Father Joseph O’Connor starts new role in Maryland, effective Aug. 1
By Tami S. Scott
Editor
Wearing black clerical attire, a white collar, and an orange backpack slung over both shoulders, Father Joseph O’Connor, during a recent meeting with The Catholic Sun, could easily have been mistaken for a later-stage seminary student. His energy remained high, even at the end of a typical 9-to-5 workday, when most are winding down. But the work of a priest isn’t confined to morning, afternoon, or night shifts — it includes all of the above.
Seminarians, too, have rigorous schedules. Their formation involves theological and biblical studies, training in pastoral care, preaching, and counseling, as well as Human, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Pastoral Formation — and that list is not exhaustive. Crucial to seminarians are their leaders, who offer personalized guidance and support, serve as their points of contact, and act as mentors throughout their entire formation journey.
Effective August 1, Fr. O’Connor will join Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, as Vice Rector. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia announced the five-year appointment on July 10. The news came as a shock and saddened many in the Diocese, but as was stated in the announcement, the matter was carefully considered and “despite the privation his absence will be to the Diocese of Syracuse, his service to the Church in the United States, especially in the human formation of future parish priests with a shepherd’s heart, is most crucial at this time.”
Father O’Connor currently serves as pastor of three Baldwinsville parishes: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Augustine, and St. Mary of the Assumption. He is also the diocesan director of seminarian formation and vicar forane of Vicariate 1, which includes Oswego County and Northwest Onondaga County. As vicar forane, he acts as the bishop’s representative in that region, coordinating pastoral activities and supporting the clergy.
Why the transition?
At the start of this summer, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, appointed a new rector: Father Michael Romano, from the Diocese of Camden in New Jersey. Soon after he began, the Vice Rector at the time was called back to his Diocese, leaving Father Romano in a pinch. Consequently, several bishops associated with the diocesan seminary approached Bishop Lucia, asking him to consider Father O’Connor for the position.
“The day I was informed that Mount St. Mary’s Seminary would need a new Vice Rector, Father O’Connor’s name came to mind,” said Father Romano. “Having respected him from a distance for many years, I believed that his priestly example could serve as a tremendous witness to the seminarians being formed here. I also felt that his experiences and perspective would aid me as I begin my ministry as the new Rector.”
Bishop Lucia contacted Father O’Connor about the collaborative request just before Father was to leave for a scheduled retreat. Father told The Sun: “I made a mistake of saying [to myself], ‘usually my retreats have a big drama, something I’m working through … like, I got nothing going this summer!’”
BOOM. Suddenly, his time on those days away became full of profound discernment. He said he tried to reflect on just two questions before deciding: “Lord, can I do this work?” and “Should I do this work?”
Ultimately, the answer to both was yes. His years spent shepherding the faithful as pastor, chairing IGNITE conferences, and serving as director of Vocation Promotion and later director of Seminarian Formation have given him deep experience in ministry and leadership. Additionally, he has spent over a decade teaching a program on spiritual direction to fellow priests through the Institute of Priestly Formation, further preparing him for this calling.
“Father O’Connor has managed, for a long time, to handle numerous responsibilities in his diocese, all the while maintaining a well-balanced life,” said Father Romano. “ Consequently, he is a healthy, joyful, prayerful, and zealous priest — the type of priest seminaries need if they are going to form men well.”
Though Father said the idea of leaving the Diocese after so many years will be an adjustment, he is looking forward to this new chapter. “While I enjoyed what I did in vocation promotion, just casting this wide net, visiting all the schools and parishes in the Diocese — [and] I enjoyed the movement into seminary formation … I can now really try to work with [the students], pay attention to what they’re going through,” he said.
Reflecting on his time with Father Joe Ryan (currently parochial vicar at Spirit of Hope) and Father Brendan Foley (currently pastor of Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter, St. John the Baptist/Holy Trinity in Syracuse and the Spanish Apostolate at St. Anthony of Padua in Syracuse) during their pastoral year as seminarians, he said he got a taste of what his new role at the seminary will be like: he’ll have the opportunity to get to know the seminarians better, build a better trust, and witness their growth along the way. “I think that’s probably what stirs my heart the most,” he said. “I think the wide net was great while I was doing it. The smaller net was good. But now to really be right in the boat with the guys for this time — I’m pretty excited.”
Father Romano is, too, and he appreciates the sacrifice our diocese has made for the good of the wider Church.
“I am extremely grateful to Bishop Lucia for his generosity in releasing Father O’Connor for this ministry,” he said. “I recognize that his absence from the Diocese will be felt acutely. At the same time, Father O’Connor will have an impact on the Mount seminarians — both from Syracuse as well as from around the country — that will bless the Church in the United States for years to come.”
