[Apologetics] Re: Fr. O'Brien retiring effective June 28

[Art Kelly]

Bret,

I'm very sad to learn that Father O'Brien is retiring.

I cannot believe that he was, in any way whatsoever,
pressured to retire. Still, it's chilling that he said
there would never be altar girls as long as he was at
St. James and, the next thing you know, he's gone.

My own pastor, Father Pollard at St. Vernoica's, does
not allow altar girls either. It would be interesting
to find out how many parishes have done the same. My
guess is that it is a healthy majority. But that's
just a guess.

Please let me know when Father O'Brien's final Mass
will be and of any goodbye receptions or other
functions that will be held for him. I want to come.

Art

--- Bret Bellamy <bbellamy at mindspring.com> wrote:

> Guys,
> 
> It was announced at all Masses at St. James
> yesterday that Fr. O'Brien will be retiring on June
> 28.  I knew he was turning 75 next February, but I
> did not expect it to be so soon.  I half suspect it
> might have been a "pressured" retirement, since Fr.
> O'Brien opposed having "altar girls" at St. James
> and publicly announced they would not be at St.
> James as long as he was pastor.  After June 28
> (don't know the date yet), out new pastor is to be
> the current pastor of St. Frances de Sales in
> Purcellville, VA.  I don't know anything about him. 
> Prayers that we get a Catholic like Fr. O'Brien and
> our other priests and not a liberal.
> 
> Bret
> 


                           
  ART KELLY, ATM-S
  13524 Brightfield Lane
  Herndon, Virginia 20171-3360
  (703) 904-3763 home
  (703) 396-6956 work
  arthurkelly at yahoo.com
  art.kelly at cox.net
  ArtK135 at Netscape.net
   
   















__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com