Fr. Michael K. O Rourke

O'ROURKE, FATHER MICHAEL K. Father Michael K. O'Rourke, 66, Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, Appleton, entered his Eternal Home on Monday, February 22, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton. He was born on April 26, 1943, in Janesville, Wisconsin to Faye Maxine Kennett O'Rourke and the late Edward John O'Rourke. Father Mike was a gentle and humble man. With a quiet strength and fierce determination, he lived his faith. Father Mike held firmly to values such as family and devotion to country. As St. Mary's Pastor, he successfully led the parish through two renovations and fought with love and passion to keep open Catholic Central Elementary School. Father Mike's real legacy lies in the many lives he touched during his ministry. He will be deeply missed by his O'Rourke and parish families—especially the Littmanns, Bryans, Dresangs, as well as by his beloved cat, Boots. Fr. Mike attended Abbott Pennings High School, Sacred Heart Seminary, Oneida and St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee. Father Mike was ordained on May 31, 1969, by Bishop Aloysius J. Wycislo at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay. His first appointment was as Associate Pastor at St. Peter Parish, Oshkosh 1969. He then served as Associate Pastor at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, Neenah 1974. On July 1, 1986, Father Mike was appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Appleton, where he has served for more than 23 years. He also served as an advocate for the Marriage Tribunal, as a member of the Presbyteral Council 1998-2004, as a member of the College of Consultors 2001-2005 and as Pastor Consultor on the Pastor's Review Panel since 2005. Father Mike authored the book, Come, Follow Me! of which the Green Bay Diocese had permission to use in schools, parishes and other programs. Survivors include his mother, Faye Maxine O'Rourke, Palm Harbor, Florida; his siblings, Richard O'Rourke, Caribou, Maine; Marilyn O'Rourke Downs, Clearwater, Florida, and her daughter, Erin Downs, Chicago, Illinois; Maureen O'Rourke, Boston, Massachusetts; Bob Pam O'Rourke, and their children Brian and Christi, Thomaston, Georgia; and Tom Anna-Marie O'Rourke, Atlanta, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his father and his niece, Jamie Downs. The Funeral Liturgy, expressing his faith and hope in the promised glory of the Lord's Resurrection, will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010, at ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 312 S. State Street, Appleton, with Bishop David Ricken and Bishop Robert Morneau presiding. Father Lawrence Abler, O. F. M., Cap. will preach the homily. Friends may call directly at the church on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and again on Friday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Private interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Appleton. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the "St. Mary ACES School Fund." The family would also like to sincerely thank all of the loving caregivers at St. Elizabeth Hospital and all of those who supported Father Mike's family during this difficult time. Wichmann Funeral Home 537 N. Superior Street Appleton, WI 920-739-1231 Online Condolences www.wichmannfargo.com "Thy will be done."