Rev. Msgr. Patrick G. Thompson
Deceased: 2012-10-20
Diocese: LOS ANGELES
CSM Graduation Year: 1968
Msgr. Patrick G. Thompson was the oldest of two sons born to Louis and Virgina Thompson. A fourth-generation Californian, he attended St. Paul School and Loyola High School (Los Angeles) and the University of Santa Clara as a chemistry major before entering the seminary. He studied at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, and was ordained a priest of the Los Angeles Archdiocese on April 30, 1960.
His numerous appointments over the years included associate priest at Assumption and St. Philip, Pasadena (1960-61); St. Jerome, Los Angeles (1964); Our Lady of Peace, North Hills (1964-65, 1965-66); and Santa Clara, Oxnard (1965). He taught at St. John’s Seminary (1964-65); St. Mel’s, Woodland Hills (1966-69) and Immaculate Heart in Hollywood (1969-78). He served as Newman Center chaplain at Los Angeles City College (1969-76); and was director of the Archdiocesan Newman Apostolate and the Faith & Order Commission (1976-78).
Returning to parish ministry, he was co-administrator at St. Frances Cabrini, Los Angeles (1978-81); pastor of St. Anthony, San Gabriel (1981- 94) During his time at St. Anthony, he took a sabbatical at the Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, Mass. Msgr. Thompson received a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome (1961-64). He was named a prelate of his holiness (monsignor) in 1988.
In May of 1994, Msgr. Pat was appointed as the St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish in Lomita seventh pastor. The parish welcomed Father Pat in July of that year. Upon his arrival, Father Pat brought his remarkable 34 year priestly career to the service of his new flock. A pastor, seminary teacher, college professor and chaplain, Father Pat’s enthusiasm was quickly contagious.
Fluent in Spanish, he energetically worked to create a parish environment which welcomed all languages and all peoples. The number of Spanish speaking parishioners was growing dramatically and it was Father Pat’s goal to incorporate all parishioners into one community. This was one parish, not two separate communities divided by language. All parish offerings were to reflect that reality.
An articulate leader with much experience in parish team building, Father Pat immediately undertook the process of developing a five year pastoral plan. This plan outlined, among other initiatives, the need for ongoing spiritual parish development. This was to be the foundation for a new style of faith sharing which was embraced by the parish – small faith communities.
On June 20, 2010, Msgr. Pat retired as Pastor of St. Margaret Mary. He continued to remain active at Incarnation Church, in Glendale, CA (2010-12), where he had retired. In 2011 he was honored by St. John Seminary with the Distinguished Alumni Award. He passed away unexpectedly on October 20, 2012, at the rectory of Incarnation Church
