Rev. Msgr. Michael O'Connor

REV. MSGR. MICHAEL JOSEPH O'CONNOR Born July 26, 1909 in Annascaul, County Kerry, Ireland to John and Mary O'Connor, passed away June 26, 2005. Msgr. O'Connor was the Founding Priest of St. Mel Catholic Church, Woodland Hills. Ordained June 10, 1934 in Carlow, Ireland, then Father O'Connor came to Los Angeles where he was originally assigned as an Associate Pastor at several parishes in Los Angeles. During WWII, he was assigned as a Chaplain to the United States Maritime Service, discharged as a Lt. Commander. After his discharge, he was assigned as Associate Pastor at St. Vibiana Church in Los Angeles. He was then assigned the responsibility of founding St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Long Beach. His desire to found and grow another parish led to his assignment in 1956 to build a church an d parish in what was then the rural, but growing, community of Woodland Hills. His earnest spirituality and caring of people, in general, and his love of and dedication to children earned him elevation to Monsignor on December 11, 1968. Funeral Masses will be held at 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 4, 2005, and 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2005, both at St. Mel Catholic Church. A Reception will follow the Tuesday Mass at the Rev. Msgr Michael J. O'Connor Hall. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City. LORENZEN MORTUARY Reseda Directors (818) 343-4677