July 17, 1948

Father Thomas F. O’Brien

Father O’Brien was born in Ballykerogue, County Wexford, Ireland on January 1, 1895. He studied at Blackrock College, Dublin; Skerius College, Dublin; and St. Peter’s College, Wexford and was ordained for the Diocese of Wichita on June 2, 1917 at the age of twenty-two. His first year in the United States was spent at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. taking graduate courses in philosophy. On returning to Wichita, he was secretary to Bishop Hennessy for two years. In 1920 he was named pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in McCracken but was forced to resign in 1927 due to poor health. Following several months as chaplain of Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, he was sent to Sacred Heart Parish in Larned for ten years. His last assignments were to Sacred Heart Parish in Arkansas City, St. John’s Hospital in Iola, and St. Patrick’s Parish in Walnut. During his priesthood, Father O’Brien was a member of the Diocesan School Board and an Examiner of the Junior Clergy. He died in Los Angeles, CA on July 17, 1948 at 53 years of age. The funeral for Father O’Brien was held in the cathedral and burial was in Calvary Cemetery.