Father Michael O'Connor
Ordained as a Dominican priest on May 25, 2012, Father Michael (Kevin) O’Connor, OP, is one of the few Peterstown TECites to vow to dedicate his life to Christ through Holy Orders this spring.
Father Michael, the oldest of three sons and raised by Dan and Verene O’Connor, attended St. Joseph Parish in Peru and is a graduate of St. Bede Academy. During high school I was on TEC #111 and #113.
“I was raised Catholic and started thinking about being a priest when I was a young boy,” Father Michael wrote for his Dominican Community’s website in 2006.
“I grew up in a Benedictine parish and attended the high school that the order ran, after which I decided to enter a college seminary, studying for the Benedictines.”
Earning a degree in Music Performance and Philosophy, Father Michael completed his undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN, while living at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary.
Soon after, he entered the monastery, only to discern that God was not calling him to be Benedictine.
He then worked as an organist, music director, and music teacher, while still seeking out the will of God in his life.
“During this time, I began to learn about the Dominican Way of Life and was very attracted to the combination of their contemplative and active lives, as well as to the charism of preaching and teaching Veritas,” Father Michael wrote.
“As I learned more about the order, I was very drawn to the lives of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena and Bl. Fra Angelico. I found in their lives a compelling model of holiness that I felt called to imitate and follow after.”
In 2006, Father Michael entered the Dominican Order at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, OH, taking the religious name Michael Dominic.
Over the next few years, Father Michael lived at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, where he was assigned to various ministries including giving tours at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, working at the Northwest Pregnancy Center, and assisting at the American University Catholic Chaplaincy. He also earned his Master of Divinity and his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees.
On November 13, 2010, Father Michael professed his solemn vows and served at St. John the Beloved Parish in McLean, VA, as a deacon.
He writes, “The greatest single inspiration for my life is the Servant of God: Pope John Paul II.
“It has been the example of his life and the spiritual fatherhood that he offered to the youth of the world that has captured my heart and has continually inspired me to ‘be not afraid’ and to ‘put out into the deep.’”
Following his ordination, Father Michael will continue to pursue his License in Sacred Theology at the Dominican House of Studies.
Congratulations Father Michael and may God continue to bless you!
Father Michael, the oldest of three sons and raised by Dan and Verene O’Connor, attended St. Joseph Parish in Peru and is a graduate of St. Bede Academy. During high school I was on TEC #111 and #113.
“I was raised Catholic and started thinking about being a priest when I was a young boy,” Father Michael wrote for his Dominican Community’s website in 2006.
“I grew up in a Benedictine parish and attended the high school that the order ran, after which I decided to enter a college seminary, studying for the Benedictines.”
Earning a degree in Music Performance and Philosophy, Father Michael completed his undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN, while living at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary.
Soon after, he entered the monastery, only to discern that God was not calling him to be Benedictine.
He then worked as an organist, music director, and music teacher, while still seeking out the will of God in his life.
“During this time, I began to learn about the Dominican Way of Life and was very attracted to the combination of their contemplative and active lives, as well as to the charism of preaching and teaching Veritas,” Father Michael wrote.
“As I learned more about the order, I was very drawn to the lives of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena and Bl. Fra Angelico. I found in their lives a compelling model of holiness that I felt called to imitate and follow after.”
In 2006, Father Michael entered the Dominican Order at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, OH, taking the religious name Michael Dominic.
Over the next few years, Father Michael lived at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, where he was assigned to various ministries including giving tours at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, working at the Northwest Pregnancy Center, and assisting at the American University Catholic Chaplaincy. He also earned his Master of Divinity and his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees.
On November 13, 2010, Father Michael professed his solemn vows and served at St. John the Beloved Parish in McLean, VA, as a deacon.
He writes, “The greatest single inspiration for my life is the Servant of God: Pope John Paul II.
“It has been the example of his life and the spiritual fatherhood that he offered to the youth of the world that has captured my heart and has continually inspired me to ‘be not afraid’ and to ‘put out into the deep.’”
Following his ordination, Father Michael will continue to pursue his License in Sacred Theology at the Dominican House of Studies.
Congratulations Father Michael and may God continue to bless you!
