OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Ocala’s Catholic community is mourning the loss of a beloved spiritual leader.
Father Michael O’Keeffe, a longtime priest at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala, died Tuesday, Jan. 23. He was 92.
“Over the last week or two, when he was unable to come to his earthly home, he has been praying for God to take him to his home in heaven,” said Father Pat Sheedy in an email to the congregation. “God has answered his prayers.”
O’Keeffe spent 55 years as a priest, the last 22 and 1/2 years at Blessed Trinity where according to his obituary he remained active as a retired priest with the parish and school, and celebrated Mass at 16 nearby assisted living facilities until he was no longer able. Prior to moving to Ocala, O’Keeffe served at six parishes in the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia.
“He loved the priesthood. He loved dispensing God’s mercy,” said Sheedy. “He had thousands of friends who looked up to him as their spiritual Father.”
According to his obituary, upon his 50th anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood, he advised young men considering the priesthood to not be afraid. He said, “Just go for it. Pray. Pray with people. Visit the sick. When the phone rings in the rectory at 4 o’clock in the morning, go to the nursing home or accident or wherever you’re called. It’s a wonderful life.”
Father O’Keeffe’s obituary says he was the oldest of 11 children born to a farming family in Clare County, Ireland. Father Sheedy says O’Keeffe made plans to have his body transported to Ireland where he will be buried in a graveyard beside the village church where he grew up.
The congregation of Blessed Trinity is invited to pray over Father Mike’s body on Monday, Jan. 29, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The church says the Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Trinity at 44 SW 15th Place. You’re encouraged to arrive as a large turnout is expected.