Celebrating Father Twohy's Life of Service

Patrick Twohy, S.J., has devoted a half century to living with and supporting Native and Indigenous peoples throughout the Northwest. During these 50 years he has worked closely with many tribes, earning their trust and love for his infinite commitment to share their stories, struggles, loss and joy alongside them.

Fr. Twohy, who joined Seattle University in 2006, recently retired and Seattle University is giving him a proper sendoff with a celebration on Friday, December 1, 4–7:30 p.m. at Campion Ballroom. The campus community is invited to attend the event and share their memories with the man of the hour. 

Fr. Twohy’s work with tribal communities began in the summer of 1973 when he was at Gonzaga University and asked to go to a nearby reservation in his capacity as a Jesuit priest. This ask brought him to the Colville tribe in Eastern Washington. 

From the outset it was clear that this work was his true vocation—he felt a pull that brought him onto their land and into their lives. 

“It was a conviction, an inspiration that showed itself to me," Fr. Twohy says. "As a Jesuit trainee I spent some summers on reservations. I had good experiences and didn’t feel the tragic pain of it all. There was probably a seed first planted there. I admired the priests that practiced there, helping people often pushed to the margins.”

At SU, he was instrumental in the opening of the Indigenous Peoples Institute (IPI) and has advocated tirelessly for the university to provide access to educational opportunities for Native and Indigenous peoples. In honor of his enduring legacy, the university has established the Indigenous Peoples Institute Patrick Twohy, S.J. Endowment, which will help support events, academic programs and Indigenous students at SU. Contributions are now being accepted to support the endowment, which will also encourage more Indigenous students to attend, find community and thrive at SU.

With a life dedicated to service, Fr. Twohy’s has impacted, in extraordinary ways, the lives of so many. All are invited to share a memory, a photo or a note of gratitude.

Read more about Fr. Twohy’s life of service in this recent profile in The Newsroom.