Rev. Michael O’Connor dies at the age of 88

Rev. Michael Francis O’Connor, a retired priest of the Diocese of New Ulm, died on Monday, December 5, 2005, at the age of 88.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, December 9, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Joseph in Miesville with burial in St. Columbkill Cemetery in Belle Creek Township (Goodhue, MN).

Father O’Connor was born January 16, 1917 in Goodhue, MN. He was was ordained a priest on January 29, 1944 for the Archdiocese of St. Paul, by Archbishop John Gregory Murray at the St. Paul Cathedral in St. Paul, MN.

He served as associate pastor at the Church of St. Columba in St. Paul and as pastor of the Church of St. Michael in Milroy. Father O’Connor continued his priestly ministry in the Diocese of New Ulm when it was established on November 18, 1957 and served as pastor of the Church of Ss. Peter and Paul in Glencoe, Holy Redeemer in Renville, and St. Mary in Bechyn.

He enjoyed the position of State Chaplain from the Minnesota Knights of Columbus from 1959 to 1961 and had been actively involved in the Pre-Cana work in the Diocese of New Ulm for 18 years.

In 2004, Fr. O’Connor celebrated his 60th Jubilee as a priest.

He retired from active ministry on July 17, 1991, and has resided at St. Joseph Parish in Miesville, MN since his retirement.