Sr. Pat McDermott, RSM

Sister Pat McDermott, RSM, is a Sister of Mercy, originally from Omaha, Nebraska and currently lives and ministers in Northeast Pennsylvania.  Her initial ministries included teaching English, journalism and theology at the secondary level. As Pat pursued graduate work in pastoral theology, her attention focused on spirituality with a special attention to the experience of God within women.  After teaching at Catholic University in Washington, DC, Pat was invited to return to Omaha to serve in community leadership.  Pat served in community leadership for 36 years, ending her tenure as past president of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas (2011-2023).

Additionally, she has been involved in various pastoral roles, board and governance service, and currently gives her energy to spirituality and spiritual direction, as well as resourcing congregational leadership and communities.

 
Pat speaks of her role in congregational leadership as graced energy:  “My attentiveness to and trusting of the ever-present sacred energy grounds me. I live in a deeply graced ‘space’ where sacred energy within, around and about me leads and directs me. I have learned about this gift in both small and striking ways, and I trust the integrity of this graced presence immensely.”