From investment banker, real estate mogul to California priest

Father Patrick Moses, a priest of the Diocese of Orange, Calif., has been a parish priest since his ordination in 2003. Before he was ordained, Fr. Moses worked as an investment banker and he had a successful real estate business. Despite his financial success, however, he began to feel that something was missing. A conversion experience during a retreat led him to discern where God was leading him. Today, Fr. Moses, 50, is the pastor of St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress, Calif. He serves as chaplain of Legatus’ Orange Coast Chapter. He spoke with Legatus magazine staff writer Brian Fraga.

Fr. Patrick Moses

What was your life like before your conversion experience?

I was raised Catholic. I received all my sacraments, but I was the kind of Catholic who sat in the pews and that was about it. I had a degree in economics, a degree in finance. I was in investment banking. I went to graduate school and started a real estate business with my friend. I was really focused on the material aspects of my life. The evidence of success for me was financial. As long as you were financially successful, your life was successful.

What changed?

The more successful I became, the more empty I felt. That led me on a journey to find out what was really important. Basically, I was trying to understand what the meaning of life was. A young employee who knew that I was Catholic challenged me. That started the whole process of prayer and reflection. I went through a year of feeling empty. I felt the need to go to church. I was later invited to go on a retreat.

What happened at the retreat?

It was on the retreat that I began to understand who God was and his forgiveness. I had some unforgiveness in my life, and the retreat was where I learned how to forgive some people. That kind of changed everything. It was from the moment of that conversion, that retreat, that I knew I didn’t want to be part of the real estate company anymore. I knew that was not what I wanted to do. I went on a three-year journey of prayer to discern my calling. I almost gave up after two and a half years. I felt tired of praying. I was tired of asking God what he wanted me to do, but my friends kept saying, “You must keep praying.” It was because of that experience of persevering in prayer that I finally heard my call.

What assignments have you had as a priest?

I’ve always been involved with parish work. It’s where I’m called to be. It gives me life. It’s a daily powerful experience for me to be involved in the lives of people and their families, to help them encounter Christ — not only through their own prayer life but also through the sacraments. I can’t imagine doing anything else. How did you come to be acquainted with Legatus? I’ve been involved with Legatus for about a year now. My bishop asked me if I would be the chaplain for the Orange Coast Chapter. I didn’t know that much about Legatus, but then I got to meet the members, and that is when I really began to understand what Legatus is all about.

I’m edified by these people who are business leaders and CEOs. I’m edified by their love and devotion to the Church and their desire to be good leaders in their workplace. People do look up to them. It’s important that, as prominent Catholics, they set an example and give witness to God’s love.

BRIAN FRAGA is Legatus magazine’s editorial assistant.