Rev. Patrick W. Collins PH.D.

Father Collins is an outstanding preacher, author, musician and university professor. Born in Peoria, Illinois he was ordained to Ministerial Priesthood on May 31, 1964 for the Diocese of Peoria.  He served as assistant pastor at the Cathedral;. Vice-chancellor, Campus Minister at Bradley University in Peoria, as Director of Campus Ministry at The Catholic University of America, as Director of the Office of Christian Worship and Music and as Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral.  During many years he directed the choral music at the cathedral. From 1990 until the present he has been engaged in teaching, writing, preaching retreats and parish missions. From 1996-1998 he was the Murray Professor of Catholic Thought at the University of Toledo. He has lectured at the University of Notre Dame, Catholic University of  America, Loyola University, Catholic Theological Union, St. Michael’s College in VT and St. Meinrad Seminary IN.

Fr. Collins obtained his Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Fordham University in 1972 and his Masters in Church History from St. Paul Seminary in 1963. An accomplished musician, he read for a Bachelor of Music at the University of Illinois in 1959 and a Masters in Music from Bradley University in Peoria in 1983.  He studied choral conducting with Robert Shaw, at Westminster Choir College in  Princeton NJ. His television shows, lectures, writings and recordings are available on his website. Fr. Collins’ commitment to social justice is expressed in his dedication to the work of Cross Catholic Outreach as he joins with us to reach out and help the poorest of the poor in the developing world.