Patrick Collins

"I have

come so

you may

have life

more

abundantly

..."

Letters of Reference

Fr. Patrick Collins, Ph.D., has directed four weekend retreats and a one-day program at our retreat center since 2000; two weekends are planned for this year and two for next year. All the retreats were very well attended and superbly directed. Fr. Collins combines spirit-filled talks with traditional and modern music sung with a strong and beautiful Baritone voice and played masterly at the piano. The retreat evaluations of the participants are consistently very positive. Here are some examples:

• “The poetry and music bring into the heart what the head is trying to grasp.”

• “I loved the blend of lecture, poetry, song, reflection and how the questions were received with such affirmation first and then dialogue.”

• “I found the program illuminating in many ways, encouraging – and leave with even greater gratitude for prayer and a commitment to my practice.”

• “No fluff or pop psychology. This is the real stuff!”

• “Fr. Collins is awesome. This is the best retreat of my life!”

I highly recommend inviting Fr. Collins as a speaker to your retreat center or your organization.

Fr. Thomas Leitner, OSB
Administrator
St. Benedict Center
Schuyler, NE 68661

Fr. Patrick Collins, Retreat Master, Singer, Author and Sidekick, spans many decades. He has this ability to relate to your family, your educated and sophiscated or your friends who feel unloved. Fr. Pat's retreats are very contemporary while grounded in things of the past (and present). He sings, recites poetry, quotes Merton, Jesus, Sheen (Bishop Sheen, that is), plays piano and entertains while he soothes you into your relationship with God in the Holy Spirit. You come away feeling: I've been touched by a professional; I've come closer to God. Give me more.

Fr. Bob Sherry

Rev. Patrick Collins has facilitated several preached retreats for our Spirituality Center. He has always been well received, very prepared and professional, yet pastoral. Patrick is very generous with his time for retreatants outside scheduled conferences. His liturgical background and musical ability set an environment for prayerful Liturgy. He will always be welcome at our center.

Annette Paveglio,SC, Director, Sisters of Charity
Spirituality Center, Cincinnati, OH

To All Spiritual Seekers:

If you would like a challenging and thoughtful presentation of a spiritual prophet for our times, Thomas Merton, I would highly recommend to you Patrick Collins. His knowledge of and dedication to the writings of Merton will serve you well on your quest. His presentations, discussion sessions and even entertainment were uplifting and thought provoking.

His is not the stuff for beginners, but those who have traveled the hard roads of ministry in the twenty-first century.

Theresa Padovano

Father Patrick Collins is a long-time friend. Because of that friendship, I have invited him to give retreats here in the Diocese of Gaylord. On every occasion he has done a wonderful job for the people who participated at the retreats as well as for the other people who have participated in his celebrations of the Eucharist. Father Pat is always welcome here.

Sincerely yours,
+Patrick R. Cooney
Bishop of Gaylord

I am happy to offer this letter of recommendation for Patrick Collins. I learned of Patrick from a friend who was brought back to the Church by listening to Patrick at a mission in Traverse City. After hearing her testimony, I decided I had to invite this man to our parish church. I certainly was happy that I did. Patrick came to our parish for a mission about a year ago. His talks and music were so inspirational. The people of our parish felt that he nurtured their faith in such a positive manner.

Patrick radiates the love and goodness of the Lord Jesus. He radiates the life that God's Church is called to offer in a world that can sometimes feel so dark. Patrick's love of the Gospel is contagious. I highly recommend his mission. I am grateful for his ministry to our Church.

Fr. Bob DeLand,
Pastor, SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Saginaw, MI.

To Whom it May Concern:

I was director of Villa Maria Retreat Center from 1989-2002. During those years I was fortunate to have Father Pat Collins present several conference style retreats. These included one on the spirituality of Thomas Merton. Participants found Pat's retreats to be delightful as he wove beautiful song and music throughout his conferences. Liturgies and prayer services were refreshingly contemporary and in the tradition of Vatican II. I recommend Pat for conference style and guided retreats.
Sincerely,

Carolyn Capuano, HM
Vice Preident for Mission and Ministry
Mercy Medical Cent

Fr. Patrick Collins has given several retreats at our spirituality Center. The most recent one was in August, 2004 on The Celebration of Eucharist as a Model of Spirituality. It was very well received. Participants appreciated the use of media and creativity in the presentations as well as good content in the talks. They were involved and found it to be a very inspiring retreat. The Sacred Concert was one of the highlights. I would recommend any retreat given by Fr. Patrick Collins.

Carol Brenner, SC

Fr. Patrick Collins conducted a parish mission for us in 1999. It was a Spiritual Concert focused on "The Meaning of Love. To start off the mission Fr. Patrick presided at all the weekend liturgies where he gave a brief overview of the coming sessions and set the tone for the next couple of days. His presentations were a wonderful combination of song, music, and spiritual reflection. Those who participated felt that the input was solid and spiritual and at the same time entertaining.

Fr. Bill Gruden
Pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in Reese, MI and St. Norbert Parish in
Munger, MI.

Fr. Patrick Collins has given two preached retreats at our parish. His retreats on the celebration of the Eucharist as a model of spirituality and on the spirituality of Thomas Merton were both exceptional. During the retreat on the Eucharist, Fr. Collins used poetry and music along with his skillful preaching, to lead the people into a deeper awareness and understanding of what we do during the celebration of the Eucharist is who we are to be in our every day lives. His remarkable speaking and singing voice added to the delightful experience.

Fr. Collins' retreat on Thomas Merton was equally dynamic. He creatively unfolded the four themes of Merton's spirituality through the presentation. The blend of lecture, music, song and poetry was captivating.

Fr. Collins will again be at St. Francis of Assisi Parish this fall to lead the parish mission.

Beth Hicks