PRIEST REMEMBERED; COLLEAGUES, PARISHIONERS PRAISE SERVICE.Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer At a vigil Mass attended by 2,000 mourners, Monsignor Thomas O'Connell Thomas O'Connell may refer to:
Ushers wore green carnations in tribute to the Irish heritage of ``Monsignor Tommy,'' the founder and former pastor of St. Jude Church, who died Thursday at age 78. ``He taught us the true meaning of `Love thy neighbor,' '' said Grace Johnson, O'Connell's caregiver and friend of 28 years, whose eulogy recounted how the monsignor helped found an ecumenical council ecumenical council: see council, ecumenical. that allowed parishioners to explore other faiths. During the Mass that began a two-day mourning period, Monsignor William Leser blessed O'Connell's casket. It was then escorted to the foot of the altar by an ornately dressed color guard from the Knights of Columbus Knights of Columbus, American Roman Catholic society for men, founded (1882) at New Haven, Conn. (where its headquarters are still located), by Father Michael J. McGivney. , the Catholic men's charitable organization This article is about charitable organizations. For other uses of the word charity, see Charity. A charitable organization (also known as a charity) is an organization with charitable purposes only. . It was to remain in the church for a vigil that will end at 9 a.m. today. During his sermon, Leser recalled O'Connell's unflagging dedication to the parish, his appetite for marmalade and steak and potatoes, and his love of all sports. ``You notice he never baptized bap·tize v. bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing, bap·tiz·es v.tr. 1. To admit into Christianity by means of baptism. 2. a. To cleanse or purify. b. To initiate. 3. on Super Bowl Sunday,'' Leser said. ``He cheated at golf by constantly saying the rosary. He never told anyone that he was praying for others to miss.'' Friends and colleagues recalled O'Connell's efforts on behalf of the St. Jude parish, which had 120 families when he founded it July 1, 1970, and now has 4,000 members. They also recalled how O'Connell insisted on turning off the lights to save pennies on electricity. Only after O'Connell retired in June 1995 did he reveal that his years of frugality had left the parish school with an endowment that now stands at more than $1 million, Leser said. Half of that money is reserved for St. Jude's Elementary School elementary school: see school. - which O'Connell founded in 1982 - while the balance benefits St. Agatha's in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , where O'Connell served as pastor before being assigned to Westlake Village. ``He was everything a priest should be,'' said mourner Janet Courtland, a parishioner at St. Paschal Baylon Saint Paschal Baylon (or Pascal Baylon) (24 May 1540–17 May 1592) was a Spanish friar and is a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. He was born at Torre-Hermosa, in the Kingdom of Aragon, on 24 May, 1540, on the Feast of Pentecost, called in Spain "the Pasch of Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks who came to pay her respects to O'Connell. ``He was just so caring,'' she said. ``If you go to him with a problem, he'd have the right word for you.'' O'Connell was born in Tipperary, Ireland, and was ordained or·dain tr.v. or·dained, or·dain·ing, or·dains 1. a. To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on. b. To authorize as a rabbi. 2. in 1945. He moved to the United States soon after, where he served at parishes in Long Beach, Monrovia, Manhattan Beach and Los Angeles. ``Some people came (to America) because they heard the streets were paved with gold. But this young man came here to be a shepherd,'' Leser said. He was assigned to Westlake Village in 1970, and founded St. Jude a decade later. ``Everybody cooperated, and there was a feeling of Christianity to get the church going,'' said parishioner Ernie Manalio. ``That was his dream.'' O'Connell's influence reached across multiple generations at St. Jude, as he performed baptisms, weddings and funerals for nearly three decades, and served as an inspiration to his congregation, Manalio said. ``If Jesus is a good shepherd, the monsignor is one heck of a sheep dog,'' said parishioner David Uebersax, who was an altar boy during the early days of the church. Leser asked church members to keep O'Connell's memory alive in their words and their deeds. ``However he served you, serve others,'' Leser said. ``And his legacy will live on and on.'' MONSIGNOR THOMAS O'CONNELL Born in 1920 at Tipperary, Ireland. Ordained, June 12, 1945, at Holy Trinity Cathedral Holy Trinity Cathedral, or Trinity Cathedral or other variations on the name, may refer to: In Australia:
Began working in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as an associate pastor at St. Lucy's Catholic Church in Long Beach. First became a pastor at St. Agatha's Catholic Church in Los Angeles and served at parishes in Monrovia and Manhattan Beach. In 1970, founded St. Jude the Apostle
Jude (or Judas) is a Christian saint. He is also called Thaddaeus, Thaddeus or Judas Thaddaeus. Catholic Church with 120 families. Ten years later, the parish church was built, and in 1982, the elementary school opened. Today, St. Jude's has 4,000 parishioners. Celebrated his 50th jubilee as a priest in June 1995, and retired later that month. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos, Box PHOTO (1--Color) O'CONNELL (2--Color) Monsignor William Leser, center, leads a vigil service Monday for Monsignor Thomas O'Connell at St. Jude Catholic Church
(3--Color--Ran in Conejo Edition only) Thousands of mourners attend a vigil Mass for Monsignor Thomas O'Connell. Phil McCarten/Daily News BOX: MONSIGNOR THOMAS O'CONNELL (See text) |
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