The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-07-13
REV. FATHER O'BR|EN.
DIED SUNDAY IM0RN|NG
Was Eleven Years Pastor in
Palatka-Vicar Gener-
al of Diocese.

Very Reverend John O'Brien, vicar
general of the Catholic diocese of st.
Augustine and rector of the Cathe-
dral, died in St. Vincents' Hospital,
Jacksonville, last Sunday morning
about $3.50 o'clock. Death was due
to atrophic cirrhosis of the liver from
which he had suffered about two
weeks.
Palatka people who remembered the
long and faithful pastorate of the
foundly stirred by the news of his
death. Few men in the ministry ev
er get quite so close to the real heart
of the people Of this city as did Faith
er OBrien. He gave up the pastor
ate of st. Monica's church, Palatka,
the latter part of September, 1908,
when he was appointed to the pastor
ate of Fernandina. At the time Of
his leaving Palatka The News said:
There will be widespread re-
gret in Palatka over the departure
of Father O'Brien. He has been pas
tor of st. Moncas nearly eleven
, years, and aside from his priestly Of
f flee, is scholarly, affible and polished
5 gentleman who has taken deep in
l terest in all that concerns the welfare
= of the city and its people. The re-
5 gret of Palatkans, however, will be
: balanced somewhat by the knowledge
=, that the change is a deserved promo
ton and that in his new work Father
O'Brien will have larger field OF
endeavor."
The story of his life is told in the
st, Augustine Record of Monday. 1t
= says:
! In November, 1886, Father O'Brier
I entered the American College IN Rome
to prepare for his work as a priest
in this diocese Of St. Augustine, ther
! governed by the Rt. Rev. John Moore
of happy memory. For SIX years
Father 0'Brien pursued his studies II
philosophy and theology in the world
famous College of the Propaganda
where he distinguished himself as one
ol of the most brilliant among the nun
g dreds of talented young men from al
ly parts of the world who were his cias
p fellows. During these years he hal
as his companions the Rt. Rev. M. t
SIS Foley, bishop of Jaro and former rec
ge tor cf the Cathedral; DR.. Thoma
Moore, a nephew Of Bishop Moore
g. nr d. William Turner of the Catholi
University, and DR.. Michael Mahel
nd rector of the Church of the lmmacu
late Conception, Jacksonville, a
priests of this diocese.
Father O'Brien was ordalne
priest in the basilica of st. John La
ter9n, Rome, on the, 18th of Jun'
1900 bv His Eminence Cardinal r.
Il ,rioor of Rome. A
ter a short vacation IN ireland Wnly M
was spent with his parents, Fatn>
O'Bricn, in company with rather ;, MI
. her, came to Florida IN the ran e
d. 1892. He was first appointed TO
Monica's church, Palatka, and SOC
to cndeared himself to the citizens
ra- that place, irrespective OF rellgious d
nd fIation by his zeal, his splendid ts
be cnts and his active ASSOCIATION IN c
to orv movement that made for CIV
su- nroqrcss. He built the ,preSe
no. church edifce in Palatka, and stun
lated interest in Catholic educate
as attending at the same time ooutlyl
ian n,issiong in Putnam and Volusla cou
eo11 ties. ...o1 b,, +
lity late Rt Rev. Bishop Kenney to
red Is iaroc and important parish of
ted Michael in Fernandina. There ne W
on ot all times revered by the cltlzG
red rnpardless of creed, who saw IN n
nof onIv the devoted priest but a
in The rublic-Sprited citizen ready
,ers I'll times to lend his best efforts,
neir anv cause that made for the bet.
nin- mcrt of the community. lie !
OBJ oucntly occupied positions on puL IL
nty boards and more than once WIS ( q
ed upon to voice the sentiments
lers the people on matters OF lmpoItan
ary. In 1910 Dr. Foley, then rector
'ood the Cathedral, was promoted 10
cniscopatc, leaving vacancy III
Cathedral. In 1911 Father y ~ DJ ol,
was appointed rector of the CatneG
NJ, 70 succeed his classmate, Bishop
M, Iev On the death Of Bishop n
snd nev in October, 1913, Father y br
ers. was named admin strator OF the
can't diocese. Up to the time OF
appointment of a successor 10 oi1i
Kennev, Father O'Brien exercised
N q the powers of a bishop.
!, iost On the 3Oth of June, 1914, the M
oe4s o''fS 1v- -consecrated Bishop performed
Ioo2 on GrSt act of his administration by
+;f,l nointing the Very Reverend Fat
p Tba =" H'Prien vicar general of the dioc'
Mrs. From that tlme uil'tt H. IN b;sbnn in
most death he acteo Nun cntIoI;o CnI cburcl
[. F. government OF tle ~ Ga'i L;sbon;S
Mr.. Florida. during 're 4hod,,aI Fat
Mrs. sences from !he S".' :, mat
!. L. O'Brien took MS plaee !"
lson, episcopal. c.,,aro, and
Kun As rector OF Ine SdIlSui"i '