Patrick J. O'Brien

PATRICK J. O'BRIEN entered into eternal rest on January 16, 2004. Born in Dublin, Ireland on September 14, 1930 to Patrick J. O'Brien and Margaret Dunne, he is preceded in death by his brother Donal; survived by his wife Helen of 29 years; brother, Diarmuid and wife Imelda; sister, Sr. Marie O'Brien OSF; sister-in-law, Reenie O'Brien and numerous nieces and nephews. Pat was ordained in 1956 at All Hallows College Dublin for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston and faithfully served in the following parishes for 17-1/2 years: as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Houston, St. Mary's in Orange, Shrine of the True Cross in Dickinson, St. Christopher's in Houston, and St. Cecilia's Church in Houston; as Administrator at St. Michael Church in Houston and as Pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Richmond. He also served on the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal from 1965-73 as Notary, Advocate, Secretary, Judge Instructor and Defender of the Bond. Pat was employed for 20 years at Brown & Root, Inc., most recently as Supervisor of Employee Benefits. Throughout his priestly and secular life, he was deeply committed to and involved in community service activities, including the Richmond-Rosenberg Ministerial Alliance, United Way, Interfaith and child welfare boards. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2004, Pat H. Foley Funeral Home, with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 at St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church, 9915 Hollister, with Rev. Robert Tucker, SCJ celebrant. The Rite of Committal will follow at Calvary Cemetery-Forest Park Westheimer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa, 172 Foster St., P.O. Box 35095, Brighton, MA 02135 and/or All Hallows College c/o Msgr. John Delaney, St. Helen's Church, 3033 NW 33rd Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311.