period of twenty years. He also taught Religion, and was Acting Dean - Principal of the High School. During these years, Father Pat studied Biology at St. John’s University, earning his B.S. in 1945 and his M.S. in 1948.

St. John Vianney, Miami

In 1968, Father Pat moved to St. John Vianney Seminary, Miami, FL, where he continued to teach Biology and Chemistry. He also serve as Spiritual Director of the College Department and Principal of the High School Department.

In 1975, Father Pat was missioned to St. Vincent’s Seminary in Germantown, where he served as Acting Assistant Superior.

Vocation Ministry

In 1976, Father Pat returned to St. Joseph’s Preparatory Seminary, Princeton as Associate Vocation Director. During these years, as one confrere remembers: "With his boisterous voice and wide smile, he spoke about how God might be calling some of us students to become priests and religious. In a very nonchalant way, he invited us to ‘Come and See’ how the CMs lived, worked and played. That took me to the workshop in Princeton where I met so many of you who confirmed for me that God was indeed calling me to the priesthood and, more specifically, the Community." Another confrere recalls that "My family often talked about his 'home visit' when I was applying for the seminary."

Vocation work also involved Father Pat in speaking frequently at Vincentian Vocation Club breakfasts. "Rumor has it that the men in the audience always knew the real punch lines of the jokes he had 'cleaned up'."

Chaplain

In 1983 he returned to St. Vincent’s Seminary in Germantown, where he served as sub-Assistant Superior, and Chaplain to St. Catherine’s Infirmary.

In 1990, Father Pat was missioned to Loudonville, NY where he served as Chaplain to the Daughters of Charity at their Provincial House in Menands, NY.

In 1994 Father Pat returned to St. Vincent’s Seminary, Philadelphia, serving in General Ministry.

St. Catherine’s Infirmary

He entered St. Catherine’s Infirmary in October, 1994. As the years progressed, Father Pat’s health had its ups and downs. He retained his cheerful spirit, love for Ireland and things Irish. He was always happy to receive many visitors and friends.

During the month of May, 2002, he grew weaker, showing signs that he was slipping away from us and on his way to heaven. God called him home on Tuesday morning, June 11, 2002. As one confrere put it: "I’m sure heaven is ringing with his laughter!" And another confrere: "I will miss his wide Irish smile, his boisterousness, his amazing energy, his kindness, and his unrelenting efforts to extend an invitation to others to consider a possible vocation to the priesthood and/or religious life." And still another confrere: "We can certainly use his hearty laughter and optimism today".

Wake/Viewing and Funeral

Family and Confreres gathered on Friday, June 14th to pray for Father Pat. At the evening Wake, they prayed the Rosary and a Vigil for the Deceased. During the latter, both family and confreres shared their remembrances of Pat Fleming, a wonderful person whose life enriched both his family and all those to whom he ministered as a Vincentian priest.

On Saturday, June 15th, a Funeral Mass was held in Mary’s Central Shrine at 10:30 AM. Father Thomas F. McKenna, CM, Provincial Superior, was principal celebrant, assisted by Father Pat’s classmates, Frs. John McDonnell, and Joe O’Donnell, and about twenty confrere concelebrants. Father John Hodnett, who had known Pat at Princeton, preached the homily. After lunch at St. Vincent’s Seminary, family and confreres traveled to St. Joseph’s Seminary, Princeton, where Father Pat was laid to rest in the cemetery with his Vincentian confreres. "May this worthy servant now rest from his many labors in God’s eternal care!"

Courtsey of William Sheldon, C.M.