By Ana Rodriguez Soto - The Archdiocese of Miami
TAMARAC | Parishioners of St. Malachy are mourning the loss of their parochial vicar, Father Anthony O’Brien, who died unexpectedly May 13.
“It was quite unexpected for all of us as Father Tony had returned home to the parish only last week after his hospital stay and rehabilitation,” wrote Msgr. Chanel Jeanty, chancellor for canonical affairs, in an email to archdiocesan priests.
Father O’Brien would have celebrated 30 years of priesthood May 28. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Miami in Carlow, Ireland, May 28, 1988, and began his work in South Florida July 1, 1988.
“We were contemporaries in the seminary. We always kept in touch,” said Father Curtis Kiddy, former pastor of Visitation and St. Jerome parishes in South Florida. Currently a novice with the Passionists in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Father Kiddy was ordained four years after Father O’Brien.
He described his friend this way: “Gifted preacher. Brilliant mind.” Father O’Brien could recall months later a remark someone had made, and he had “one of those dry senses of humor,” Father Kiddy said.
He recalled a summer trip he made with Father O’Brien, either in 1997 or 1998. After visiting Father O’Brien’s mother and sister in England, they went to Rome and from there to Ars, France, home of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests.
“It was one of the most powerful moments in my life and I think Father Tony’s as well,” Father Kiddy said. “We were both parish priests and we were both confessors. It was very special.”
He said Father O’Brien identified strongly with his priesthood. “He always said a prayer after Communion when he was purifying his chalice. One of his prayers was that he would never cause any harm or scandal to the people of God. He saw his identity clearly in the priesthood of Jesus Christ.”
Father O’Brien served as a chaplain for the Hallandale police department. “He loved that work. There was something about police officers and him that just clicked,” Father Kiddy said.
Although he studied for the priesthood at St. Kieran’s Seminary in Ireland, Father O’Brien was born Jan. 30, 1955 in England, and grew up there. He spent time in 1976 as a volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India. He also worked as a shipping clerk in South Africa before entering the seminary in 1982.
After arriving in South Florida, he served as parochial vicar at St. Bartholomew in Miramar (1988-89); St. Timothy in Miami (1989-90); St. Kevin in Miami (1995-96); Little Flower in Coral Gables (1996-2001); St. Hugh in Coconut Grove (2001-2002); and St. Helen in Fort Lauderdale (2002-2006).
He served as chaplain for English-speaking youth ministry in the summer of 1989 and resided at Annunciation in West Hollywood while pursuing higher studies at Barry University (1990-93). He also was in residence at St. Kevin from 1993 to 1995, while working on the staff of Catholic Community Services (now Catholic Charities).
In July 2006 he was named administrator, and later pastor, of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Hallandale, where he remained until it merged with St. Matthew in Hallandale at the end of September 2009.
“It was very challenging for Father O’Brien when St. Charles was closed. He loved the opportunity of being a pastor,” Father Kiddy said.
After St. Charles, Father O’Brien served as parochial vicar at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Pembroke Pines (2009-2011). He had been at St. Malachy since January 2011.
Funeral services for Father O’Brien will take place at St. Malachy, 6200 N. University Drive, Tamarac, as follows:
- Viewing Tuesday, May 22, from 6 to 9 p.m., with prayer service at 7:30 p.m.
- Funeral Mass Wednesday, May 23, at 11 a.m., followed by burial at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery in North Lauderdale.
Father O’Brien is survived by his mother, Anne O’Brien, and his sister, Rita O’Brien, both of whom reside in England.
“He was very devoted to the Blessed Mother,” Father Kiddy said. “We ask people to kindly, gently remember him in their prayers and rosaries.”
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