Guestbook

Father Bob, It was pleasure finally meeting you and working with you to provide a need for a couple that I was restricted from helping. Recently you help this couple get married and watching you perform and say mass was very inspiring and I was proud of you. Your homily and marriage ceremony was well said and had the attention of all in attendance. As you knew I was restricted from performing the service to the couple because of rules that I have to follow and that you don't. Truly god has inspired you with gifts and talents to provide as a priest and I will be sending you more couples if I'm restricted as I'm often. Father I hope that you understand why I could not allow my name to be seen by all...but you know who I am. I will be sending you a private email to follow this up for further contact with you. This needed to be said...unfortunate that I couldn't be more open about it...

In 1965 I was the first priest to ordained by Archbishop Walter Xavier Brown of the Old Catholic Church of America. I have been in the Eastern Orthodox Church for almost 30 years, but spent several early years as an Old Catholic priest. I am so proud of your ministry and the fact that you are maintianing and practising the O.C. faith as it was handed down. Too many groups use the name Old Catholic and are so far removed from the beliefs and practises of the faith which are shameful and contrary to what the original Old Catholic beliefs and teaching are. Keep up the good work.

Dear Father Bob, What a wonderful experience meeting you finally after what I was told that you always embraced people with the JESUS in you first before you give them that Pastoral stuff. Yes we know that is always required of you Priests when someone comes to you with their sins. But, during my confession time with you, you gave me the peace to be completely open with you on things in my life and set me straight. When we left your church my wife and l somewhat shared stories on our experience with your church. We both felt comfort and ease with going to confession and celebrating mass for the first time in a long time. We are so glad that a friend guided us to you. We didn't know that there was married priests and since you've been married for 33 years and have raised a family, you know what others go through from experience. Perhaps it was really the "Holy Spirit" that guided and not our friend, but either way we're very glad and will be attending regularly.

Reverend Father Robert O'Connell, Greetings to you and your Church of St. Padre Pio's. I recently attended a Mass and Wedding at your church in Summerville. What a pleasure it was to find a man of the cloth that looked me straight in the eyes and into my soul. You knew what I needed when it had been 20+ years since receiving the Sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist. Thank You from the now clean and reconciled soul and heart and for allowing me to see Jesus and know that he loves me even though I've been away for years. That little prayer that you told me to use by going to the "Waters-edge" and see him. I am a professor at one of the colleges and university campuses and have heard many preachers, professors and instructors talk over the years and you truly have been given the gifts of the holy spirit and know how to deliver them to whom needs them. I sure hope that your Bishop knows what he has there in Summerville. Many could learn something from you. Thanks again. I will visit your church often when in town. Only wish that I lived closer and could join.

Fr. Bob. I wanted to thank you personally for your wonderful hospitality this past weekend. I enjoyed meeting you, Tom Oliver, along with your wonderful and loving parishioners at St. Padre Pio. You are indeed blessed to serve such a warm, devout, and welcoming group of people. Their openness, acceptance, and lively interaction with me was overwhelming - I miss my adoptive Summersville family already. I ask for your prayers as His Grace, Archbishop Queen decides on my future within the Catholic Apostolic National Church, and in turn, I will remember to pray daily for your ministry at St. Padre Pio. May God continue to bless you, and each member of your family in faith. Peace be with you â?¦ Dr-J