Prior to his 40th anniversary Mass on Feb. 20, 2022, Fr. Pat Bittel greets a young boy at St. Martin Parish in Rome. COURTESY OF NICOLE GRAY
Forty years of priestly service: Fr. Pat Bittel is a true servant
BY NICOLE GRAY, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Patrick Michael Bittel always knew he wanted to be priest. Born and raised in Owensboro, Ky., he attended St. Pius X Seminary in Erlanger, Ky., and graduated with a certificate of Degree in Philosophy. During his time there he played guitar, organ and sang. In 1974 he was the group leader of a music ensemble comprised of seminarians. The group played for several churches and various organizations. He then graduated from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, prior to being ordained.
The 40th anniversary celebration Mass for Fr. Pat Bittel on Feb. 20, 2022 at St. Martin Parish in Rome. COURTESY OF NICOLE GRAY
Fr. Pat, as he’s known to most, was ordained at St. Stephen Cathedral on Feb. 20, 1982. His first solemn Mass of Thanksgiving was Feb. 21 at St. Paul Parish in Owensboro (later merged into Sts. Joseph and Paul Parish in Owensboro). Fr. Pat spent his first year of ordination at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Henderson, Ky. He was then assigned to St. Francis de Sales Parish and Rosary Chapel in Paducah for four years. Fr. Pat’s first pastorate was in June 1987 at St. Paul Parish in Princeton where he was also the chaplain at Kentucky State Penitentiary. He provided spiritual and emotional counseling to inmates – some on death row – at the maximum-security prison. Prison ministry took its toll on him, but he could see inmates making positive changes in their lives, for that he was grateful. He once stated: “It’s not good and certainly not healthy running from God all of the time. We can’t run far or fast enough. His love for us can override any weakness or temptation we have.”
After his assignment at St. Paul’s, he became pastor for several churches including St. Joseph Parish in Mayfield, St. Ann Parish in Morganfield, and the following in Daviess County: St. Mary of the Woods Parish in Whitesville, St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Sorgho, and St. William and St. Lawrence Parishes in Knottsville and Philpot. Since 2013 he has been the pastor of St. Martin Parish in Rome. Fr. Pat was an integral part of many of these parishes’ renovations and remodels.
Feb. 20, 2022 marked 40 years of priesthood for Fr. Pat Bittel. After the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Martin –which included not only parishioners, but several of Fr. Pat’s family, friends, and classmates – everyone gathered at the parish hall for a “Roast and Toast” to celebrate. A few funny stories were told about Fr. Pat and many thoughtful toasts to congratulate him and thank him for his stewardship. A video slideshow of Fr. Pat’s life showed highlights of his life in the seminary, as a deacon and now priest.
Nicole Gray is the communications director for St. Martin Parish in Rome.
Originally printed in the April 2022 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
