Hopefully all of us could name people in the past or present who had an impact on our personal, professional and/or spiritual lives. In some cases we appreciate the efforts of our mentors while they are influencing us in a positive way and sometimes it takes years before we appreciate the impact their words and or actions had on us. If that's the case and we are able to do so, it is a blessing to be able to tell them "Thanks for everthing you did for me." Fortunately, I did have the opportunity and took advantage of it more than once to thank Monsignor John O'Donnell for all that the did to influence and have a lasting impact on my priesthood especially in my early years as a priest (1988-93). During those years I served with him as the associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock. On the first full day I was with him, I joined him and more than a few parishioners, in laying sod behind a new addition to the parish school. He taught me by example that the call of a priest is not just in the ministries that he offers, especially the sacraments, but also to "get dirty" with the parishioners and others in "secular" acrivities and work with them, not just for them, in the name of the Lord.
Monsignor O'Donnell was one of those priests (like Monsignor Malone) who came to the small rural Diocese of Little Rock from Philadelphia to attend the seminary in Arkansas and chose to stay to serve as a priest in Arkansas, which he did for over 50 years (and in his retirement for more than a few years). Though I was young when I was with him and he was around 60 years of age, I was regularly impressed with his work ethic in doing his ministries, especially the pastoral part. While it was somewhat intimidating to share the pulpit with "the best" Catholic homilist in the diocese (according to many), he inspired me with his strong delivery and his upbeat demeanor in celebrating the sacraments. There was no doubt when you left Mass with him as the celebrant, that you had truly "celebrated" the Mass, and that demeanor rubbed-off and influenced my priesthood from an early age. When he went to be with a death row inmate, who he had ministered to when he was a pastor in Pine Bluff and was about to be executed, he stood as Jesus would and did, (with a sinner) and ministered to him until his execution, even though he received more than a little criticism from some people. He was very involved in many Ecumenical activities and forged a bond with ministers of all denominations. I benefitted from that example as well. His ability to pray spontaneously and sincerely, with a great plethora of words in his vocabulary, encouraged me to strive to do the same in my ministry.
Monsignor O'Donnell was such a hard and dedicated worker for the Lord, that at one point I thought about communicating with the bishop, that I feared burnout or an early death for him beause of his pace and all that he did. I, obviously, was wrong--because he continued to "go and blow" (as he put it) and minister to God's people, I believe until he retired at 78 years old; and at his death he was 91 years of age. Even while he lived in a nursing home, he had devoted friends who took him to do the Lord's work at funerals, baptisms and other settings. His love of the Lord, God's people and his priesthood was obvious to many and I believe when he took his last breath on Holy Saturday afternooon, he was soon greeted with "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34). I truly believe he had the BEST Easter of anyone this year, a "heavenly celebration" that will go on forever! REST in peace, Monsignor John O'Donnell! Thank you for all you did for me and for MANY!
Monsignor O'Donnell was one of those priests (like Monsignor Malone) who came to the small rural Diocese of Little Rock from Philadelphia to attend the seminary in Arkansas and chose to stay to serve as a priest in Arkansas, which he did for over 50 years (and in his retirement for more than a few years). Though I was young when I was with him and he was around 60 years of age, I was regularly impressed with his work ethic in doing his ministries, especially the pastoral part. While it was somewhat intimidating to share the pulpit with "the best" Catholic homilist in the diocese (according to many), he inspired me with his strong delivery and his upbeat demeanor in celebrating the sacraments. There was no doubt when you left Mass with him as the celebrant, that you had truly "celebrated" the Mass, and that demeanor rubbed-off and influenced my priesthood from an early age. When he went to be with a death row inmate, who he had ministered to when he was a pastor in Pine Bluff and was about to be executed, he stood as Jesus would and did, (with a sinner) and ministered to him until his execution, even though he received more than a little criticism from some people. He was very involved in many Ecumenical activities and forged a bond with ministers of all denominations. I benefitted from that example as well. His ability to pray spontaneously and sincerely, with a great plethora of words in his vocabulary, encouraged me to strive to do the same in my ministry.
Monsignor O'Donnell was such a hard and dedicated worker for the Lord, that at one point I thought about communicating with the bishop, that I feared burnout or an early death for him beause of his pace and all that he did. I, obviously, was wrong--because he continued to "go and blow" (as he put it) and minister to God's people, I believe until he retired at 78 years old; and at his death he was 91 years of age. Even while he lived in a nursing home, he had devoted friends who took him to do the Lord's work at funerals, baptisms and other settings. His love of the Lord, God's people and his priesthood was obvious to many and I believe when he took his last breath on Holy Saturday afternooon, he was soon greeted with "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34). I truly believe he had the BEST Easter of anyone this year, a "heavenly celebration" that will go on forever! REST in peace, Monsignor John O'Donnell! Thank you for all you did for me and for MANY!