Dear St. John Vianney Parishioners

It is with humility but with great joy that I take this opportunity to introduce myself to you as your new Pastor.

My name is Fr. Michael Joseph O’Connor and I was born in 1961 in Sheffield, England. I am the eldest of three boys born to two wonderful faith-filled parents, Harry and Maureen O’Connor. My father passed away in 1981 and my Mum still lives in the same house and town where we were all born. It was my great joy to join my brothers, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces in celebrating her 85^th Birthday at the end of May. I know they are all praying for me today as I begin this new journey with you. I hope you will soon get to meet them.

I was ordained to the priesthood on July 13^th 1985 and last year was able to preside at a celebration in honor of my 25^th Anniversary. In the Diocese of Austin I served as Parochial Vicar in St. Louis Parish in Austin before becoming Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas in College Station six years ago. In this last assignment and indeed in all my assignments I have been blessed with tremendous opportunities to serve God’s people in ways that I could never have imagined.

And now my journey brings me to this wonderful parish community of St. John Vianney in Round Rock, Texas. It is with excitement and some anxiety that I present myself to you today. I know that God has even greater things in store for us all. I only ask that we open our hearts together to the Holy Spirit so that we may know His will and follow Him with generous hearts.

In the coming days and weeks I look forward to meeting you all and learning the wonders of your life and faith stories. Let us ask the prayers and intercession of our patron St. John Vianney to lead us closer to each other and to the Lord.

This weekend we celebrate the birthday of this great nation. We give thanks for the gifts of liberty and freedom. We pray for the men and women who wear the uniform of our armed services this very day, and we pray that we will always strive to be one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

Please join me for a special 4^th of July Mass in Church tomorrow at 9 am.

I wish you an enjoyable holiday weekend and a truly blest and faith-filled week.

Fr. Michael J O’Connor,

Pastor