Rev. Msgr. Hugh O' Connor

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Founding pastor of St Justin Martyr Church in Anaheim, CA
has gone Home for Christmas.

His funeral services will be Thursday, Dec 27, 11am at
St Justin Martyr Church.
Msgr. O’Connor baptized me and has remained one of the
most important influences in my life.

I encourage all who knew him, were baptized by him and
were touched by his love to attend.

Burial will be at Holy Sepulcher cemetery in Orange.

—once I was not happy about something at the school or the church,
and went disgruntled and sat in the back row at mass to grouse,
Msgr. shook me to the tips of my toes when he said: don’t worry
about what everybody else is doing— worry about You and what
you’re doing or not doing. He always went to the heart of it and
he always led me home to my relationship with God. I have
missed him since his retirement and find it difficult to replace him
in this world.

Thank God for sending him to the sinners in Anaheim. Looking
back I know the many times that his steadfast faith kept me alive
during the turbulent, troubled 70’s and 80’s. So many that I knew
did not make it, did not have that foundation, were not blessed to
have known Msgr. O’ Connor. Holy man extraordinaire.

In a time when the priesthood is under attack in California, we
should celebrate a little more loudly the lives of the priests
that have made such a huge difference to so many.
Any human whose walk is in lock step with his talk!
 
It was great to reads this message about Father O’Connor.
I was googling him a few weeks ago to see if he was still alive.
Then I recieved a msg from my family that he past last week. That was odd.

I went to St Justin in the 1970’s and he was had a very strong impact on my childhood. He was a good man; and I’m happy that he had such a long and blessed life. In my eyes, he was all that was ‘good’ about the Catholic Church, growing up.

cheers,
 
My mother and Father Hugh were first cousins, and I have often visited the little village of Sneem, the Knot in the Ring of Kerry, where both were “bred and buttered” as the Irish say. It is a gentle place of freshness and beauty. In the early 20th century those growing up there found the environmental richness enough and rarely sought materialism. That Father Hugh lived into his ninth decade with gentle humility, kindness, and satisfaction with the provision of God is what allowed him to be a gift to those whose lives he touched. Our mortality takes from us the human presence of those we love and who loved us. Our celebration is that a precious few of those leave indelible growth marks in our souls. We all will be better for emulating this quiet and holy man as we celebrate his life and its gift to us.
 
Do you know his favorite flower perhaps?

He remembered all of us…
he would say, oh you live west over there on _____
and he was well into his 80’s.

Amazing & they said he would give away the store to
the homeless in the neighborhood as he got older.
He was so strict and strong when we were children in
the school, it was a side I was pleased to find later.
Who knows what a heart can hold?

He did a funeral when I was a teen for a teen and he did
it so wonderfully, he eased us and the parents through
such a horrible situation with such grace and compassion,
we all were so grateful to him and everyone mentioned
the great job he’d done at the cemetery.

We always said you want Fr. O’Callaghan for confession–
younger, probably more liberal but
you want Fr. O’Connor for your funeral.

I work for the church and am at work now on Christmas Eve
at 7pm and I like to blame Msgr. O’Connor and Mrs. Duthoy
for it. & thank God for them always.

Thank you for the replies! a very nice surprise
I remember being happy that Msgr. would get to go
home to Ireland. So many had to leave under bad
circumstances and it’s so beautiful there —

Away in a manger…
 
I’m sorry that I can’t tell you what Fr. Hugh’s favorite flower was. He never was one to talk about his personal likes or needs. In fact, he was one of those people who, as you rightly indicate, gave but rarely took. Of course, I’m sure a shamrock would ALWAYS bring a smile to his face!!
My husband, Tom, and I will be at all the funeral events tomorrow (Wed.) and Thursday. We live in San Diego. Perhaps we will see you there if we can pair up as on line identities… Peace and joy to you along with your gratitude for Father Hugh’s presence in your life.
 
These were great comments to read about
Msgr O’Connor …and especially about some of the
old 1970’s folks at St Justin.

I liked the comments about you wanted confession with Callagahan. He was a pushover …so was Father Tim ( the first one, in the 1970’s- with the black hair, young man - I hear he left the priesthood).

As child - O’Connor was very quiet in that confessional in the corner to the ‘right’ as you walked in. It was always the same though …no lecture. Just 5 ‘Our Fathers’ …and a powerful, yet quiet tone.

God bless him. I’m sorry I can not be at the services - as my life has taken me to Arizona, and now Las Vegas but I’ll be sure to look for posts, about Msgr. Hopefully the OC Register, has something to say about this mans holy life,

cheers,👍
 
Tom and I (Fr. Hugh’s cousin, Eileen) have just gotten in from Anaheim – about 90 miles away – from attending Fr. Hugh’s celebrations of life. There was the wake on Wednesday afternoon, the lessons and hymns and rosary on Wednesday evening, and the mass of the resurrection and commitment to the grave today most presided over by Fr. Hugh’s first cousin, Fr. Michael O’Shea.
There were more than 1,000 people at the mass; more than 50 fellow priests concelebrated the mass, and there were also two bishops present, one celebratingthe mass, as well as a contingent of Norbertine brothers. Everyone present was invited to lunch in Fr.Hugh’s honor.
On Wednesday evening, the people of the parish were invited to speak of their memories of Fr. Hugh, and, very quickly, it was clear that his 68 year priesthood impacted endless people of all nationalities from Irish to Vietnamese and Chinese. Obviously, he was a man of service and a man of peace from whom people got the strength and support to overcome turmoil and fear in their own lives. It is said, it doesn’t matter how long one lives; it matters how well one lives, and, in Fr. Hugh’s case, he lived every moment of his 93 years for the hopes and dreams of others. He was a blessing to those whose lives he touched, and it was a privilege to share a portion of his life and death.
 
What a treat to read these comments.
It brought back a lot of memories. Please keep posting any information on the Thursday services.

God Bless Msgr O’Connor. What a great and charmed life he enjoyed and shared with others,

cheers all !

carmen rubino, jr
class of 1976, St Justin Martyr
 
it was a privilege to share a portion of his life and death.

Truly blessed were we, by his steadfast faith, his
sharp humor, his insight and his help throughout the
years. It didn’t seem right to be leaving him at Holy
Sepulcher but that was just me, not wanting to let
go of the fine upbringing and training I received
at St Justin Martyr. My childhood memories.

The class of 71 had a pretty large contingency, we
were representing. Few students returned, perhaps flung
far and wide, perhaps they did not hear but he lives on
in their hearts regardless. It has always been, that little
voice that asks: what would Fr. O’Connor think? I know
it’s supposed to be about God and Jesus but I didn’t
come face to face with them, they sent me Msgr. and
he’s the closest to the Holy Father I’ve come in this world.

When Jane Rice started Ave Maria at the gravesite, I wanted
to sing it for all the times we sang it with Father when, but
I was crying so hard it was just a croak. It was wonderful,
the rosary ended too soon, the reception broke up too soon,
the graveside service went so quickly and the grounds crew
lowering Msgr. into the ground and the hawk circling in the
updrafts. Seeing Jesus A. there, who had come Friday morning
to tell me, saying he felt so bad to bring me the news but
it was not bad news for Msgr.Hugh. I think he’s been ready to
see the face of God for a while now. I hope for him the recep-
tion is as glorious as anyone can imagine.

He’s buried near Monsignor John Sammon, who had said he admired Msgr. O’Connor when I first came to work with him.
Be assured they shall have flowers at the site where their
earthly bodies are interred, if only for my sake and the
color in the wind.

Stuck here for a bit longer without him, we’ll have to muddle through and I can only hope to carry on some of the humor and
compassion and deep faith he planted in our souls.
I was fortunate to get to speak to Father Tim Pierse who is
retired from St Anne’s in Seal Beach and also hails from the county of Kerry. He spoke of how he used to play football, I believe his history with Msgr. Hugh goes back
even further than mine which began in 1958 at baptism.
Someone spoke at the rosary who knew him from St. Brigid’s in
Los Angeles. I felt so bad for them, losing him so young to
us, had never felt that before or even realized it before that
evening.

He was our pastor for over 30 years and until I came to work at the Diocese, I had no idea that is very rare. That we had been lucky
to have him I was very aware but to have him for so long, through all the times of our lives, we were a very tight knit family and
the parish demographic has changed, we lose our aging
parishioners continuously and it can be very painful but it is
part of the process, they tell me and now my biggest fear
has been realized and now I must spend more time with
the ones who loved him as I did. Keep that family closeness
for as long as we are here. Fr. Joseph Nettekoven has
always been such a gentleman and tolerated our obsession
for the retired pastor he replaced and co-existed better
than you’d think anyone in his situation could. He has much
teach us, too.

Someone said at Msgr’s birthday luncheon on Nov 19, 2007 there
were napkins that said: If there’s no golf in heaven, I’m not going
and Msgr. gave a hearty laugh about that.

Thanks for the participation here, I just found this website,
just searched it out to find a place ‘good enough’ to
talk about dear Msgr. Hugh O’ Connor.
It would have been tragic to talk alone — which easily could
have happened. Wish I had seen the recent responses before
the services but unfortunately I did not.

~ Happy New Year to All ~
 
J†M†J
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

God Bless
In Jesus through Mary
Steve
 
Hi, OCGypsy:
Clearly, you were led to great happiness, and I am sure Fr. Hugh was delighted to be of any help, but, naturally, he would just respond with, “It was God’s will; not mine.” Peace and joy to you in 2008. Continue with your good work…
 
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
Code: 
From this day all generations will call me blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

He has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good thing
and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
to remember his promise of mercy,

The promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our prayers in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

v. Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces
(or Invocation appropriate to Praesidium) [note 8]
R. Pray for us.
v. St. Michael and St. Gabriel
R. Pray for us.
v. All you heavenly Powers, Mary’s Legion of Angels
R. Pray for us.
v. St. John the Baptist
R. Pray for us.
v. Saints Peter and Paul
R. Pray for us.

Confer, O Lord, on us, who serve beneath the standard of Mary, that fullness of faith in You and trust in her, to which it is given to conquer the world. Grant us a lively faith, animated by charity, which will enable us to perform all our actions from the motive of pure love of You, and ever to see You and serve You in our neighbor; a faith, firm and immovable as a rock, through which we shall rest tranquil and steadfast amid the crosses, toils and disappointments of life; a courageous faith which will inspire us to undertake and carry out without hesitation great things for your glory and for the salvation of souls; a faith which will be our Legion’s Pillar of Fire - to lead us forth united - to kindle everywhere the fires of divine love - to enlighten those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death - to inflame those who are lukewarm - to bring back life to those who are dead in sin; and which will guide our own feet in the way of peace; so that - the battle of life over - our Legion may reassemble, without the loss of any one, in the kingdom of Your love and glory. Amen.

May the souls of our departed legionaries and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
 
Merciful Lord of all creation, You have called your faithful servant home. May he hear with joy Your greeting at the gates of Heaven: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Lord, grant him eternal rest. Amen.
 
I have so many memories of Msgr O’Conner. I went to my first confession with him, and I was so embarassed when I said “what?” He spoke softly with his great accent, and at that young age, I just couldn’t understand what he told me!

He came to our house to give my Grandfather last rights back around 2000 - I was so suprised he was still driving! He was still so sharp - so caring - and that day during that very sad moment he shared with my family, he appropriatly interjected a very clever comment that made light of the moment. We still talk about it today - somehow we found comfort through that.

You’re right - you wanted this Msgr to say your funeral. A few days later he was saying my Grandfather’s funeral (now that I think about it, it was 7 days to the day of Msgr’s) and his homily was comforting. Since my grandfather was a salesman his whole life, the homily was about being a salesman for your faith. Msgr was that indeed to his parishioners.

I was sorry I was unable to attend his funeral since I just had a baby two months ago and am at home mostly.

He will be missed, but we all know he is at home with our Lord. Rest in Peace Msgr. O’Connor.
 
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust you…have Mercy on him taking him to Your Eternal Peace and Joy…
 
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 
Will say a little prayer for him tonight.

What a blessing, those of you that knew him in his time here on earth. 🙂
 
Just wanted to wish everyone a Blessed and Holy Christmas and to remember Msgr. O’Connor and the anniversary of his going home to the Lord.

You are often remembered and always loved.
Amen.
 
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