July 17, 2019

Diocese’s oldest priest has some words of advice for newly ordained

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Sharon Roulier

Father Vincent O’Connor, seated at center, poses with newly ordained diocesan priests (left to right) Fathers Dennis Skowera, John Duy Le and Paul Norman.

WEST SPRINGFIELD – At nearly 97 years old, retired diocesan priest Father Vincent O’Connor certainly has experienced much in his years of priestly ministry.

And he had a few words of wisdom to impart to the newest priests ordained last month for the Diocese of Springfield.

Fathers Paul Norman, Dennis Skowera and John Duy Le paid a visit to Father O’Connor at his Monastery Heights residence July 16. During the afternoon meeting, the three new priests, who were ordained June 1 by Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, heard stories of what it was like to be a young priest in 1948.

“I’m approaching 97,” said Father O’Connor, when asked by the priests how old he was. Father O’Connor will celebrate his birthday on July 19.

“So you lived through a huge change in the church,” Father Norman said to Father O’Connor. “You lived through that whole process from Vatican I to Vatican II. That’s amazing.”

“Yes, and a few bishops,” quipped Father O’Connor.

“And a few wars,” added Father Le.

Father O’Connor told the priests there were 14 ordained to the priesthood with him and 16 more a few months later.

His first assignment was at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Northampton. He would later spend much of his ministry in social work, establishing the Catholic Charities social service agency and the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Department of Social Work at Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee.

“Work with the poor. We must never forget them,” said Father O’Connor.

He told the priests that one of the difficult things that he experienced was getting used to a new assignment.

“I can relate, it’s my second week at my first assignment,” said Father Norman. “And, I don’t have my bags unpacked yet. You go from zero to 60 and you immerse yourself in ministry.”

Father O’Connor also said that priests today should not be “put on a pedestal” as they were when he was a young priest.

“In a Christ-like way, let the people feel that they can come to you,” he advised.

“I agree with him,” said Father Le. “If a person is afraid of the priest in the confessional, then the priest is doing it wrong.”

Father O’Connor’s last assignment was his longest, he said, and brought him much joy. He served as pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in the Leeds section of Northampton.

“Bishop Weldon said, “You’re only going to be there for six months,” he recalled. “I wound up being there for 40 years.”