Join me in prayer for
Monsignor Robert O’Connor,
long our ever faithful Pastor,
who has slipped from us into the hands of the one true God.
 
May the Angels lead him into Paradise, may the Martyrs come to welcome him, and with Lazarus, who once was poor, may he too, have everlasting rest!
 
Let us pray:
Lord, we thank you for the life of your servant Msgr. O’Connor
who walked in gentleness and spent himself in making peace.
We trust, that as far as he was able, he chose You in life.
You have now chosen him for life eternal. 
Amen.

Friday, May 20th, is one month since the death of Msgr. O’Connor.  To close our time of mourning, we will celebrate a special Month’s Mind Mass at 5:30pm this friday followed by a reception in the rectory.

Reverend Monsignor Robert B. O'Connor, 85, beloved son of the late Bartholomew and Catherine, passed away peacefully April 20th. Msgr. O'Connor retired recently from Blessed Sacrament after 30 years as pastor where he was beloved by his parishioners. 

He was a passionate advocate for social justice, championing the poor, the homeless, the elderly, and all who were vulnerable in any way. But it was his extraordinary ability to minister to people individually that was his true gift. During his 60 years as a priest, he helped countless people, offering some comfort during difficult times, bringing some back to the Church they had lost, and providing others guidance when they had lost their way. He did it all with love, compassion and mercy without judgment. His friends and family adored him and will hold him in their hearts forever. 

Monsignor O'Connor is survived by his brothers John (Catherine) and William (Anne), as well as his nieces (Brenda, Deirdre), nephews (Mark, Robert), grandniece (Maggie), grandnephews (Will, Jack), and a large extended family. His dear sister, Kathleen, predeceased him.

Please take a moment to sign the Guest Book for Monsignor Robert B. O'Connor:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/DignityMemorial/guestbook.aspx?n=monsignor-robert-oconnor&pid=179703701&sign=1&cid=sugg

For several decades Monsignor O’Connor served as a member of the Board of Directors of Project FIND, infusing our discussions with humor, compassion and the gentle insight earned over the course of a long relationship with people and communities at their best and worst.  A recent transfer to St. Peter’s Church in lower Manhattan, Monsignor previously served as the pastor of The Church of the Blessed Sacrament for nearly 30 years.  Here he directed the church’s energies towards providing nourishment for the indigent and homeless through the Blessed Sacrament Soup Kitchen, transitional housing for the homeless and HIV+ in their shelter and helping older adults build community and spirit. And did we mention, he also ran a first rate educational program? 
 
Lovely to have known you
 
David Gillcrist
Executive Director