Reverend Monsignor John F. O’Brien, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Raymond of Penafort Parish, Philadelphia, died on Monday, June 13, 2022. Monsignor O’Brien was born on March 25, 1933, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late John F. O’Brien, Sr. and Anna M. Haggerty. Monsignor O’Brien attended Saint Patrick’s Parochial School, Norristown and Saint Joseph’s Prep Catholic High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Monsignor O’Brien was ordained on May 13, 1961, at The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter
and Paul, Philadelphia by Most Reverend John J. Krol. He was named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness John Paul II on March 14, 1998. Monsignor O’Brien served as Parochial Vicar, Saint Ignatius Parish, Yardley; Saint Columba Parish, Philadelphia, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Philadelphia, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Philadelphia, and Saint William Parish, Philadelphia. He served as Pastor, Our Lady of the Holy Souls Parish, Philadelphia, and in 1987, he was appointed Pastor, Saint Raymond of Penafort Parish, Philadelphia, and named Pastor Emeritus, there in 2008.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Saint Raymond of Penafort Church, Philadelphia on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 9:00 AM, followed by a viewing. Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior. will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Donald P. McNamara, Reverend Joseph A. Heim, M.M. Reverend Christopher M. Walsh, Reverend Stephen D. Thorne, Reverend Monsignor Henry J. McKee, Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Flood, and Reverend Joseph J. Meehan will be the homilist.

Monsignor O’Brien is survived by his sister, Anne, and niece and nephew. Interment will be at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Norristown.