Patricia (Pat) Barrett

Pat Barret began her college years at Maryville University just as the Stock Market crashed in 1929.  She was deeply moved by the poverty and desperation she saw during those years.  In 1931 she took a Sociology class taught by Dr. Eva Ross which gave her her first understanding of "the power and appropriateness of the Church's social teaching," particularly as expressed by Pope Pius XI in Quadragesimo Anno.  During her initial years as a Religious of the Sacred Heart Pat's work for the poor consisted "mainly of teaching the social encyclicals and encouraging students to join (the) Social Action Corps" at Maryville.  In the 1950's and 60's, with the easing of cloister, Pat was able to be more directly involved in the work for justice.  She designed a class for law enforcement personnel which helped prepare policemen for the social unrest of the times and she worked with imprisoned social activists to help them get their GED's.  She taught low-income residents of public housing to understand the essentials of American government as they struggled to create change in their neighborhoods.  She took her students to Selma, Alabama to rally for civil rights.  Her final "poverty project involved discussion and service at the Catholic Worker House in St. Louis", bringing her students from Villa Duchesne to serve soup and socialize with the residents.  (Quotes taken from "Ministry With The Poor" by Pat Barrett.)