Integration III Patrick McKenzie Moreau First Year Experience Integration III 3/4/22 The Eulogy of Patrick Joseph McKenzie Patrick Joseph McKenzie was a good man. Sometimes it's best to leave it like that. He was a good man. A man of courage and empathy. A man of stubbornness and resilience. A man of character and integrity. Admiral Byrd once said, “Half the confusion in the world comes from not knowing how little we need” (“Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). Patrick was a simple man. He was bothered by little and lived with improvisation and diligence. He made the very best of what he had and kept his imagination open like a child’s. Patrick found joy in the simple things: building, creating, pursuing and questioning knowledge, constructing friendships, and treating everyone with integrity and tenderness. Patrick found joy in building with Legos because he understood they could be broken down and rebuilt over and over and over again with endless possibilities. He built from his heart. He knew one idea was not final. Anything could be taken apart and rebuilt. The same goes for people. Patrick saw ways to build people up (“The Right Way to be Introspective” by Tasha Eurich - Moreau FYE Week Six). He was not interested in tearing things down or knocking people down. Patrick sought out ways to make others better people. Pope Francis acknowledged, “Life is about interactions” (“Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone” by Pope Francis - Moreau FYE Week Seven). Patrick was one who could get along with anyone. He allowed himself to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is not a weakness. Vulnerability leads to the https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript “concrete language of love” (“Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone” by Pope Francis - Moreau FYE Week Seven) which Patrick demonstrated day in and day out. Father Himes states, “Joy always pushes us forward. It’s an impulsion, a pressure to move forward, to do more, to extend oneself more deeply, more richly, to open one's talents even more widely than one had before” (“Three Key Questions” by Michael Himes - Moreau FYE Week Three). Patrick pushed himself to find joy in whatever task he was accomplishing. To him, a task was no task at all. It was an opportunity to expand his abilities and discover something new. Patrick applied himself with an open heart and mind. He smiled through tough work and he smiled through the fun work. He smiled because he understood he could make others smile. Patrick was a “lighthouse and the crossroads” (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barc and Christien O’Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two) because he was never defined by one action. He traversed a path in which he strived to do his best at everything he did. He was stubborn with his values, understanding of his interests, and practical with his skills (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week Four). He valued structure over beauty and took personal responsibility in his own creations (“Discernment Conversation Activity” Moreau FYE Week Five). Patrick was a man who spread kindness through his actions and felt a responsibility to end “the opposite of kindness” (“Discernment Conversation Activity” Moreau FYE Week Five). With a relentless spirit, Patrick was indestructible. Physical wounds only left him with a smile and his self-discipline kept his mind keen. He was described as “willing to stick his face in the spokes of a bike wheel to stop it from spinning”. He stumbled but never fell. He would bend, but not break. His character was rooted in a solid foundation that never waivered. https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/39614/files/469056?module_item_id=144382 https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit Patrick was a consistent man of value. He did his work day in and day out. He let his morals guide him and he valued you as the person you are. His circle was tight-knit, yet his impact rippled to those who knew him. His integrity was at the forefront of every action, discussion, and interaction he had and he demonstrated the utmost respect for everyone. Patrick let his values guide his daily life (“Discernment Conversation Activity” Moreau FYE Week Five). Patrick greeted you with a smile and wave. He shook your hand firmly and looked you in the eye. Patrick always showed up early and respected your time. He always asked what he could do for you. He was one to ask what to be proactive about a situation and does not resort to asking why something happened (“The Right Way to be Introspective” by Tasha Eurich - Moreau FYE Week Six). He was concerned about the future; how to plan, educate, and prepare. Patrick was not discouraged by the things he did not know how to do, for he observed the strategy of others and asked questions to gain meaningful insight (“5 Minutes” by Aria Swarr - Moreau FYE Week Six). As we reflect back upon and celebrate the life of Patrick Joseph McKenzie, we realize we have witnessed a life lived to the fullest. He would not tell you that however because he was too focused on being in the moment. Patrick forged relationships, built people up, and let his values construct his destiny. He was a gentle giant. A man of good character and good integrity. He discovered his purpose and exercised his values in a consistent, everyday manner. Patrick understood how to slow down life and find joy in the darkest of days. He was a steady man, one who did not show great emotion, never too low and never too high. With a smile and wave, his greeting went a long way to whomever he passed by. Patrick was never afraid to speak the truth; even if it was something you did not want to hear (“Discernment Conversation Activity” Moreau FYE Week Five). Patrick was an intellectual. He always wanted to learn more, formulate https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit hypotheses, and did not waste his time in unnecessary social settings. Patrick touched the hearts of every human being he encountered. He is an inspiration to us all. Patrick showed us how to demand the best of ourselves. He showed us how to demand the most out of each other. He showed us how to get the most out of life. In his humble spirit, Patrick would just want us to say one thing: He was a good man.