Rev. Patrick (David) McCool, O.S.B. Monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey July 30, 1936 – Dec. 15, 2022
Rev. Patrick McCool, O.S.B., died on Thursday, Dec. 15, at the age of 86. He had completed 65 years of monastic profession and 59 years of priestly ministry.
Father Patrick was born on July 30, 1936, in Kansas City, Mo., and lived until age 13 at Saint Joseph’s Orphanage in Eldorado, Kan. He became the beloved adopted son of James and L.C. “Elsie” (Feist) McCool of Wichita, Kan. He graduated in 1954 from Saint Gregory’s High School in Shawnee, and graduated from Saint Gregory’s College in 1956.
Father Patrick professed temporary vows as a monk of Saint Gregory’s Abbey on July 11, 1957. He then earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Saint Benedict College in Atchison, Kan., and completed theological studies at Saint Gregory’s Abbey. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1963. Following his ordination, he completed a master’s degree in English at the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Library Science degree at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
Father Patrick served at Saint Gregory’s Abbey as prior of the community under three abbots, and for several terms as a member of the Abbey Senior Council. He served at Saint Gregory’s University as residence hall director, instructor of English and as assistant director and director of the institution’s James J. Kelly Library. He was the founding sponsor of Knights of Columbus Council 5354 at Saint Gregory’s College, serving as chaplain and financial secretary. He served as state chaplain of the Oklahoma Knights of Columbus from 1983 to 1993.
Father Patrick served as pastor of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in McLoud from 1971 to 1976. In 1979 he was assigned to assist with Catholic services at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, “for a few weekends.” This temporary duty lasted for nearly 40 years. Commuting from the Abbey as many as seven days a week, he celebrated Mass, performed baptisms, heard confessions, provided pastoral counseling, celebrated weddings and conducted funerals. In 2001, Pope St. John Paul II bestowed upon him the Cross of Honor “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” in recognition of his faithful service to military personnel and their families. Father Patrick completed his tenure of service at Tinker AFB in 2018.
When the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease limited his public ministries, he continued to participate actively in nearly all aspects of daily life at Saint Gregory’s Abbey. After a brief stay at Golden Rule Nursing Home near Shawnee, Father Patrick returned to the monastery, where he died peacefully on the 29th anniversary of the death of his beloved mother.
Father Patrick is survived by the monks of Saint Gregory’s Abbey, several cousins and numerous grateful former students, parishioners and friends. A public viewing was held on Dec. 18 in The Conference Center at Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee. A vigil service was held on Dec. 18 at Saint Gregory’s Abbey. Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 19 at Saint Gregory’s Abbey.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in honor of Father Patrick can be contributed to Saint Gregory’s Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee, OK 74804, and online at monksok.org.