Meet Our Staff
Fr. Timothy Furlow - Pastor
Fr. Timothy Furlow was born in 1982 in Portland, Oregon. He attended elementary school at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Beaverton, Oregon and graduated from the A Beka Homeschool program in 2000. He attended the University of Portland from 2000-2002 before moving to Baku, Azerbaijan to teach English. In 2004, he began studies at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Philosophy in 2007. That same year he began work as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Music Ministry at St. Cecilia’s Parish in Beaverton, OR, where he worked until entering Seminary in 2010.
Fr. Furlow entered Mount Angel Seminary in 2010 where he completed one year of theology courses before transferring in 2011 to the Pontifical North American College in Rome. There he completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2013 and a Licentiate in Moral Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in 2016. His pastoral ministry training has included assignments at St. John the Baptist Church in Milwaukie, Salvator Mundi Hospital in Rome, Saint Mary’s College (Rome), The Madeleine Parish in Portland, Tacoma General Hospital and Marymount International School (Rome). He was the Parochial Vicar at St. Mary's Cathedral in Portland, OR until July 2018 when he was made administrator of Portland’s oldest parish, St. Patrick Church.
Carolyn Vyborny Operations Manager | 503.222.4086 ext 104 | carolyn.vyborny@stpatrickpdx.org
Hailing from Rockford, Illinois, Carolyn's life journey has taken her through diverse landscapes, from Delaware to vibrant Arizona and the mountains of Colorado. Recently returning to Portland from scenic Utah. Carolyn brings a wealth of experiences and a connection to her faith, having been baptized at St. Peter's in Beloit, Wisconsin.
A proud alumna of Rock Valley College, Carolyn honed her skills on the basketball court as a college athlete, an experience that instilled in her the values of teamwork, dedication, and resilience. Her academic journey continued at Southern Illinois University, where she earned her BA degree, marking a significant milestone in her pursuit of knowledge and personal growth. In recent years, Carolyn has held Director positions at multiple Global Startups, and she is looking forward to a long and successful future here at St. Patrick's.
As a proud mother with a daughter attending the University of Oregon, Carolyn understands the importance of family and support. Her genuine enthusiasm for fostering positivity is a cornerstone of her character. She is dedicated to ensuring that every parishioner feels not just welcomed but embraced. Carolyn is particularly passionate about providing the necessary resources and support.
James Ruiz Pastoral Associate | 503.222.4086 | james.ruiz@stpatrickpdx.org
Originally from Southern California, James moved to Oregon during his early Childhood, where he truly embraced his new community and his faith journey. He was baptized and fully received into the Catholic Church in 2016 at St. Cecilia's Parish in Beaverton, where his passion for lay ministry began through volunteer service. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies, supplemented by certifications in Theology, Sacred Scripture, and Apologetics, from the Augustine Institute, Catholic Distance University, and the Catechetical Institute at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is honored to serve the community of St. Patrick Catholic Church with a dedication to foster spiritual growth and to cultivate community enrichment.
Cenolina Abarca
Administrative Assistant | 503.222.4086 | cenolina.abarca@stpatrickpdx.org
Cenolina, a true Oregonian, born and raised amidst the captivating landscapes of Oregon, where her deep-rooted sense of community and family has flourished. With a natural knack for organization, she thrives on keeping things in order, both at home and within her various endeavors. Beyond her commitments, she cherishes the simple joys of life, from attending church to savoring moments with her children and exploring the wonders of the Northwest every weekend with her family. Engaged in her community, she dedicates her time to a Women's Group and the flower ministry. At St. Pat's she has found and is eagerly giving back by serving in the front office, embodying the spirit of generosity and warmth that defines her character.
Mary Berger Coordinator of Sacred Music | mary.berger@stpatrickpdx.org
Mary grew up in the Seattle area, where she began studying piano at age 5. After earning a high school diploma from the National Guild of Piano Teachers, she continued her studies at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. There she received a Bachelor of Arts in music, specializing in piano performance and collaborative piano/accompaniment, as well as a minor in Catholic Studies from Redeemer Pacific College.
Mary has been providing liturgical music for more than 15 years as an accompanist, singer, and director. She discovered her love for sacred music while at university through the process of rehearsing and performing Bach’s great masterpiece, the Mass in B Minor, with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Mary has sung with ensembles including Portland’s Cantores in Ecclesia, Blessed Sacrament Schola Cantorum, Trinity Western Chamber Singers, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and others. St. Patrick Church became her spiritual home in 2015, and she has served as organist, pianist, and cantor there since then.
Gerardo Perez Seminarian
Gerardo Perez has recently completed his first year of priestly formation, a journey inspired by a profound calling and the example of admirable priests who have guided him. Growing up in Hillsboro, OR, he cultivated a deep appreciation for faith and community. His family, especially his grandmother, helped lay the foundation of faith he currently stands on.
Gerardo graduated from Oregon State University with a major in speech communication, a field that has enriched his ability to connect and communicate with others. Before discerning his vocation, Gerardo worked in the landscaping industry, managing the family business and later serving as an account manager for a landscape company. His roles included sales and estimating, experiences that taught him the value of hard work, integrity, and stewardship of God's creation.
His call to discern the priesthood was not a sudden revelation but a gradual realization. "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few" (Matthew 9:37) resonates deeply with him. The need for dedicated priests is evident, and he is inspired by the words of St. Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire,” Gerardo believes that any man who truly loves Jesus must eventually ask, "Is this my calling?" He has asked himself this question and has decided to fully plunge into the sea of discernment. As he continues his formation, he is committed to serving God and His people with humility and love. Gerardo is excited to be part of this parish and looks forward to getting to know everyone.
