Msgr Patrick O'Neill celebrated his 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on May 1, 2010.  Msgr Pat was born in Scotland, raised in Northern Ireland, came to the United States during World War II and was ordained for the Diocese of Bismark, North Dakota on May 1, 1945.  After serving there for several years he underwent surgery to remove a diseased kidney and part of his stomach.  Doctors told him that if he took good care of himself he could possibly live another 25 years - his time was 'up' in the early 1970s.  God had other plans, however.  He moved to the Diocese of San Diego, was named founding pastor of Saint Columba's Parish in Kearny Mesa, built the church, a school, a convent and a rectory.  He retired from there a quarter century ago after serving more than 30 years as pastor.  Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Father Sproul he came to live at Saint Martin of Tours nineteen years ago and has become on endearing part of our parish community.  

The parish office now has a patio, and in honor of Msgr Pat we are naming it "The Patio'Neill."  (Msgr will no longer have to sit in his car at lake Murray to get fresh air when we clean his room.)