Fr. Francis Cosgrove

Francis J. Cosgrove was born in County Leitrim Ireland, October 7, 1940, the oldest of three children.  He was educated at Summerhill College, Sligo, Ireland and St. Patrick Seminary, Carlow, Ireland, where he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Jackson on June 12, 1965.

Father Cosgrove's first assignment was at St. Mary Basilica, Natchez, MS.  He served 10 years as Pastor of St. John Church, Oxford, MS and Catholic Campus Minister to the University of Mississippi.  Father Cosgrove had several appointments in the Jackson area, including 11 years as Pastor of St. Francis Church, Madison.  Father Cosgrove was appointed Pastor of the Catholic Community of Meridian, MS in January 2005.  The Catholic Community of Meridian includes St. Joseph and St. Patrick Churches, Naval Air Station Meridian, Good Shepherd, Quitman, MS and ministry to the Hispanic Community.

You can reach Father Cosgrove at St. Patrick Church, P.O. Box 529, Meridian, MS 39302-0529 or (601) 693-1321.

Father Mario Solorzano-Cruz's work experience includes seven years in religious educating teaching children, adolescents, and adults.  He has experience in Sacramental preparation, Eucharistic Ministry, Lectoring, and Acolyting (assisting in the performance of liturgical rites).

You can reach Father Mario at St. Patrick Church, P.O. Box 529, Meridian, MS 39302-0529 or (601) 693-1321.

Sr. Pat Doody, osf

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the oldest of four children born to Paul and Carlene Doody.  Growing up in Atlanta, I attended Guice Elementary School and Southwest Dekalb High School.  Reading was and is one of my favorite pastimes.  After graduating high school, I attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia where I earned a B.A. in English with a minor in Secondary Education.  I taught high school in Ellijay, Georgia for four years and in Dahlonega for one year.  In that time, I earned a Master of Eduation degree with an emphasis in English at North Georgia College.  To this day, one of my favorite places is the Appalachian Mountains in northern Georgia. 

While living in Dahlonega, I belonged to a small parish, St. Luke Church, where I met the Sisters of Saint Francis of Dubuque, Iowa.  After many years of discernment, God led me to enter this community, and I have been a member for 20 years.  After three years of formation in Dubuque, Iowa at our mother house, Mount St. Francis, I continued my education at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL, earning a certificate in pastoral studies.  Following this, I taught high school theology for five years at Notre Dame High School for Girls.  In my last two years of teaching there, I earned a Master of Divinity from Loyola University.  Since that time, my ministry has been in parishes where I have been the Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education.

Tom Zettler

Tom Zettler serves as our bookkeeper for both St. Patrick and St. Joseph Parishes.  Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia upon the death of his father when he was less than two years old.  He attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School and Marist College High School in Cullman, Alabama graduating with degrees in Business/History in 1961.  Upon graduation he enlisted in the Navy, was selected for OCS, was commissioned and served 20 years of commissioned service.  His last tour of duty was in Meridian, Mississippi.  Upon retirement, he worked for a statewide bakery as personnel officer, as the loan/collections manager for a credit union, and lastly was hired by St. Patrick Parish in 1990 as the Director of Religious Education.  he holds degrees in Public Administration from Mississippi State University and in Theology from Spring Hill College.  Tom is married to the former Jo Anne Walker of Pensacola, Florida and they are the parents of six sons and four daughters.  Tom has had a long association with the Knights of Columbus and served as the State Deputy of Mississippi from 1993 to 1995.  he presently serves on the Diocesan School Board and has also served on the Diocesan Education Advisory Committee.  He has been a Eucharistic Minister and Lector for several years and serves on most parish committees as well as the local school board.

Kathryn Gough

I had the opportunity to attend parochial schools in grades 1-12 at St. John's School in Tuscaloosa and St. Aloysius Academy in Meridian.  Following my high school graduation I attended Meridian Junior College.  My first job was secretary/receptionist at Bryan Medial Clinic.

My husband Richard Gough, a native of Meridian and employed at Lockheed.  We have been happily married for 42 years and have four wonderful children - Suzanne, Dianne, Charles and Katie.  We are the proud grandparents of three granddaughters and four grandsons.

We are active members of St. Patrick Catholic Church.  In 1976 I became employed here as secretary.  It is a real blessing and privilege to me to serve as a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church staff.