The world lost a great priest today

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Here in Dubuque Msgr. Joseph O'Brien died suddenly. He had been the rector of St. Raphael's Cathedral prior to retirement. While he was in his 80s he was in fairly good health so his death was not expected. He was such a nice man, had a great sense of humor.

He was very approachable and took pains to remain so. As a matter of course Cathedral rectors are promoted to the rank of Monsignor within a couple years of be named to that office. Father O'Brien was promoted to Monsignor, but asked that the promotion not be made public because he preferred to be known as Father Joe. He didn't make it public that he had been promoted until after his retirement but asked us to just keep calling him Father.

So Christmas was a little bid sad for those of us who remembered Father O'Brien.

[Ecumenist]

1. God bless his soul and receive him with love and welcoming.