Patricia Mc Glinn - Former Director of Managed Care Services for the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
I have worked closely with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for many years, especially in my role as Director of Managed Care Services for the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province. My work with the Oblates began in the 1980s. I had raised four children and three of my boys graduated from Father Judge – the high school in northeast Philadelphia staffed by the Oblates. At the time I worked as a nurse medical case manager in several hospitals as well as for Independence Blue Cross. The Oblates needed someone to coordinate the health care needs of their province which had 250 members and no organized health care management system. I worked with Fr. Joseph Morrissey, OSFS, first in his capacity as Provincial Treasurer and then as the Oblate Provincial. I was a member of his senior staff for seventeen years.
Working with the Oblates was a ministry much more than a profession. Together we built Annecy Hall and cared for the retired priest and brothers with professionalism and respect. As St Francis de Sales would say, one day at a time. I am filled with awe and gratitude for those years. There were some difficult times for sure, but the good times far outweighed the little stumbles.
Even though I had a brother, Fr. Tom Gillespie, who was an Oblate priest, I never thought that I would be involved with the health care needs of a bunch of priests and brothers, never mind overseeing operations at Annecy Hall. God’s will for me led me to opportunities to use my gifts and talents to help the Oblate community address the urgent medical care needs of the members of the province as well as to develop relationships that have truly changed my life.
St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantel continue to be inspirations in my life. Doing the little things extraordinary well is a real challenge, especially as I deal with the myriad challenges of my own medical care. However, the opportunity given to me to experience Salesian spirituality in the ordinary moments of my day has been and continues to be a precious and cherished gift!
My interactions over many years with aging religious has given me a personal perspective as I struggle each day with my own aging issues. My association with my Oblate brothers has provided me with the Salesian tools I need to see these challenges as opportunities. These occasions enhance my relationship with God as I make my own personal journey toward the Kingdom! In a very real way, my work and my vocation as a health care provider has been a blessing to me on many levels. One of the most important blessings it provided me was the opportunity to get to know St. Francis de Sales and his gift of Salesian spirituality – priceless.
Please consider donating to assist in the medical and care expenses of our senior Oblates. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.
