“Eighteen months of administrative service to our educational program has insured Monsignor Patrick J. O’Connor’s place in the archdiocesan school system,” it was stated by Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan this week. The comment was made on the occasion of Monsignor O’Connor’s resignation as Secretary for Education, a post he has held since December 1963.

Father Daniel O’Connor has been named Acting Secretary of Education and will continue as principal of Saint Joseph’s High School. Monsignor O’Connor, pastor of Saint Thomas More parish, will retain his position as Archdiocesan Consultor and chairman of the Commission for Vocations.

The change is effective immediately, it was announced by the Chancery. During Monsignor O’Connor’s term as education secretary, a Lay Advisory Board was established, the Latin school and summer school programs were launched, and Our Lady’s Day School was enlarged and relocated. The accreditation program of the high schools has moved steadily ahead. Salaries of high school teachers, both lay and religious, were increased.

“The archdiocese has directly gained from Monsignor O’Connor’s long academic service at the Catholic University of America, in the department of Homiletics, and from his pastoral work in our city,” the archbishop said.

Father O’Connor this September has completed his fourth year in the school system, rising from teacher to principal to Acting Secretary of Education. He holds a master’s degree in education from the Catholic University of America.