Obituaries

Reverend Paul Vincent Kirchner, O.Carm.

The Order of Carmelites of The Most Pure Heart of Mary Province under the direction of the Very Reverend John F. Welch, O.Carm., Prior Provincial, mourns the loss of the Reverend Paul Vincent Kirchner, O.Carm., who died at the age of 90 in Lakeland Health Care Center, Haskell, New Jersey, on Wednesday, October 26, 2005, where he was living in retirement.

Visitation and an evening vigil service for Father Paul were held on October 30, 2005, with a Mass of Christian Burial the next morning, at the Church of Saint Therese in Cresskill, New Jersey. The Very Reverend John Welch, O.Carm., was both the presider and homilist. Internment is at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Tenafly, New Jersey.

Paul Vincent Kirchner who was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on February 11, 1915, was raised in Bogota, New Jersey, and attended Palisade Avenue and Florence Dewey Public Schools there. After graduation, he enrolled at Mount Carmel Preparatory Seminary in Niagara Falls, Ontario, where he began studies for the Carmelite Order.

Following his high school studies in Niagara Falls, he continued at Mount Carmel College during his novitiate year, after which he professed his simple vows there on August 15, 1933, receiving Louis as his religious name. From Mount Carmel College, he attended Catholic University of America, in Washington, DC, where he continued his studies and received a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He professed his solemn vows at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC, three years later on August 15, 1938.

He then studied theology the Collegio Internazionale di Sant’Alberto in Rome and was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1940, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. In addition to his theology studies, Father Paul received Master’s degrees in English from Niagara University, and in Religious Education from Fordham University. He also received a Master’s in Divinity degree from Darlington Seminary, New Jersey, and a Ph.D. in English from Niagara University. He also studied at the University of Notre Dame.

Father Kirchner began his career as a Carmelite priest in 1938 serving as a teacher at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago. Two years later he returned to Niagara Falls where he was the professor of Greek and English at Mount Carmel College there for the next twenty-four years. “He taught many of us English, English Literature, Theology and Greek during his tenure as professor at Mount Carmel College,” said the Reverend David Simpson, O.Carm., Midwestern Regional Superior. “We remember him fondly for his creativity, sense of humor and his dedication to scholarship.” While at Mount Carmel College, Father Kirchner became prior of the Carmelite Community, head of the English Department, and Mission Director, conducting retreats for religious and the laity throughout Canada and the United States. He was also a participant in the Conference-a-month club which sent records of spiritual conferences to over 3,000 monasteries throughout Canada, the United States and the English-speaking world.

In 1966, Father Paul returned to the United States and began an eighteen-year service in pastoral ministry. He served first as pastor at Saint Therese Parish in Cresskill, New Jersey. During his nine years there, he was responsible for the building of the present church building. In 1975 he moved to Saint Anastasia’s Parish in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he served as associate pastor. In 1984 Father Paul resumed his retreat work, serving at the Carmel Retreat Center in Mahwah, New Jersey, where he served for a time also as Vocation Director. He held that position until his retirement. In 2001, Father Paul moved to Saint Joseph’s Home in Totowa, New Jersey, but after three years health issues developed and he moved to Lakeland Health Care Center in Haskell, where he was at the time of his death.

In remembering Father Paul, the Reverend Paul Schweizer, O.Carm., of Saint Joseph’s Parish in Bogota, New Jersey, said, “He was very devoted to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. That is why he was so delighted to become pastor of Saint Therese Church in Cresskill. He erected a special statue there in her honor, which is still present today.”

May he rest in peace.

Brother William Kevin O’Brien, O.Carm.

The Order of Carmelites of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province mourns the loss of the Brother William Kevin O’Brien, O.Carm., who died at the age of 74 on Wednesday, October 12, 2005, in Syracuse, New York, where he was living in retirement.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held October 15, at Saint Mary’s Church, in Baldwinsville, New York. Reverend Charles Countie, O.Carm., presided at Mass and served as homilist; the Very Reverend John F. Welch, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Province concelebrated. Interment immediately followed at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Baldwinsville.

William Kevin O’Brien was born in Baldwinsville, New York, on June 1, 1931. Growing up in Baldwinsville, he attended and graduated from both grade and high schools there. He attended the New York State University of Fredonia where he majored in Music; he also studied at Syracuse University and Saint Joseph’s College.

Following his studies he joined the Carmelites and professed his simple vows on Sept. 15, 1955 and his solemn vows, September 22, 1958, both in Akron, Ohio.

During his lifetime, Brother O’Brien served his community faithfully through many ministries, but it was his love for music and his talented voice that really became his main focus throughout his life. “Besides a lively personality, Brother Bill had wonderful musical talent, both as a singer and a keyboard player,” said the Very Reverend John F. Welch, O.Carm., Prior Provincial. ”He shared these gifts in our Carmelite novitiate, and in parishes where he served.” Sister Michael Marie O’Brien, SSF, Brother Bill’s sister, remembers him fondly. “Bill would play organ and use his superb tenor voice at many occasions. At funerals, his rendition of Ave Maria, the Lord’s Prayer, and On Eagles’ Wings, would touch your heart,” Sr. Michael said. “He sang with his whole heart and he loved his God.”

From Chauffeur in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania, in 1956, to Music Director in Niagara Falls, Ontario in 1969, whatever ministry Brother William was asked to take on, he did so with enthusiasm and honor. Brother O’Brien held ten assignments in the thirty years that he served in ministry. His service stretched from the United States to Canada but he was mainly stationed within the state of Pennsylvania. In 1960, he returned to Pennsylvania and except for a short period at Mount Carmel in Niagara, served in that state for the rest of his ministry career.

In Pittsburgh he served as Secretary for the Little Flower Society for seven years starting in 1969. His longest service was in parish ministry, where Brother O’Brien used the talents of his operatic tenor voice. He served at Saint John the Baptist Parish in New Baltimore for ten years assisting with the music of the parish, before being called to serve at Covenant House in Pittsburgh. Brother William often sang for Carmelite brothers at their Profession of solemn vows or other Carmelite events. In 1995, Brother O’Brien was in residence in Homestead and later Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2000, he retired to Darien, Illinois, but after two years moved to Syracuse, New York, and lived in the Rosewood Heights Health Care Center until his death.

May he rest in peace.