Patrick Moore

A Funeral Mass for Abbot Patrick will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England with Bishop David Kagan celebrating and Abbot Brian Wangler, O. S. B. concelebrating.


Visitation for Father Patrick will be Monday, August 13, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England with a Vigil Service being held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England on Tuesday, August 14, 2012.


A Feast of the Assumption Mass for Abbot Patrick will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND with Abbot Brian Wangler celebrating. A Committal and Burial Service will take place at the Assumption Abbey Cemetery. Visitation for Abbot Patrick will be Tuesday, August 14, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Assumption Abbey with a Vigil Service being held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass.


Abbot Patrick (Donald) Moore, OSB, 73, died on August 9, 2012 in a head on collision south of Belfield, ND.


Abbot Patrick was born in Devils Lake, ND, on June 20, 1939 to Lawrence and Susan (Tiechrow) Moore. He was second youngest of seven children. After graduating from St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he completed seminary studies at Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND and was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1966. During summers after his ordination, Abbot Patrick studied French from 1965 – 1968. He studied at Georgetown University, at the University of Montreal, and at Middlebury School of French, during which he spent a year in Paris. In 1975, Abbot Patrick earned a Master of Arts degree in counseling from the University of North Dakota. During the summer of 1975, he was at New Orleans, LA, studying communications. He then became Director of the Communication Centre at Assumption Abbey. On September 1977, he became Assistant Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Glen Ullin, ND and part-time teacher at the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND. Abbot Patrick attended the chaplaincy preparation program at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Washington, DC during 1978 – 1979. He was named as chaplain on September 1, 1979 to St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, ND. He continued in this position until he was elected seventh abbot of Assumption Abbey. From April 6 through August 1, 1995, he was appointed Administrator of St. Ann’s Church, Hebron, ND. At the then required age of 65, Abbot Patrick resigned as abbot on May 28, 2004. The President of the American Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Monasteries asked him to serve as Administrator of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey, Richmond, VA. Abbot Patrick served in that capacity until June 30, 2009. While at Richmond he also served as part-time chaplain to a veterans hospital. After his return to North Dakota Abbot Patrick was appointed, on Agusut 5, 2009, as pastor of St. Mary’s Church, New England, and St. Elizabeth’s Church, Lefor, ND. He served in this capacity until his death.


Abbot Patrick is survived by five brothers: Jerry Moore, Santa Ana, CA, Louis (Jeannie) Moore, Billings, MT, Tom (Judy) Moore, El Cajon, CA, Duane (Vonnie) Moore, Wadena, MN, Mark (Nancy) Moore, Madison, WI, and one sister, Barbara (Jim) Webster.


Abbot Patrick was a high-energy person. He mixed easily with people and was generous with his time. He was neat with everything in place in his office and personal space. May he rest in peace.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: August 14, 2012
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England