Speakers, liturgies bring grieving LA Congress crowd to their feet
The dark clouds of a weather system of historic proportions added to the heaviness already felt by the thousands at the 2023 LA Religious Education Congress Feb. 23-26 in Anaheim, a week after the death of beloved Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell.
But as the sun came out Sunday morning, organizers had pulled together a bilingual prayer service in O’Connell’s honor, presided by Archbishop José H. Gomez. His life was celebrated in many ways with Irish prayers and music, images of O’Connell from throughout the years, and testimonies from some of those who knew him best.
Father Jarlath “Jay” Cunnane of St. Cornelius Church in Long Beach was O’Connell’s best friend, a relationship forged during their seminary days in Ireland 50 years ago.