St. Patrick Church pastor to receive Ellis Island Medal

HUBBARD — The Rev. Timothy H. O’Neill, pastor of St. Patrick Church, 367 N. Main St., lives by this mantra: “Unselfish giving equals happiness.”

A priest for 42 years and at St. Patrick’s for 17 years, he said he believed his job — his calling — is exactly what he is doing. “It comes naturally to me,” he said.

Father O’Neill said he is drawn to helping “people on the fringe of society.” He’s well-known in the community for his humanitarian work.

This weekend, he will receive the 2009 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The 23rd annual ceremony will take place Saturday at the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is given to individuals who nurture ethnic heritage in America and who build bridges between people of different ethnic, racial and religious groups. It is the highest non-military award granted to American citizens. Each year, 100 people are selected to receive the medal and are chosen from more than 10,000 nominations.

“This is a good thing for Youngstown,” he said of getting the award.

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com