By Thea Jarvis, Staff Writer

A funeral Mass was held at St. Philip Benizi Church May 22 for Jonesboro pastor Father Patrick Mendola, OFM Conv., who died May 18 in California at the age of 46.

Father Mendola had traveled to the West Coast to receive a master’s degree in applied theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. It was the priest’s fourth graduate degree.

“He didn’t feel well before he went,” but attended graduation ceremonies May 17, said Mary Mauldin, parish director of religious education. Friends last saw Father Mendola around 8 p.m. at his hotel, Mrs. Mauldin was told. The following day, when he failed to check out as scheduled, his death was discovered.

Full results of an autopsy are not expected for several weeks, Ms. Mauldin said, but preliminary findings indicate that Father Mendola died of natural causes.

At the Jonesboro parish, tears mingled with laughter as hundreds of parishioners celebrated the life and gifts of a beloved friend and parish shepherd. They were joined at the funeral by Father Mendola’s mother, Jennie, his sister Sharon Syracuse, and brothers Vincent, Joseph and Father Michael Mendola, also a Conventual Franciscan priest and his twin. Other members of the Franciscan community and a large representation of archdiocesan priests were present.

Archbishop John F. Donoghue presided at the liturgy, which lasted over two hours and was so well-attended that many people remained standing despite rows of extra searing added in the rear of the church. Seven Clayton County sheriff’s deputies were on hand to direct countless cars to overflow parking lots and the parish ball field.

Father Mendola’s twin brother concelebrated and the funeral Mass with fellow friars Father John Koziol and Father Julio Martinez, members of the Conventual Franciscan team that arrived in Jonesboro in August, 1991 at the request of then-Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM. Also on the altar were Father Thomas Reist, OFM, Conv., vicar provincial of the St. Anthony of Padua Province of Franciscans, Msgr. Edward Dillon, Msgr. Donald Kenny and Deacon Joseph Anzalone.

Father Koziol, who preached the homily said he had prayed to his deceased friend for help with the words he needed to share.

“Tell the parish family how much I love them, how much I respect them as the Body of Christ and as our family,” Father Koziol said he felt the late pastor wanted him to say.

During the homily, he read passages from Father Mendola’s master’s thesis, which described parish life at St. Philip Benizi and his relationship with parishioners.

“The members of our parish are a living sacrament,” he wrote. “(This) church is an instrument of peace and hope, a sign of God’s presence in the world, a living sign of God’s unconditional love and acceptance.”

Father Mendola was deeply committed to the parish and “constantly called us to place our gifts before one another,” Father Koziol said. His own gifts--of boundless energy and deep empathy, a down-to-earth preaching style and the ability to set goals and see possibilities--Father Mendola used in service to others.

“Patrick was deeply in love with Jesus,” said Father Koziol, and, for him, the Eucharist was “the pivotal point” of parish life. Sunday was his favorite day of the week, a time he spent greeting and hugging people, visiting children in their religious education classrooms.

“How do we go on from here?” Father Koziol wondered, expressing his own sorrow at the loss of his close friend. Like the disciples of Jesus, he said, “we are confused and brokenhearted. But we’ll go on with Patrick’s leadership and shepherding. That has not left us.”

Father Mendola grew up in a large, first-generation Italian family in Buffalo, N.Y. and entered the Franciscan seminary with his brother Michael at the age of 17. On May 15 of this year, he celebrated the 19th anniversary of his priestly ordination. He professed his solemn vows as a Franciscan 25 years ago this August 15.

Compassion and concern for young people were a hallmark of his Franciscan life. Before coming to St. Philip, he had served as a teacher, counselor and guidance director at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, N.Y. and was founder and director for 10 years of the Franciscan Center in Buffalo, which ministers to oppressed and homeless youth.

Joseph Mendola, one of many who shared memories of the ebullient Father Mendola at the funeral, spoke words of comfort to parish children and teens.

“Father Patrick danced his way into your hearts,” he said. “He had a non-possessive love for you. He cherished you as special beyond belief.”

Pastoral council chairman Pat Keane told the congregation that Father Mendola had a way of making people feel so comfortable and special that “everyone wanted to be around him.”

His busy schedule often prevented him from accepting parishioners’ dinner invitations, but he was planning to rent out the friary during the Olympics for $1,000 a night. “I’m going to take them up on it then,” he had told her.

Parish finance council chairman Ollie Thompson related that at meetings, Father Mendola exhibited patience, humor and a willingness to listen. “Then he would get his way,” Thompson joked. “He always knew he was the boss but he never made you feel that way.”

Linda Kelly, who worked closely with Father Mendola as parish business secretary, said the pastor truly enjoyed giving. He stockpiled candy in his office “just so he could spoil the kids,” Ms. Kelly said.

“He gave us the gift of himself every day” and felt everyone else had a gift to give as well, she said. “He presented a vision and encouraged (us) to make that vision a reality. Just look at this parish--his vision has become a reality!”

Archbishop Donoghue recalled the warm Franciscan hospitality he received from Father Mendola whenever he visited Jonesboro and said he was moved by the affection and appreciation the priest inspired.

Standing near the coffin where Father Mendola’s worn leather sandals. Buffalo Bills sweatshirt, and rosary were placed, Archbishop Donoghue expressed his sympathy to the family, the Franciscans and the parish.

“He loved St. Philip Benizi,” the archbishop said. “He was a devoted Franciscan and loved being a member of that community.”

Father Michael Mendola told the congregation he was overwhelmed by the warmth his family had received from the parish and understood the stares directed his way because of the strong resemblance to his twin.

“You’ll have to live in Patrick’s shoes,” one parishioner had advised him through tears. The priest replied, “I am living in Patrick’s shoes.”

His luggage was lost on his flight to Atlanta and he literally had to wear his brother’s clothes--and his shoes--until his were found, he explained with good humor.

“Patrick was a visionary. He could not stand the status quo,” Father Mendola said on a more serious note, his voice breaking in sadness.

He encouraged parishioners to be particularly supportive of Father Koziol and Father Martinez and urged openness to other Franciscans the community will send.

“I ask that the Christ (Patrick) shared with you, you share with one another,” he said.

Father Mendola’s three and a half years at St. Philip, though brief, were creative and innovative, members of the parish community agreed. His dynamic leadership style, which stressed shared authority and consensus, reflected a deeply incarnational theology, said Ms. Mauldin.

“He believed people have their deepest relationship with God through their relationships with one another,” she said. As pastor, “his whole goal was to help people encounter Jesus Christ through the sacraments and prayer, but most especially through coming to know one another.”

From that belief came events like “Pastor’s Night at the Braves,” a parish day at nearby Dancing Waters beach, and coffee and doughnuts after Mass, Ms. Mauldin remembered.

While introducing new ideas, Father Mendola supported ongoing parish activities like the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the annual Flint River Festival. This year’s festival was held May 20 as planned, as the parish held back their communal sorrow over Father Mendola’s death.

“It is the loss of a pastor, of a colleague, of a mentor and of a friend,” Ms. Mauldin said. “He was all of those things.”

Contributions in memory of Father Mendola may be made to The Franciscan Center, 1910 Seneca St., Buffalo, N.Y. 14210-1842.