John Cardinal O'Connor
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“GIVE GOD PERMISSION”
Words given to John Cardinal O'Connor by Mother
Theresa.
He continues to give these words to all who will
listen
| 1920 - 15 January
JOHN JOSEPH O'CONNOR IS BORN in Philadelphia PA to Dorothy and Thomas O'Connor. 4th of 5 children. As a little child he said he wanted to be a garbage man, doctor or journalist when he grew up. |
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| 1937
GRADUATED West Catholic High School for Boys, Philadephia, PA |
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1937 - 45
ENTERED SEMINARY St Charles Borromeo, Overbrook PA. He was inspired by the Christian Brothers with dreams of possibly becoming a missionary in China or Africa. |
| 1945
ORDINATION TO PRIESTHOOD Early ordination because of the war. Archdiocese of Philadelphia (15 December) He became interested in working with handicapped children. |
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| 1945 - 52
TEACHING & PARISH WORK Taught at St James H.S, and earned Master's Degrees in Advanced Ethics (Villanova), Clinical Psychology (Catholic U, DC) and later a Doctorate in Political Science (Georgetown U, DC). |
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1952 - 79
ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE He responded to a call for chaplains from Cardinal John O'Hara. by entering the US Navy, serving on ships in Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean. USS Canberra (CAG 2) |
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1962 - 64
US NAVAL POST GRADUATE SCHOOL Lt Cdr O'Connor drew so many people together it was necessary to find a larger area to celebrate Mass and the families created a new chapel. (Monterey CA) |
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1964 - 65
3RD MARINES Captain John J O'Connor USN CHC became the Regimental Chaplain of the 9th Marines while in Okinawa / Viet Nam. His standard comment on meeting someone was. "What do you need'? |
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65 - ???? MARINE CORP RECRUTING DEPOT Parris Island, SC |
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???? - 72
QUANTICO VIRGINIA |
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1972
US NAVAL ACADEMY As Senior Chaplain, he was the first Catholic to hold this honor, breaking an old tradition at the Academy. |
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1975 - 79
US NAVY'S CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS Serving all the chaplains in the US Navy |
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1979
RETIRED FROM THE NAVY At the rank of Rear Admiral (June 1), appointed Titular Bishop on Cursola by John Paul II. |
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1983 - 84
APPOINTED 7th BISHOP OF SCRANTON His less than nine month stay in Scranton won him the acclaim of all sectors of society, and allowed him opportunity to convoke the Second Diocesan Synod. (May 6 - June 29) |
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1984 - 2000
APPOINTED 8th ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK He served the church and city of NY's Catolics with a great love and passion for all life including the pre born. He became as much a part of the city as the Yankees and Mets. (Jan. 31). |
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1985
NAMED CARDINAL When he turned 78, he submitted his resignation as required by church law. The Holy Father wrote back, "Keep doing what you're doing. We'll call you." (May 25) |
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2000 - May 3
ENTERED INTO HIS HEAVENLY REWARD After a courageous and redemptive battle with cancer, the Cardinal died at his residence near St Patrick's Cathedral, NY. He was surrounded by his family. |
~ JJ QUOTES ~
... that's not a church, it's chaos ...
"Are we to have a church in which everyone's judgment is equal
to everyone else's? That's not a church, it's chaos. Common sense dictates
that you keep the fox out of the chicken coop."
... The Catechism of the Catholic Church ...
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is given to us to help light
the way of our pilgrimage, to illuminate the path to eternal happiness.
It contains a complete expression of the Church's doctrine and spiritual
heritage. This is what is meant by the "deposit of faith' - the Scriptures,
tradition, all the councils, the teachings of the popes, the teachings
of the saints ...This is indeed a moment of grace.
... integrity of conscience in the military ...
"My interest is not in the closeness of quarters of men
and women, as such. That's a question the military has been wrestling with,
together with various other questions about men and women in the armed
forces, for at least the past 20 years. So what is my concern? That the
integrity of conscience never be demeaned, dismissed, punished or even
unappreciated in the armed forces of the United States. Without it we have
nothing."
... to seminarians/priests ...
"I give you but one mandate: love our Church. Love God's people.
Love them for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and
in health. Love them until death, after which both you and they will be
transfigured."
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"The ministry, my young brothers, is to the poor, to those crucified
in Christ, to the victims of crime, to the perpetrators of crime, to the
free, to the imprisoned, to those who are housed, to those who are homeless.
Always, always, you will be signs of contradiction."
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"As a priest I can promise you sorrow, suffering, sacrifice and
loneliness. If you are good priests, I can promise, as well, the greatest
joy that any human being can experience in this world."
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~ SCRIPTURE ~
... Psalms 71:17 ...
"You have taught me, O God, from my youth, and till the present
I proclaim your wondrous deeds".
... 2 Corinthians 2:14 ...
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession
in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge
of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being
saved and those who are perishing.
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This is an open website. Your photos, letters, testimonies,
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Submissions will be considered to contain permission of use.
Final decisions are left to the discernment of the committee.
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CARTER - BLAIR
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