Meet Our Pastor

June 2025

Center Park Family and Friends,

I am Pat Catellier, and I am excited to serve as your pastor, but I want you to know a bit about myself before July 1.
I am originally from the Detroit area; I grew up in Dearborn and graduated from high school there. After graduation, I moved west to Kalamazoo where I attended WMU. I majored in French, and minored in English and taught at two different high schools in West Michigan for 34 years! During those years, I married and had two daughters, Kristin and Kate.  

Years before I retired, I felt a call to ministry and pursued that call. I entered seminary just 3 months after my retirement from teaching.
I felt God’s call to serve folks on the margins of society–the poor, the sick and those who are considered invisible. My direction at Garrett was deacon ministry–specifically in hospital chaplaincy. After graduation I was ordained and served as a chaplain resident at Bronson Hospital and then as a part-time chaplain at Ascension Borgess for about 8 years.

In the midst of my career change, Kristin was married and I have two interesting grandchildren, Lauren 22 and Patrick 16. Kristin, Mark and the kids live in Las Vegas. Kate teaches first grade in the Kalamazoo Public School System.

Early in my chaplain ministry, I established a pastoral connection at Portage Chapel Hill  where I have been in ministry for almost 17 years. While there I established a ministry of congregational care and other outreach programs to the community.
It is an honor for me to be in ministry with you. I know I have lots to learn about you and the ministries in Three Rivers that you have been called to create. I reflect on this African proverb a lot, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

My hope and prayer for us as we journey together is to go far–to dwell in the possibilities that God will provide for us.

I look forward to seeing how God will continue to work in and through us at Center Park.

Peace,
Pat