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Pat Radecky

Born December 14, 1942
At Rest May 17, 1999

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Fr. Rich Homa, in his homily Pat's funeral liturgy, reminded us that whenever there was a task to be done or a problem to be solved, Pat's response was "Don't worry, I'll take care of it".

Whether it was as Business Manager of the parish, member of the Tinley Park Planning Commission, volunteer at church or in the community, or with her family at home, you would know the task was in good hands and Pat would "take care of it".

Pat was hired as St Julies first secretary and was promoted to Administrative Assistant to Fr. Homa and then to Business Manager. She was a Dame in the Sovereign Military Order of Jerusalem. Pat was a member of the Tinley Park Planning Commission. She is missed by her many friends.

The prayers of the parish and community
are with Pat and her family.

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To live in the hearts
we leave behind
is not to die.

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Our Beloved Friend

Patricia Radecky

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Dear Pat,

 When you left your office the last time, none of us knew we wouldn't have a chance to say good-bye, or tell you how much we loved and respected you. Surely you knew it, but we want to say it now anyway.

At the very beginnings of our parish almost twenty-five years ago, the two "Pats" - you and Pat Kmak - were the first two people employed by Fr. Devine. How wisely he chose, and what a great foundation we had! You were an original blessing for St. Julie.

You were always a mainstay for your fellow employees, Pat; your considerable expertise in so many areas found a way to deal with the questions, problems, plans, and dilemmas we brought you - and always cheerful and affirmatively so that it made us feel good to have talked with you. We knew you cared for us.

You were also our petite dynamo, full of “Joie de vivre" and energy; you loved life and adventure and were usually on the go. At lunch we always looked forward to a description of the exploits you and Jerry had been up to.

Your illness shocked everyone, Pat; but you fought it so hard and with such spirit that we always had hope. So much concern and so many prayers were with you. As time went on and your illness progressed, we learned something new about you: there was no self-pity in you, and we never heard you complain. How much we learned from you about endurance and patience and acceptance - (though you'd be embarrassed to consider yourself a teacher)!

God called you home, Pat - too soon it seems - to us who worked with you and loved you. We will miss you so much, but we'll never forget you. Jerry and your beautiful family are still here, and you're part of our history as well as theirs.

We're sure you're a lively addition to heaven.

 Your co-workers at St. Julie

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AFTER GLOW

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one,

I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering
softly down the ways.

Of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who
grieve, to dry before the sun

Of happy memories that I leave
When my life is done.

Angie Fagarason           

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In Memory of those who have served
the people of
St Julie Billiart Parish

Endings and Beginnings
(Pastor's message of 5/30/99)

The other day I was reminded of the story of the caravans crossing the Sahara Desert, where every so often the Bedouin camel drivers will not budge for a day or more, no matter how hard- pressed or behind schedule they may be. When called to explain their refusal to move, they say they are taking time to let their souls catch up.

This story came to mind because it's kind of how I feel. I think I need time to pause and let my soul catch up, because every time I walk through the offices in the rectory, it's still hard to believe that Joe Callahan and Pat Radecky won't ever be there again, sitting at their desks and doing all that they did to make St. Julie the great parish that it is.

In the space of just three weeks, the parish has lost two extremely competent and valuable members of our Staff, and I, as pastor, have never known St. Julie without Joe and Pat being right at the center of everything. It struck me the other evening that future priests assigned here will not have known Pat or Joe at all. Because of that, their experiences of the parish will be totally different from the rest of us, and it will be their loss.

I think part of my difficulty, as with other people here on the Staff, is that there is no time off to grieve. We can't just do what the camel drivers do, and sit down under a palm tree in an oasis and refuse to budge. Everything that we have been involved in just keeps grinding on, but now without Joe and Pat contributing all that they did.

Yet in the midst of the emptiness I feel, as my spirit gradually catches up, I am filled with gratitude to God for the twelve years I knew Pat and Joe as friends and as co-ministers in the Lord. They were truly great gifts in my life, and I'm sure they continue to look down on us all as the new guardian angels of St. Julie Parish!

God bless,

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