Msgr. Patrick J. O’Connor, who announced his retirement effective Aug. 15 because of medical reasons, served as pastor, professor and administrator in his 34 years as a priest.

But the retiring pastor of St. Thomas More was best known in the Archdiocese of Atlanta for his untiring efforts in obtaining vocations to the priesthood. The monsignor will say his final Mass at St. Thomas More on Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. and will move to his cottage on Tybee Island near Savannah Beach.

“I think I am correct in saying that I was instrumental in bringing 38 priests to Georgia, 10 in Savannah and 28 here in Atlanta,” the 65-year-old priest said. He also taught about 3,000 priests.

He said his work in vocations provided his greatest satisfaction. “If one priest can get a young man to follow in his footsteps there will be enough vocations.”

Msgr. O’Connor said there is a grave crisis in vocations. Much praying must be done and I think that some of the ideas that are being battered around are dangerous for the future of the priesthood.

Many of the changes are remarkable. I love to say Mass facing the people, but exaggerations on the part of some not qualified and without authority have brought about difficulties.

“However, historians say that it takes three or four decades after every council before there is a period of quietude. We who are living now are in the midst of turmoil, but the basic truths have not changed and if we continue our devotion and loyalty to God and His mother we’ll survive.”

Msgr. O’Connor also has very close ties with the Catholic University of America and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

A 1924 graduate of Catholic U., the monsignor became a permanent member of the faculty in 1936.

During his years at the university he was a member of the School of Sacred Theology, assistant professor of homiletics, professor in the Preachers’ Institute, dean of men, director of the Alumni Association and procurator of the Catholic Sisters’ College. Last November, he received the University’s Distinguished Service Award at the annual alumni banquet.

In 1950, he was appointed by the cardinals, archbishops and members of the board of trustees as the fourth director (rector) of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. During his tenure as director, the drive for $14 million was begun and completed.

He was elevated in 1950 to the rank of right reverend monsignor by the late Pope Pius XII for his work in vocations.

When the Diocese of Atlanta was formally established in 1956, Msgr. O’Connor became pastor of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Atlanta. In 1958, he was appointed pastor of St. Thomas More.

For many years Msgr. O’Connor was the director of the Mission Apostolate for Georgia and it was in this capacity that he persuaded many young men to come to Georgia to serve as priests.

He also served as secretary for education, and is a member of the Archdiocesan Board of Education, the Board of Consultors. He is Episcopal Vicar for Vocations.

Msgr. O’Connor, the son of P. J. and Winifred Maher O’Connor, was born in Savannah. He attended Cathedral School and Benedictine Military Academy and entered Catholic U. in 1920.

After graduation from Catholic University as valedictorian of his class in 1924, he entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore in 1928 and was ordained by Bishop Michael J. Keyes May 25, 1933 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah. He then served as assistant pastor of St. Anthony’s in Atlanta and St. Mary’s on the Hill in Augusta.

Msgr. O’Connor said he met many laymen interested in vocations. “These people have contributed burses for the education of future priests and even though they may not have had a vocation in their family, they have had ‘spiritual sons.’”

He said his parishioners have been very cooperative and “very devoted to Our Lord in the Eucharist.”

Discussing his long and varied career, he said he has preached in Canada and Europe and traveled widely including many trips to Ireland in his vocations work.