Pat Mudd is retiring from her position at Catholic Charities — but will still be working full time for the Arlington Diocese. Since June 2004, Mudd has been juggling two full-time jobs: associate director of Catholic Charities, the agency where she has worked for the past 32 years, and the newly developed role of Victim Assistance Coordinator. Although Mudd will continue to occupy an office at the diocesan building on Arlington’s Glebe Road — exactly where is still up in the air, she admits — leaving her post at Catholic Charities closes the book on her more than three decades of important service to the community.

Mudd started working part-time at Catholic Charities in 1959, when what is now the Arlington Diocese fell under the jurisdiction of Richmond. She spent her college and graduate school summers working at the agency, planting the seeds for what would become her longtime career. Mudd was formally hired by Msgr. Thomas J. Cassidy, then-director of Catholic Charities, in 1965, and handled crisis pregnancy counseling, foster care and adoptions in Children’s Services until 1972. Msgr. Cassidy, now retired and in residence at St. Mark Church in Vienna, described Mudd as "a very conscientious, loyal and hardworking worker for the agency.

"She’s demonstrated her talents and fidelity to a big degree," he said.

From 1972-80, Mudd took time off to raise her three children, but came back to serve as Children’s Services supervisor from 1980-88, followed by program director from 1988-2000. For the last five years, Mudd has been the associate director of social services, where she has overseen children and family services, as well as managed other responsibilities.

During her tenure at Children’s Services, Mudd personally assisted in 148 adoptions and supervised many more. She helped develop Friends of Children’s Services, which has allowed Catholic Charities to have an ongoing link with families who adopt children.

"I have loved working with Children’s Services," Mudd said. "I’m closing three cases now where children I placed in adoption have come back and searched" for their birth parents. "It was interesting to see that whole circle completed."

Steve Luteran, director of Catholic Charities, said Mudd is considered an expert in the adoption field in the state and is also recognized nationally.

"I think her commitment to life exemplifies everything she does," he said. "She really is committed to the children who need to be adopted."

Luteran said that Mudd takes pride in her work and strives to live out the Gospel message. "It’s going to leave a big gap," he said. "It’s hard to imagine a Catholic Charities without a Pat Mudd."

Eliana Turina started working at Catholic Charities in 1978 and has worked with Mudd in different capacities for 25 years. Turina called Mudd "an incredible, thoughtful individual" and a "very conscientious, hard worker.

"I think she really has a tremendous love for this agency and devotion and dedication to its mission," she said. "She really is someone who brings a lot of compassion and caring."

"Patricia Mudd’s expertise and servant’s heart have blessed countless people over the years," Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde said. "I join so many in thanking her for her faithful service to the people of our diocese through Catholic Charities, and now through her continued work as Victim Assistance Coordinator."   

Mudd described her now sole position of Victim Assistance Coordinator as a "new and challenging position.

"It’s a very important role in the Church today," she said. "I’m really looking forward to trying to help the victims that we’re hearing from to find healing and reconciliation in their lives."

Mudd said she is grateful for the opportunity to work at Catholic Charities.

"It was important to me to work in an agency where my faith was respected and encouraged," she said. "I think we have a good staff and are able to do a lot of good work in this community, and I’m happy to have been a part of it."

Mudd’s last official day at Catholic Charities is Dec. 23. And if she has any plans for full retirement anytime soon, she doesn’t let on. "I’m old enough to retire next year," but, she said, "I’m just gonna keep plugging away for now."