Bishop O’Connell connected with youth
From beaches to streets, Bishop O’Connell found ways to connect with youth
This story is part of a series featured in a commemorative issue honoring Bishop David O’Connell. Read more stories at the Bishop Dave Commemorative Issue web page.
“Jesus is calling you…”
Those words from the late Bishop David O’Connell at a prayer event compelled Amy Rodriguez to take a step forward that forever changed her faith.
“When I heard that, I immediately felt that Jesus was speaking through the bishop,” recalled Rodriguez, from St. Philip the Apostle Church in Pasadena. “While adoring the Blessed Sacrament, I was suddenly overcome with tears. They were the result of my soul recognizing that God was truly present in the host before me … there was profound peace.”
During his nearly 45 years as a priest in Los Angeles, reaching young people like Rodriguez was a top priority of O’Connell’s. From street evangelization to prayer on the beach, he was known for finding fresh ways to bring them closer to Christ.