Father Pat Gaza passed away peacefully on June 18 at Community Hospital East in Indianapolis, at age 81. Firstborn son of John and Ann Marie Gaza, he had three siblings: Agnes Marie “Mickey” Gaza, Harold James “Jim” (Carol) Gaza, and Jerrold Bruce “Jerry” (Stacy) Gaza.
Father Gaza attended Ss. Peter and Paul School in Merrillville. After high school and junior college at Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Wawasee, he completed college at Saint Meinrad College, Saint Meinrad, with a Degree in French Literature. Bishop Andrew G. Grutka sent Father Gaza to the Pontifical North American College in Rome, to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he received the Bachelor in Sacred Theology and Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He was ordained a Catholic priest on Dec. 20, 1968, at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
His first assignment in the Diocese of Gary was instructor of religion at Bishop Noll Institute, with residence at All Saints in Hammond. During these years, he was moderator of the deanery Catholic Youth Organization and a member of the Diocesan CYO Board of Directors.
In 1972, Bishop James A. Hickey, rector of the North American College, requested that Father Gaza be released for a year of study in pastoral theology at the University of Notre Dame, in preparation for serving as director of apostolic formation at the North American College in Rome from 1973-78. His duties included helping students integrate theological studies and spiritual formation with ministry in local hospitals, schools and parishes.
Returning to the Diocese of Gary in the summer of 1978, Bishop Grutka named Father Gaza diocesan director of religious education, to work with the late Sister Grace Clemens, OSF. He was also named diocesan mission director. With residence at Holy Trinity in Gary, he was asked to minister in parishes where the pastor was ill or on vacation, including St. Edward in Lowell and St. Luke in Gary. In July, 1979, Father Gaza assisted Monsignor Michael Campagna and, after his death, was named director of Hoosier Boys Town in Schererville, continuing with his other diocesan responsibilities. In addition, in the fall of 1980, Father Gaza was named pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Shelby.
In July 1982, Father Gaza asked to be relieved of all these responsibilities and was named pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul in Whiting, until Aug. 26, 1982, when he was named pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Michigan City. He enjoyed working with the other pastors in Michigan City and was involved in the community, as member of the Marquette High School Advisory Board, as member of the Michigan City Ministerial Association, as Michigan City Police Chaplain, as director of the LaPorte County FEMA food program. In August 1992, Father Gaza was named pastor of Ss. Monica and Luke in Gary.
In addition to ministry within the Catholic faith community dedicated to the works of justice and peace, most rewarding were the ten years, 1997-2007, ministering in the Gary Cluster Parishes with Father Bob Gehring, Father Tom Mischler, and the late Father John Ambre.
Father Mischler first met Father Gaza at Bishop Noll Institute; he was his junior year religion teacher. They met again after college graduation. Father Mishler recalled that Father Dennis Hand and Father Gaza came to his house to wish him well as he prepared to go off to Rome for his theology studies. That same year, Father Gaza was on the faculty of the North American College.
Father Mischler said he will remember Father Gaza’s passion for justice among all peoples and his intense desire for peace between Palestinians and Israelis. He added that Father Gaza’s life and ministry was punctuated by living out the Beatitudes.
“I think people will remember his beard,” Father Mischler said. “They will remember his kindness and generosity. He was always there when you needed him. They will also remember his sharp mind which frequently used to stretch your thinking when you encountered him.”
Father Gaza worked with the Interfaith Clergy Council of Gary and Vicinity, the NAACP Gary branch, Calumet Project, the Lake County Alliance Against Domestic Violence, the Northwest Indiana Brownfield Redevelopment Project, Rebuilding Together (Christmas in April) Gary, the Gary Urban Enterprise Association and the Steel City Hall of Fame.
In June, 2007, Father Gaza was named pastor of St. Mark in Gary. He retired as pastor of both parishes on July 1, 2013.
It was during his assignment at St. Mark that Father Gaza became a good friend of the family of newly-ordained Father Ivan Alatorre. Father Alatorre said he was a great supporter in his discernment. Father Gaza was present when the young Alatoree received the sacraments of first reconciliation, First Communion and confirmation. Father Alatoree shared that he feels blessed to also have had Father Gaza be a part of his first Mass as a deacon, and was grateful to have been able to visit him minutes before his passing, praying with him as a priest.
“I am very grateful for the love, support and fatherly care that Father Pat gave me for close to 20 years,” he said. “I hope to model after his example of a fatherly heart as I begin my priestly ministry.”
Even during his retirement, Father Gaza remained available to help with Sunday and weekday Mass in various parishes and lastly at the Albertine Home. He was asked to celebrate baptisms, quinceañeras, and funerals. He spent a lot of time reading and visiting with family and friends, including friends in Ireland, Italy, Spain and Australia. In March 2023, Father Gaza moved to the Albertine Home in Hammond.
“Father Gaza loved the people of the Gary diocese and tirelessly served them as long as his health allowed,” said Bishop Robert J. McClory. “He was a true servant of Jesus and will be deeply missed.”
Preceded in death by his parents, John and Ann Marie Gaza, his sister, Agnes Marie “Mickey” Gaza, he is survived by his brothers, Jim (Carol) Gaza and Jerry (Stacy) Gaza, nephews, Jimmy (Amanda) Gaza and Michael (Lisa) Gaza, niece, Amy (David) Mulcahy and loved as a niece, Grace Wedding, many great-nieces and great-nephews, many relatives and friends.
Father Gaza requested that any memorials offered at his funeral be given to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Ss. Monica and Luke in Gary, Albertine Sisters in Hammond or to the Istituto Maddalena Aulina in Rome.
Visitation is being held on June 26 with Reception of the Body at Holy Martyrs Parish in Merrillville. Additional visitation at the church will take place the next day until the time of Funeral Prayers and Mass of Christian Burial. Interment followed at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville.
