Patrick J Twohy

Patrick J. Twohy is a Jesuit priest who has lived with and served the Native Peoples of the Pacific Northwest for 36 years. He has lived with the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes of the Coast Salish Peoples for the past 25 years, and with the Colville Confederated Tribes in Eastern Washington State from 1973 to 1984.

Father Twohy's love and respect for the people he serves has led to his work which describes the spiritual traditions of the Native religions and connects them with the Catholic faith. Two books, numerous articles and renown as a one who speaks with the sanction of both the Native Peoples and the Catholic Church, are the fruit of his work.

His life work as a parish priest in Native communities has brought him to the role of spiritual leader and, now, as a respected Elder in both Catholic and Native communities.

Patrick Twohy's academic degrees include a B.A. in English from Gonzaga University and two master's degrees: an M.A. in English from Gonzaga University and a Masters in Divinity gained at the Toronto School of Theology. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Gonzaga University in 2006 and was the principal Commencement Speaker for Graduation Ceremonies of that year.

Father Twohy has presented papers and addressed numerous academic, community and spiritual, religious audiences and conferences, including the Coryneclee Institute for Peace, Ballycastle, North Ireland, in the Fall Convocation of Faculty at Seattle University in 2006 and the keynote address at the 2009 Conference "Western Conversations", a convocation of Professors of Philosophy, Religion, and Multi Cultural Studies from all of the Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the Western United States.

Father Twohy has served six terms on the Board of Directors of the Tekakwitha National Conference. He is Director of the Rocky Mountain Missions, of the Oregon Provence of the Society of Jesus, a Jesuit Province Consulter since 2002, Chaplain to Native Americans for the Archdiocese of Seattle and Minister to the urban Native community in Seattle, and a guest lecturer at Seattle University. Father Twohy has lectured in Psychology at Notre Dame University with Walter Lanner, distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington. He is the subject of the final chapter, "Modern Renewal", of the book 'The Paths of Kateri', by Christopher Vecsey, University of Notre Dame Press, 1997.

His life as a minister to the Native Peoples is Father Twohy's primary devotion and purpose. He has said that his greatest joy is to live in the Native community where he finds the people steeped in their religious beliefs, living in a richly spiritual world, and willing to share wisdom to a patient listener.

That life and the wisdom and love shared and given to him serve as the basis of his writing. He has authored and published two books: "Finding A Way Home: Indian and Catholic Spiritual Paths of the Plateau Tribes" and "Beginnings: A Meditation on Coast Salish Lifeways". Both works reflect his poetic style and his deep reverence for Catholic and Native tradition and beliefs. "Finding A Way Home" is now in its fifth printing (2009) and has sold over 10,000 copies." Beginnings" is now in its second printing and has had global circulation and recognition.

His work has received positive literary and academic reviews, and, most essential to his life work, the approval of Native Elders and Spiritual Leaders.

"The book, Beginnings, is meant to be a bridge of understanding between First Nations Peoples and other Peoples. Through the knowing of our true relationships with one another, we may find that though we all walk separate paths, we are on one sacred journey." Patrick J. Twohy, in his forward to Beginnings.