Reverend Monsignor Bartholomew J. O’Brien—9/14/2015

Reverend Monsignor Bartholomew J. O’Brien, age 76, Pastor Emeritus of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Andorra, Philadelphia died on Monday, September 14, 2015 in the emergency room at Abington Health Lansdale Hospital in Lansdale.

Monsignor O’Brien was born on September 7, 1939 in Norristown, the son of the late James and Helen Kauflie O’Brien. Monsignor O’Brien attended Saint Stanislaus Parish School in Lansdale and Lansdale Catholic High School also in Lansdale, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Monsignor O’Brien was ordained on May 22, 1965 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia by the Most Reverend John J. Krol.

Monsignor O’Brien served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Andrew Parish in Newtown; Saint Agnes Parish in West Chester; Saint Frances Cabrini Parish in Fairless Hills; Saint Matthew Parish in Philadelphia; and Saint Philomena Parish in Lansdowne.

Monsignor O’Brien served as Pastor at St. Columbus Parish in Philadelphia; Pastor at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Norristown and was appointed Pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Andorra, Philadelphia in 1996 and named Pastor Emeritus in 2006. He also served as Chaplain at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia and as Regional Vicar in Philadelphia South.

Monsignor O’Brien is survived by his brothers John J. O’Brien of Lansdale and Gerard J. O’Brien and his wife Eileen of Hatfield and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brothers Reverend James O’Brien in 1976 and Robert O’Brien in 1945 and sisters Joan Meyer in 2008 and Sister James Ellen, OSF in 2004.

The Reception of the Body will be held at St. Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, PA 19446 on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 9:00AM followed by a viewing until 10:15AM.

Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Monsignor O’Brien at 10:30AM.
Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Anthony J. Cossavella, Reverend David A. Fernandes, Reverend Monsignor Joseph P. Gentili, Reverend Frank A. Giuffre and Reverend John P. Hutter. Father Giuffre will be the homilist.

Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

2 thoughts on “Reverend Monsignor Bartholomew J. O’Brien—9/14/2015

  1. Monsignor married my husband and me over 10 years ago..and he never missed sending us a Christmas card complete with continued prayers and blessings. My grandparents, who were long-time parishioners at IHM, spoke so fondly of him.

    I will miss receiving his Christmas card this year. Even in his poor health, he continued to send them.

    I wish your family much peace.

    Mary Catherine

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