Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Wright

Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Wright, 79, of Ashland, formerly of Springfield, died at 8:20 a.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2007 at St. Francis Convent’s Lorretto Home in Springfield. Patrick was born on November 18, 1928, in Springfield, the son of Harry and Nina Carney Wright, who preceded him in death. Patrick graduated from Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Cathedral Boys High School, and earned degrees from St. Ambrose College, St. Mary’s Seminary- Mundelein, and St. Louis University. He was ordained on May 29, 1954 as Fr. Patrick J. Wright and was awarded the Papal Honor, Chaplain to His Holiness, “Monsignor”, on February 19, 2002. His first appointment was to serve as Assistant Pastor at St. Patrick’s Church in Alton from 1954 to 1957, then Sacred Heart Church in Granite City from 1957 to 1958. He then was appointed to serve as the Superintendent of Schools, Chaplain and Teacher at Ursuline Convent in Springfield from 1958 to 1969. He became the Pastor at St. Bernard in Wood River, IL in 1969 and was then appointed to St. Agnes in Springfield where he served until 2003. He also served as Dean to the Springfield Deanery from 1995 to 2004, and was named Parochial Administrator at St. Augustine, Ashland, IL from 2004 to present. Patrick is survived by his brother: John (wife, Joan) of Ann Arbor, MI; three sisters: Marilyn (husband, Ross) Thomas of Springfield, Eileen (husband, Frank) Metzger of Manchester, MO, and Nancy (husband, William) Staab of Monroe, LA; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, parishioners, and friends. Friends may visit from 4:00 –8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Bishop Griffin Assembly will post an honor guard for Rev. Msgr. Wright during his visitation. Concelebrated Funeral Mass will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church on Friday, November 30, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with Most Reverend George J. Lucas, D.D. principal celebrant and the priests of the Springfield Diocese concelebrants. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Springfield. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield, IL 62702 or St. Augustine Church, 320 N. Saratoga, P.O. Box 438, Ashland, IL 62612.