Brother Patrick Ignatius Dickson Memorial Fund

For the last seven years, Brother Patrick Ignatius dedicated his life to Fessenden House. Fessenden House is a supportive housing facility in Yonkers, New York for formerly homeless men in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction who are also dealing with medical problems, such as HIV/AIDS or psychiatric disorders.

In celebration of his life, his dedication to Fessenden House, and the men whose lives he touched, our Board has established the Brother Patrick Ignatius Dickson Memorial Fund, dedicated to purchasing our current building and providing the renovations it so urgently needs to continue its legacy of service. Your contribution, large or small, will help ensure that Patrick’s legacy lives on at Fessenden House.

Celebrating Patrick’s Life
Patrick began and ended his life in this community of South Yonkers. He was born just a block away from Fessenden House, on Willow Place. He was baptized at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, and much later was ordained deacon there, serving many years in the church and the archdiocese.

After becoming an Episcopalian, Br. Patrick entered the Brotherhood of St. Gregory in 1996. He had a particular affinity for working with people in prison, and he served as a chaplain at the Westchester County Correctional Facility and in the prison ward at Westchester Medical Center. He also served at Trinity St. Paul’s Church in New Rochelle, doing pastoral work with homeless men and women.

Br. Patrick came to Fessenden House on March 17, 1998—his birthday and, not-coincidentally, St. Patrick’s Day. Given his dedication to serving men who had been homeless and in prison and his amazing generosity of spirit, he immediately became an invaluable asset to our common mission. Patrick was diagnosed with cancer in 2000 and by 2002 became too sick to work, but he continued to live in community and give of himself to the house and to the men in residence there.

Celebrating Patrick’s Spirit
Each member of the Brotherhood of St. Gregory is encouraged to develop his gifts and talents under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and with the care and direction of the community. Patrick’s gifts were many, but he will be especially remembered at Fessenden House for his ease in making all kinds people feel comfortable and supported, and the sense of humor that lay beneath his serious exterior.

Celebrating Patrick’s Dream for Fessenden House
Br. Patrick dreamed of the day when Fessenden House would be able to buy and renovate its current building. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, which owns the former convent that has become Fessenden House, is contemplating putting the property up for sale—and we need to be ready! We estimate that it will cost approximately $850,000 to purchase the building and make needed renovations.

The Brother Patrick Ignatius Dickson Memorial Fund will be an essential piece of making this dream a reality. It may seem like a big dream, but please understand that any donation you are able to make will have a huge impact. (Even if you are not moved to make a donation at this time, there will be other ways for you to show your support.) As we seek funding for the purchase and renovation of our building from foundations, banks, other corporations and government agencies, it will be essential to demonstrate tangible community support for Fessenden House and the work we do—work that meant so much to Br. Patrick.

We know that you valued the life and ministry of Brother Patrick. This is the time to stand up and be counted. Can we count on you today to add your name and your gifts to keep Patrick’s ministry