A peacemaker who, above all else, loved Jesus — this was how Catholics throughout Southern California remembered Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell, who was murdered one week ago at his home in Hacienda Heights.
Hundreds of the faithful gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center on Sunday, Feb. 26 for a solemn prayer service to remember the late bishop’s life. The bilingual service was led by Archbishop José H. Gomez at the annual Religious Education Congress, put on by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
“We all feel the presence of Bishop Dave in a special way, especially here at our conference this weekend,” said Archbishop Gomez, wearing an all-black cassock, during his remarks. “It is beautiful to be able to reflect on his life, his ministry, and his effect on so many people.”
O’Connell’s death on Feb. 18 was days before the season of Lent, and the weekend-long religious education conference attended by thousands of youth, youth ministers and the faithful. But as the community mourns, they hope to find strength, healing and inspiration by remembering O’Connell’s zeal for life, love of people, and his Catholic faith. Many of the conference’s workshops and events, including a sacred prayer space, have been dedicated to him.
O’Connell was “a regular” at RECongress since he arrived to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1979, celebrating Masses and participating in immigration-related talks and workshop, officials from the Los Angeles Archdiocese said. The bishop was mostly remembered by Congress-goers for his friendly conversations with all who stopped him while walking the convention center halls in between workshops and Masses.
Sunday’s solemn liturgy featured special Irish and Celtic prayers and music. O’Connell was born in 1953 in County Cork, Ireland. A slideshow of photo memories from his service was played, showing the Bishop’s deep connection to the people he served for decades around the…
Read the full article here
