Sister Patricia McDermott first learned about God from her mother, Elly, who taught her God always came first and to serve the neighbor without distinction. With her SSJ Sisters, Sister Pat continued her journey of service to all. She graduated from Nazareth College with a master’s degree in education. She taught at St. Jerome’s, St. John the Evangelist, and the School of the Holy Childhood where she first began her work as a volunteer/coach for Special Olympics.

Then, Sister Pat worked as an Ultrasound Sonographer at Ide Radiology and Highland Hospital. After returning to teaching, she taught at St. Boniface, Holy Cross, St. Joseph’s, and St. Kateri.

She is presently working at Nazareth Elementary School as an office assistant and substitute teacher. She is also the Director of the Altar Bread Department at the SSJ Motherhouse where she takes and fills orders for altar breads.

Sister Pat has volunteered at Special Olympics, St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, and Hope Hall. She said she is grateful to her family, her Sisters in Community, and all those who have raised her up, so she can stand on mountains, adding “I am most grateful for God’s call to live as a Sister of Saint Joseph.”