Rev. Timothy O’Neill to celebrate retirement Mass

By linda M. LINONIS | linonis@vindy.com

HUBBARD

The Rev. Timothy O’Neill follows this mantra in his life and priesthood: “Unselfish giving equals happiness.”

The pastor of St. Patrick Church, 367 N. Main St., will officiate at his retirement Mass at 11 a.m. Sunday and then be honored at a celebration.

In the office of the church, where he has served 23 years, there are boxes packed with memorabilia, both church- and community-related. Some will be displayed at Sunday’s recognition event along with a board of newspaper clippings on the priest’s activities. By the desk in his office, there are some 25 Post-it notes with messages and reminders. His cellphone rings frequently, and he gives each caller attention sprinkled with friendly teasing.

After this weekend, the 75-year-old priest plans to “relax for a bit” at his house in Geneva-on-the-Lake. “It’s 40 feet from the golf course there,” he said, noting he’ll continue to indulge in his hobby. He also says there’s a 5:30 p.m. Sunday “Mass on the grass.”

Reflecting on his upcoming retirement, Father O’Neill simply said, “It’s time ... you just know it when it’s time.” He noted that his once-red hair has turned white, another reflection of the march of time. But, his manner and conversation demonstrate a zest for life and interest in people. “I’ve always been drawn to helping people,” he said.

When Father O’Neill graduated from Ursuline High School in 1958, classmates spent some time at Geneva-on-the-Lake. “It’s been a part of my life,” he said of the village in Ashtabula County on the shore of Lake Erie.

That summer, he caddied at Tippecanoe Country Club in Canfield and thought he would sign up for classes at then Youngstown College in August. “I’ve done everything on the fly my whole life,” he said.

He acknowledged a “calling from God” and contacted Monsignor Breen Malone, then director of vocations in the Diocese of Youngstown. Father O’Neill ended up playing a round of golf with Monsignor Don Reagan, Ursuline principal; the Rev. Glen Holbrooke, St. Columba Cathedral rector; and Monsignor Malone.

In September, he was off to St. Gregory followed by Mount St. Mary of the West seminaries, both in Cincinnati. “It took me nine years to become a priest,” he said. “I had to take a year of Latin first because I didn’t take it in high school.”

After his ordination May 27, 1967, by Bishop James W. Malone, Father O’Neill served about three years as associate pastor of St. Michael Church in Canton. Then he was assigned to teach religion at Cardinal Mooney High School in 1970.

“I taught sophomores,” he recalled of his teaching days. “I came up with my ‘just be’ idea – five minutes of just being, no activity – for the first five minutes of class.”

The priest said he thought of the time as “just being with God and yourself” because people’s lives are so tied to doing something. He said that years later, a student, now married with three children, told him that she turned a closet into her “be” room at her home, where she could retreat.

Father O’Neill earned a master’s degree in education in guidance counseling at Xavier University and a master of divinity degree at San Francisco University. “I lived in the area called the ‘tenderloin’ in San Francisco, near the slums,” he recalled of the multiple summers he spent there. “I learned a lot about people.”

He put that knowledge, understanding and empathy for people to good use as a priest and in the community. “When I saw a need, I wanted to make an effective effort to do something in response.”

In 1993, he and others founded Difference Makers Inc., a nonprofit organization that operates a food pantry in Campbell and helps underprivileged youths in many ways. He continues as chief executive officer. He recruited a diverse, multitalented and well-connected board of directors to oversee the organization, which works “behind the scenes.”

Father O’Neill doesn’t tout his accomplishments. One finds out about them through stories he tells – like being the chaplain for Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, World Boxing Association lightweight championship from 1982-84. He appeared with Mancini on the “Good Morning America” TV show in the aftermath of the death of South Korean boxer Duk Koo Kim after a fight in 1982. The subject was the morality of boxing.

In the parish, he shies away from listing what he’s done.

“I think I’m the catalyst at church. The people are the church, and the church is the people,” Father O’Neill said. His legacy is his example of caring about people and doing something to show it.

Teri Ray, a St. Patrick member and church secretary for 17 years, summed it up with: “Father O’Neill taught me unconditional love and acceptance. He’s given everything he has to the people of the parish.”