
“A former Navy chaplain, Bishop John McNamara, recalled for me his first meeting with Cardinal O’Connor. Let me quote from his reminiscence: “Father O’Connor, the division Chaplain of the Marines, came up from Vietnam to interview the new clergy. I remember his first words to me. I'm John O'Connor, what can I do for you?' I often thought of this meeting because those words,What can I do for you?’ so characterize arid personify the John O’Connor I have known for 35 years.”
So many of us have heard him say, “What can I do for you?” There was no burden too heavy, no problem too complex for his genuine compassion and desire to help. To understand this in him is to understand that he was, to the core of his being, a priest.”




