Honoring the Life of Patricia Simmons

Former CAC Co-Director Pat Simmons (1988–1994) passed away on April 25, 2023. In this article fellow Co-Director Christina Spahn reflects on their journey together during the early days of the Center for Action and Contemplation. 

On April 25, 2023, Pat Simmons, one of the first four CAC co-directors, died peacefully, surrounded by the prayers of her four children, extended family, and the many people who through the years had come to know and love this beautiful woman.  

I first met Pat on the day in late 1988 when Fr. Richard Rohr and Bill Jordan invited us to come to CAC and, at the same time, interview for a co-director’s position.  Pat described her many years in child advocacy programs including her most recent position as executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central New Mexico.  

I reflected on my years involved in faith formation programs including my work as the director of religious education for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.  Upon the conclusion of our discussion, Richard and Bill affirmed the complementary work histories and skills we had and suggested a job-share – something that neither Pat nor I was willing to consider.  Just from the little we’d heard, we both recognized that there would be more than enough work for the four of us, and Richard and Bill soon agreed. 

Those were some of the most idealistic years of our lives. The four of us were truly a team, cleaning the refrigerator one day and introducing a world-famous speaker the next.

.That agreement initiated some of the most exciting and fulfilling days of our lives. The four of us were truly a team – engaged in the type of top – bottom management that allowed one to clean the refrigerator one day and introduce a world-famous speaker the next. While we each had specific areas of focus and responsibility, we met regularly to update each other on those areas and to make major decisions

Christina Spahn

In addition, early on we started the practice of gathering in the chapel each morning for contemplative prayer and doing a weekly check-in, during which, frequently with some vulnerability, we reflected on how our lives were going.  We were not only co-workers but also friends! 

Those were some of the most idealistic years of our lives.  Early on, the four of us agreed to work for the salaries we needed – not for what education, experience, and job responsibilities might have otherwise entitled us to.  We did sanctuary work, and, in those late Cold War years, we organized a weekly morning vigil at Kirtland/Sandia Labs where we held signs inviting people to consider the implications of national defense policies.   

We hosted interns from around the world, accompanied them in 1×1 relationships, and facilitated an experience of volunteer work, prayer, reflection, and discernment that frequently changed their lives.  We organized retreats and programs that featured some of the best English-speaking thinkers of our day including Joan Chittister, Dom Helder Camera, David Stendl Rast, Daniel Berrigan, Edwina Gately, Joanna Macy, Ruben Habito, Rosemary Radford Reuther, Thomas Gumbleton, James Finley, and, of course, Richard Rohr. 

Daily life, programs, and the CAC itself have changed dramatically since its beginning. we are grateful for being part of the CAC’s early history and feel ourselves and all involved at the CAC to be truly blessed.

Christina Spahn

Daily life, programs, and the CAC itself have changed dramatically since its beginning.  Organizations evolve and, with a much larger staff and impressive technology (we had no computers and only two phone lines – one of which was hooked up to the fax machine!), the CAC has changed to respond to today’s needs. The skills required now are very different than those needed in the Center’s early days.   

Yet, I’m aware that, without those early days and the firm foundation laid then, there might not be a now.  Based on conversations during her last days, I speak for both Pat and me in saying we are grateful for being part of the CAC’s early history and feel ourselves and all involved at the CAC to be truly blessed. 

The Faculty, Staff, and Board of Directors at the CAC gratefully acknowledge Pat and Chris’s contributions to the organization and the growth of the Christian contemplative path of transformation.