Msgr. Richard O'Donnell, Oldest Priest In Archdiocese Of Chicago, Dies At 105
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The oldest priest in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has died. Monsignor Richard O'Donnell was 105, reports WBBM's Bob Roberts.
Since 1963, Msgr. O'Donnell had been assigned to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Bridgeport where he heard confessions and Mass until the end.
Father Jim Hyland of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Evergreen Park says he obsessed over the White Sox and Bears. Twice, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Sox game.
"He took that pretty seriously," Hyland said. "He was out practicing in the weeks leading up to the game. He would go out and throw the ball around a little bit in the parking lot to get his arm in shape. Despite all of his efforts to get warmed up, he made a terrible throw."
Fr. Hyland says Msgr. O'Donnell was first and foremost a Bears fan, loved Mike Ditka and was debating recently who the Bears should take in the NFL Draft.