MASS FOR A SHEPHERD; MAHONY EULOGIZES MONSIGNOR.

Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer

Cardinal Roger Mahony celebrated Monsignor Thomas O'Connell's spirit and life service as a ``real shepherd'' of the faith during a funeral Mass on Tuesday at St. Jude Catholic Church.

Mahony, head of the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese, recalled O'Connell's 54 years of service to the priesthood during the second of two days of mourning for the founder of St. Jude.

``We know that he is at home,'' Mahony said. ``It is left for us to capture that spirit.''

In addition to parishioners and O'Connell's relatives, the tearful mourners included Archbishop William Levada of San Francisco, about 50 priests and religious leaders, representatives from the Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks city councils and the consul general of Lithuania.

The 2,000 mourners listened as Mahony recalled O'Connell's oft-repeated remark that boundaries between the parishes did not concern him, because as a good shepherd, the sheep would always find his parish.

``He certainly was indeed a pastor - a real shepherd who knew the sheep, who knew the people,'' Mahony said during the two-hour service. ``Monsignor Thomas was wherever the people were, wherever they all came, wherever the need was evident.''

O'Connell died Feb. 11 of a heart attack following his latest cancer surgery. He was 78.

As a founding member of the Westlake Ecumenical Council, O'Connell set an example for religious leaders of all faiths, said eulogist Rabbi Alan Greenbaum of Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks.

``I found him to be one of the most positive and optimistic people I've ever known,'' Greenbaum said. ``He always had a kind word, and he always, always, always cared about everyone else before himself.''

Religious leaders often must show compassion or good spirits on a moment's notice, even when doing so sometimes conflicts with their own feelings, Greenbaum said. Many leaders have a bag of tricks that they rely upon to summon up good feelings.

But the monsignor ``didn't pull them out of a bag,'' Greenbaum said. ``He pulled them out of his spirit.''

At the service, Greenbaum honored his friend's humility and sincerity.

``You will always be a part of my life,'' he said. ``I will always close my eyes and see your smile and feel your warmth.''

Speakers remembered the range of O'Connell's character, from his unyielding sense of servitude to his enjoyment of the game of golf.

``He was insatiable in the sense of service,'' said Monsignor John Sheridan, the retired pastor of Our Lady of Malibu, a longtime friend.

O'Connell's actions became an inspiration to other priests, said Monsignor Felix Diomartrich of St. Anthony in Los Angeles who was a regular golf partner of O'Connell.

``You are now in the heavenly clubhouse,'' Diomartrich said. ``Pray for us.''

The crowd wept as pallbearers led O'Connell's casket out of the church that he founded in 1970. Bagpipers honored the native of Tipperary, Ireland, in front of the church as his casket was loaded into the hearse. He was buried at Assumption Cemetery in Simi Valley.

At a reception after the funeral, the parish hall was filled with many photographs of O'Connell, with nearly every one showing him smiling his familiar toothy grin.

``He taught us well through his prayer, his devotion, his life,'' Mahony said. ``We take comfort in the hope that one day we will see him again.''

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PHOTO (1-2--Color) Cardinal Roger Mahony, left, archbishop of Los Angeles, leads funeral Mass services Tuesday for Monsignor Thomas O'Connell, founder of St. Jude Catholic Church in Westlake Village, who died Feb. 11. About 2,000 mourners came to remember, listen and pray, below.

(3) Cardinal Roger Mahony talks with altar boys at St. Jude Catholic Church before Monsignor Thomas O'Connell's funeral Mass.

(4) Veronica Rogers mourns her longtime friend Monsignor Thomas O'Connell at his funeral.

Andy Holzman/Daily News