| Patrick O'Brien
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| Title: Reverend fonds
Dates: 1859 predominant 1890 - 1940 Physical description : 2 cm of textual records Biographical History: Patrick O'Brien was
born at Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, November 24, 1859, the son of Richard
O'Brien and Agnes O'Driscoll. After completing his primary, elementary and
junior high school education in the parish school at Wittle's Bay he
entered St. Bonaventure's College, St. John's, where he did his high
school education from 1876-1880, qualifying himself for the teaching
profession. He taught school at St. Jacques, Fortune Bay, and in other
communities, during the years 1880-1886. In 1886 he returned to
St.Bonaventure's College and began a two year course of studies in
preparation for the priesthood. From there he proceeded to All Hallows
College, Dublin, Ireland to complete his theological studies. The Reverend
Mr. O'Brien was ordained to the Order of Priest in All Hallows College
Chapel, Dublin, June 24, 1890, returning to St. John's shortly afterwards.
His first short-term appointments were as a curate, first in the Cathedral
Parish of St. John the Baptist, St. John's, then in St. Michael's Parish,
Bell Island, and from there to St. Patrick's Parish, St. John's, where he
laboured from 1890-1902. His next appointments were as a curate in St.
Patrick's Parish, Whittle's Bay, with residence in Mobile, and remained
there from 1902-1908; when he moved his residence to Tors Cove, where he
carried out his priestly pastoral ministry from 1908-1914. Upon the death
of Dean Nicholas Roche, Father O'Brien was appointed as the parish priest
of St. Patrick's Parish, Whittle's Bay, where he laboured from 1914-1924.
When St. Patrick's Parish Boundaries were divided in 1924, Father O'Brien
was appointed as the first parish priest of St. Peter and St. Paul Parish,
Bay Bulls, where he laboured 1924-1940. He died at Bay Bulls February 26,
1940, and on February 29th was buried at Bay Bulls in a private plot near
the Church in Bay Bulls Father O'Brien was famous as a yacht builder which
led him to invent an improved build of a ships' hulls. He had his design
patented in Canada and America. For his work he received from Paris a
diploma for his ability in marine matters. In his obituary notice it was
said of Father O'Brien, " that he loved work. He believed in the
principle 'operare est orare' and followed it throughout his long and
useful life." ________________________ Scope/Content: Correspondence between Bishop Howley and O'Brien 1885-1913, newspaper clippings, fonds also includes printed material related to his life. Title source: Title based on content of
records. Names: O'Brien, Patrick
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