Société des Missions Africaines –Province d'Irlande

né le 8 août 1929 à Dublin dans le diocèse de Dublin, Irlande membre de la SMA le 23 juin 1951 prêtre le 5 février 1955 décédé le 3 juin 1990

1955-1959 missionnaire au Liberia, Cape Palmas 1960-1962 Atlanta, Géorgie, paroisse ND de Lourdes 1962-1972 Georgetown, paroisse Saint-Cyprien 1969-1979 directeur fondateur de Tara Hall 1979-1984 Dedham 1980-1984 directeur du "Partnership program" 1984-1989 Chicago 1989-1990 Dorchester, Irish, Immigration Pastoral Center décédé à Deedham, USA, le 3 juin 1990, à l'âge de 60 ans

Owen O’Sullivan was born at 34 Fairfield Avenue, East Wall, Dublin, Ireland, in the parish of St. Lawrence O’Toole, on August 8, 1929.
He died in Glover Memorial Hospital, Needham, MA, USA, on June 3, Pentecost Sunday, 1990.

Owen O’Sullivan was one of fourteen children born to Eugene and Josephine (Bannon) O’Sullivan. He received his Grade School education in Dublin, at the East Wall convent school and St. Mary’s national school, East Wall. A year after commencing his High School education with the Christian Brothers at St. Canices, North Strand, Owen began to contemplate a priestly vocation. In 1943 he entered the Salesian Secondary College in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, completing his High School education in 1947 at another Salesian College, located at Ballinakill, Co Laois. Deciding that he was called to a missionary vocation Owen applied to join the Society of African Missions. Owen commenced his novitiate with the Society and also studied philosophy, at Queen of Apostles seminary, Dedham (1949-1951). He received his theological formation at the Catholic University, Washington DC, graduating in 1955. Owen became a member of the Society on June 23, 1951 and was ordained to priesthood at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington DC, by Bishop John M. McNamara on February 5, 1955. Ordained with him on that day were Kevin Scanlan, Philip Bagnasco, Philip Carrigan, James V. Hayes and Albert Cooney. He celebrated his first Low Mass at St. Mary’s, Woodside, New York, and his first Solemn High Mass at St. Columbkill’s church, Brighton, MA. on 13 February.

After ordination Owen was posted to the American Province’s mission in Liberia, West Africa, serving as one of the foundation staff of the new diocese of Cape Palmas. He spent most of this four-year tour ministering in the town of Sinoe, on the Kru Coast. Sinoe was a relatively new mission having been established as a residential station in 1952. On his return from Africa Owen was assigned as assistant pastor in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Atlanta, Georgia, one of the African-American parishes run by the Society in the South. Two years later, in September, 1962, Owen was appointed pastor and superior of another Society parish, in Georgetown, South Carolina, named after St. Cyprian. It was from here that a new and defining chapter in Owen’s life commenced. Struck by the plight of homeless and neglected children in his parish, witnessed over a period of seven years, Owen decided to take his courage in his hands. By September 1970 he had already taken in three boys, had rented a house on South Island Road and was then renting a site on Black Mingo River. More boys came. The following April his superiors gave him permission to devote himself full-time to Tara Hall. Five months later Tara Hall was about to close, out of funds and Owen began his great search for help. People gave, but one couple in particular, the Thomas Yawkeys, gave Tara Hall a gift that insured its future. Mr. Yawkey, millionaire and former owner of the Boston Red Sox and his wife Jean, gave Owen 11.5 acres on the Black River, which included two buildings. Following months of land clearing, a third building which would be used for classrooms and sleeping quarters for the boys, was completed. Less than 10 years after it was founded, Tara Hall had a paid staff of counselors and teachers. It was a home for 35 boys, black and white, aged from 8 to 17, and was embarking on a $350,000 building program.

On April 30, 1979 Owen resigned his Directorship of Tara Hall on grounds of health, leaving the institution forever. From 1974 he had been plagued with ill-health, frequently hospitalized. Tara Hall continued to thrive as a home for homeless, neglected or abandoned boys. Details of its progress can be seen on its website. Owen spent the next five years in Dedham (1979-1984), directing the Partnership Program - an important promotion and funding program - and serving as Superior of Queen of Apostles seminary which from 1981 was the residence for students in the Spiritual Year Program. He also served as part-time chaplain to the Norfolk County Prison assisting John Feeley. Between 1984-1989 he worked in Chicago, Illinois, residing in the SMA house at 6256 North Newcastle Avenue. This house had been opened in the Archdiocese of Chicago to promote the Society and its missions and to foster recruitment. Here, in March 1987, Owen suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized. Owen was to suffer much ill-health throughout his life, fighting cancer as well as heart disease. In a letter to friends written in 1985 when he was diagnosed with cancer, he wrote: ‘I know that God sometimes punishes those He loves and after 30 years of one health problem or another and different artificial parts, I know He is crazy about me’. During his final year (1989-1990) he assisted at the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center, Dorchester, MA, while residing at Nickerson House, Dedham.

Although he died in American, at his own wish his remains were laid to rest in Ireland.

He is buried in Greenoge Cemetery, Ashbourne, Co Meath, Ireland.