Canon James O’Brien Celebrates 60 Years of Priesthood
James Fanahan O’Brien was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork on 24th
January 1919, the fifth of six sons of Denis O’Brien, farmer, and his
wife Mary. He is the sole survivor. He was named James after an uncle
who rumour has it, encouraged his early gifts for sport. At an early
age he was interested in hurling and enjoyed playing with his local
team, and still follows the fortunes of his County Team. At college he
took up tennis. When he came over to Clifton Diocese he took up
Badminton and later squash; and later took up golf, which he still
plays today but not as well as he would like. When he was stationed at
Holy Cross, Bedminster, Bristol he became interested in and a season
ticket holder at Bristol City Football Club and still follows their
fortunes.
When he came to Chard he started making candles for Church use. He also likes repairing what is broken if he can possibly do so. He loves music and finds it very therapeutic.
If you expect to meet an old man of 85, a challenge to a game of golf will cost you a glass of milk in the 19th hole. Clifton Diocese has benefited greatly from his talents in inter-diocesan fixtures. The red hair may fade a little and the knees know aches and pains, but the eye is keen, co-ordination unimpaired and the competitive spirit undiminished. He has been fortunate to have a housekeeper, a qualified nurse who is also his secretary.
His parish is 150 square miles based round three towns — Chard, Crewkerne and Ilminster — which are each centres for Churches Together activities in Somerset.
Mass attendance continues to grow. Those disappearing from other places have retired to the West Country or come to visit it. In 1924, Bishop George Ambrose wrote to Fr McSweeney, “I am glad to learn that the attendance in Chard has so increased as to make the erection of a larger and more stable structure imperative. Such increase can only have been brought about first by God’s blessing and next by your own untiring exertions.” The congregation had increased from 20 to 60 “coming ten to twelve miles to Mass”. Now it is over 300, still coming ten to twelve miles to Mass, in St Peter’s, Crewkerne; St Joseph’s, Ilminster or the English Martyrs, Chard. Each Mass is full to capacity or beyond. Christmas Midnight is a ticket-only affair!
On 4th June, 2004, the parish (and his many friends in the three towns) celebrate with Bishop Declan, the 60th anniversary of Canon O’Brien’s priestly ordination by Bishop Staunton, Bishop of Ferns, County Wexford. They will be joined by those who remember him fondly from his days in the parishes of St Alphege, Bath, the Sacred Heart, Minehead, Holy Cross, Bedminster, Bristol, St Anthony of Padua, Melksham and St Antony, Henbury, Bristol. As the anniversary of each past priest of those parishes occurs, the Canon gives an affectionate biography — despite his claim to a poor memory.
This Diamond Jubilee will be in the Anglican Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Chard which also generously hosted his Ruby and Golden Jubilees.
The parish has voted to install a stained-glass window of his choice over the altar he has served for 36 years. He has long struggled to protect it from the rain. It also hopes to re-name the parish hall he inspired after him. 60 years’ service demands great recognition, and who would be so mean as to deny him his choice of typically selfless memorial in a building just five years his junior?
Len Bill
When he came to Chard he started making candles for Church use. He also likes repairing what is broken if he can possibly do so. He loves music and finds it very therapeutic.
If you expect to meet an old man of 85, a challenge to a game of golf will cost you a glass of milk in the 19th hole. Clifton Diocese has benefited greatly from his talents in inter-diocesan fixtures. The red hair may fade a little and the knees know aches and pains, but the eye is keen, co-ordination unimpaired and the competitive spirit undiminished. He has been fortunate to have a housekeeper, a qualified nurse who is also his secretary.
His parish is 150 square miles based round three towns — Chard, Crewkerne and Ilminster — which are each centres for Churches Together activities in Somerset.
Mass attendance continues to grow. Those disappearing from other places have retired to the West Country or come to visit it. In 1924, Bishop George Ambrose wrote to Fr McSweeney, “I am glad to learn that the attendance in Chard has so increased as to make the erection of a larger and more stable structure imperative. Such increase can only have been brought about first by God’s blessing and next by your own untiring exertions.” The congregation had increased from 20 to 60 “coming ten to twelve miles to Mass”. Now it is over 300, still coming ten to twelve miles to Mass, in St Peter’s, Crewkerne; St Joseph’s, Ilminster or the English Martyrs, Chard. Each Mass is full to capacity or beyond. Christmas Midnight is a ticket-only affair!
On 4th June, 2004, the parish (and his many friends in the three towns) celebrate with Bishop Declan, the 60th anniversary of Canon O’Brien’s priestly ordination by Bishop Staunton, Bishop of Ferns, County Wexford. They will be joined by those who remember him fondly from his days in the parishes of St Alphege, Bath, the Sacred Heart, Minehead, Holy Cross, Bedminster, Bristol, St Anthony of Padua, Melksham and St Antony, Henbury, Bristol. As the anniversary of each past priest of those parishes occurs, the Canon gives an affectionate biography — despite his claim to a poor memory.
This Diamond Jubilee will be in the Anglican Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Chard which also generously hosted his Ruby and Golden Jubilees.
The parish has voted to install a stained-glass window of his choice over the altar he has served for 36 years. He has long struggled to protect it from the rain. It also hopes to re-name the parish hall he inspired after him. 60 years’ service demands great recognition, and who would be so mean as to deny him his choice of typically selfless memorial in a building just five years his junior?
Len Bill
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