Father George O'Brien -- Priest for 50 years, Professor for 30
George O'Brien as a Senior in 1949 at St. Anthony College Prep High School
"I've always liked being a priest and a teacher," says Father George O'Brien, chair of the English department and chaplain at Mount St. Mary's College. "I've always liked that you're able to teach and have that world of ideas. But then being in residence at a parish, you're dealing with people, too--real life people--and you're trying to get them interested in the liturgy and to be involved in their church."
The 75-year-old priest, who recently celebrated his golden jubilee, was ordained by Cardinal James Francis McIntyre in 1957. After five years of parish work, his full-time ministry became education. "I still love teaching because you can make a difference with the students--maybe they learned something that they didn't know before and they've delved a little bit deeper," he notes. "And as they go through college, you can see the growth, and that's really fun because maybe you've been part of the steps."
Reflecting on his own life and vocation, Father O'Brien, who is in residence at Good Shepherd Church in Beverly Hills, reports he grew up in a parish -- St. Anthony in Long Beach --that had "terrific" priests and nuns while he was going to parochial elementary and high school. It also didn't hurt that his parents attended daily Mass. "That's bound to have an effect on your value system," he declares. "Good role models never hurt anybody."
Being a priest/teacher has involved a certain amount of juggling, the academic admits. But it's worked out over the years. He has always celebrated the earliest daily Mass at his parish before heading off to his day job to teach an early class. "I don't think I ever viewed the two ministries as in opposition." For the outgoing priest with the deep yet friendly voice and quick grin, the joys have far outnumbered the challenges over three decades in higher education. When people ask how he's doing, he often quips: "Well, I still waddle up to Mount St. Mary's (Chalon campus in Brentwood) every day."
(Excerpts from article: Father George O'Brien--priest for 50 years, professor for 30, The Tidings, April 20, 2007, page 9)