1939-2015

Msgr. Bartholomew J. O’Brien, 76, pastor emeritus of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Philadelphia, died September  14, 2015.

Monsignor O’Brien was born in Norristown.  He was the son of the late James and Helen (Kauflie) O’Brien. He attended St. Stanislaus School in Lansdale and Lansdale Catholic High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

He was ordained May 22, 1965 by Archbishop John J. Krol at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.  He served as parochial vicar at St. Andrew Parish, Newtown; St. Agnes Parish, West Chester; St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Fairless Hills; St. Matthew Parish, Philadelphia and St. Philomena Parish, Lansdowne. He also served as chaplain of Cardinal Dougherty High School and Regional Vicar for Philadelphia-South.

A former pastor of St. Columba Parish in Philadelphia and Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Plymouth Meeting, he was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in 1995 and was named pastor emeritus in 2006.

Msgr. O’Brien’s funeral Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput at St. Stanislaus Church, Lansdale, on Sept. 19. Concelebrants included Msgr. Joseph Gentili, Father Anthony Cossavella, Father David Fernandes, Father Hutter and Father Giuffre, who was the homilist.

Msgr. O’Brien is survived by his brothers, Jack and Gerard (Eileen), and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Father James O’Brien and Robert O’Brien and his sisters, Joan Meyer and Sister James Ellen, O.S.F.

Interment was at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Lansdale.