Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Religion

Tampa Mormons have new president

After the death of the leader of the Tampa Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, another is called.

By SHERYL KAY
Published December 16, 2005

CARROLLWOOD - When Victor Patrick turned 12, he began preparatory training for the priesthood, as do all boys of the same age who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Also known as Mormons, the church, based in Salt Lake City, provides ongoing intensive education to these young men so that eventually, generally as married adults, each is prepared to serve as a bishop.

From there, men can also be called to a more central leadership position known as a stake president (a stake is a geographic area).

With the death of Tampa Stake President Robert Brady at the end of October, Patrick, who had served as a bishop in South Tampa, received and accepted his most recent calling, to replace Brady.

"It's very hard to describe how I felt," said Patrick recalling the day in mid November when church elders announced he had been selected.

"My dad is not a member of the church, even though my mom was, but he's been around the church most of his life.

When I came home and told him, he cried - a 79-year-old man - because he understood the respect that we have always held for our stake presidents, and he understood the responsibilities I was being asked to undertake."

Patrick's reach includes Carrollwood, home to the Mormons' Florida Tampa Mission, a base for the area's missionaries.

The position of stake president, usually a 7- to 10-year term, is voluntary. Even though the job requires diligence and hours away from his paid job, Patrick, a corporate attorney, said there is almost never a thought of turning down the appointment.

Comparing it to the calling by Jesus of his Twelve Apostles, Patrick said the offering of the stake presidency is biblical in nature, and acceptance is really incumbent upon every male Mormon.

When asked why he thought the church elders chose him to replace Brady, Patrick answered in kind.

"I don't think they picked me," he said. "The Lord had chosen who he wanted long ago, and these men were simply the men who brought that to pass. The selection was made by the Savior, and I'm happy to do it."

Overseeing 11 congregations with more than 4,000 members in total, Patrick and two counselors will be involved with almost all church activities.

They will visit each church for worship and study, counsel individuals, prepare those about to depart for missionary work, coach members who are about to enter critical life passages such as marriage and monitor all financial matters.

Patrick, who lives in South Tampa, will have big shoes to fill as he steps into the position vacated by the well-liked Brady, who was in the middle of serving his second calling to the stake presidency.

"It does happen on occasion, but it's definitely not the norm to be called twice," said John Curtiss, 60, an engineer who served as counselor to President Brady. "He was an outstanding leader with tremendous vision. You could feel his energy, and he caught everybody up in that enthusiasm."

When Brady died, there was a real sorrow in the church, but also a sense of excitement for the new leadership.

"In the Mormon Church, passing from one leader to another is so normal," Curtiss said. "Stake presidents change even if someone doesn't die, so the change itself was all taken in stride."

Patrick believes the church's membership will grow in Tampa. He stressed the importance of missionary work and said the church remains relevant despite its conservative stance on social issues such as homosexuality, women's roles and divorce.

"We have set standards for morality and family life that some might find archaic, but the proof is in the practice," he said.

"Our children are, generally speaking, mentally sound with a good self-image, ready to engage in life. We've raised them with time-tested practices, and it's made our families, and our children, very strong."

- For more information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, call the Florida Tampa Mission at 813 961-7400. Contact reporter Sheryl Kay with any religion news at skreporter@hotmail.com

[Last modified December 15, 2005, 10:05:12]