Patrick Michael Flood

Patrick Michael Flood March 15, 1933 – November 28, 2008 After enjoying his last Thanksgiving with family and friends, Patrick Flood died at his Austin home early Friday morning, November 28, 2008, with his wife Marie by his side. Patrick celebrated family, friendship, community and all things sacred during his life on earth; but he lived in joyful recognition that his human journey was just the beginning of an eternal adventure with God. Certainly the angels welcomed Pat gleefully, delighting (as we all have) in his unforgettably unique, infectious laughter! Patrick Michael Flood was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on March 15, 1933, two days before his patron saint's feast day, which he always celebrated with Irish reverence. He was the younger son of Esther and George Flood, who raised him and his brother George in the town of Eden, where the family ran a fuel oil distribution company and a gas station. Patrick attended the Eden school and Saint Mary Springs Academy and received his degree in philosophy from St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee. He earned a MA in Urban Affairs from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1975. Ordained in the diocese of Milwaukee in 1959, Patrick served as associate pastor in inner city parishes and founded Cooperation Westside Association (COWSA), a neighborhood association still active in Milwaukee. Inspired by the spirit of Vatican II reforms and the civil rights movement, and trained in community organizing principles by Saul Alinsky in Chicago, Patrick joined a group of activist priests who strived to empower urban communities. In 1969 they founded The Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the domestic anti-poverty social justice program approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1970 and funded by a special annual collection in American parishes. Since its inception CCHD has raised more than $500 million to fund many community organizations that collectively impact more than half America's poor, making CCHD arguably the most important Catholic social justice ministry of the 20th century. From 1967 to 1975 Patrick served as executive director of the Council on Urban Life, an independently incorporated office of the Milwaukee Archdiocese which addressed the social issues of school desegregation and busing, fair housing, welfare rights, health care for the elderly and poor and police-community relations. During the 70s and 80s Patrick served as a consultant for the New World Foundation in New York City, and in executive positions with the Interfaith Housing Foundation of Wisconsin, the Rehabilitation Council of Greater Milwaukee and Congregations United for Community Action (CUFCA). In 1981, Patrick became executive director of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, serving for 8 years. In 1989, Patrick left for Texas to assume the founding executive position at Austin Metropolitan Ministries, which evolved into the present day Austin Area Interreligious Ministries. Patrick retired from AAIM in 2000, but remained passionately involved in issues of social justice. Patrick lived "love in action" and gathered friends everywhere: everyone was affirmed by his compassionate, charismatic, and easy-going nature, and his wonderful stories and wise counsel. In 1976, after requesting and receiving canonical release from his vows of ordination and dispensation from the Apostolic See, Patrick married the love of his life, teacher and artist Marie Burton, who survives him, along with their son Brendan of Austin, TX and daughter Caitlin Flood Moore (Andrew) and adored grandson Ezra Patrick Moore of Boulder, CO. Patrick fostered uniquely intimate relationships with each of his children; he was a generous, open-hearted father. Other survivors include Patrick's brother George Flood, MD (Ellen) of Corpus Christi, TX; his uncle Frank Flood of Eden, WI; numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many, many friends, as well as his loyal companion Roscoe. Patrick is predeceased by his beloved parents Esther and George Flood. Patrick will be waked at 6:30 Thursday evening, December 4, 2008 at Weed, Corley and Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Boulevard in Austin. Mass of Resurrection will be at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church, 5455 Bee Caves Road in Westlake Hills on Friday afternoon, December 5, 2008, at 2 o'clock, with a reception following in the parish hall. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Charles Flood, Chris Flood, John Flood, Josh Kinman, David Russo and David Stryk. In lieu of usual remembrances and in celebration of Patrick's lifelong commitment to interfaith community building, the family requests with gratitude that donations in Patrick's memory be made to Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, 701 Tillery St., Suite 8, Austin, TX 78702, or at their website: www.aaimaustin.org.