Fr Jim O'Brien RIP
Fr James O’Brien 1931-2009
| Fr. James O’Brien died in Bristol, RI on Friday, March 20, 2009. He is survived by his sister Catherine who took care of Jim in Bristol during the last few months.He was born on November 16, 1931 in Dorchester, MA and educated at Sophia W. Ripley School, Robert Gould Shaw Junior High, Boston College High School and one year at Boston College. He joined the Columbans September 1950. He studied in Milton and in Dalgan Park, Ireland. |  |
Fr Jim was ordained on December 21, 1956 and appointed to Korea in 1957.
He was assigned to Kangwondo where he spent eight years. His early years in Korea were not easy. He lived near the DMZ zone hearing the sounds of gun - fire at night from North Korea. Yet, he established a vibrant parish and built a number of chapels in those days. When the diocese of Wonju was established, he was appointed diocesan councilor. Jim was a very dedicated priest. He worked hard at whatever he was doing.
In 1974 he was assigned to the U.S. and was bursar at the seminary in Milton and a member of the Formation Team. In 1983 he was in charge of Mission Education in Omaha. In the following ten years he established a nation-wide Mission Education program that complemented the diocesan mission programs throughout the U.S.
In 1993 he was assigned to Quincy where he worked at Mission Education. He had a triple by-pass in 1993 that forced him to scale back on his pastoral work.
Jim was a golden jubilarian in 2006. He could not travel to the celebration in Ireland, but sent a letter that was read to the congregation. The following are some excerpts from that letter:
“It’s been a good life full of challenges. I have no major complaints and try to forget the minor ones. I think all of us have made an impact in different ways but overall we have made a good contribution.”
“One personal story helps me to keep my feet on the ground. I was in Michigan for a mission appeal. The pastor was away but left some notes, especially to take a long pause at the introductory rite. Maybe I paused too long but out of the front bench from the voice of a six year old boy: ‘Ma, does this guy know what he is doing?’”
Jim knew what he was doing and he did everything well and passionately. He loved to tell stories - usually about Korea. He loved to read history books, especially the lives of famous political figures like Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams and Harry Truman. His sacred place for reading, reflection and napping was down by our waterfront. He would place his folding chair under a big shady tree with an opening looking out on to our beautiful sparkling Narragansett Bay.”
Fr Jim was buried in West Roxbury, MA.
May he rest in Peace.