Continuing its 100th anniversary, Our Lady of Grace School in Penndel, Pa., conducted a ceremony of induction into its newly established Hall of Fame at the school the evening of May 12.
Eleven prominent alumni/ae were honored including Bishop David O’Connell, C.M., and his brother, Daniel O’Connell, who serves as associate director of curriculum and instruction in the Diocese’s Department of Catholic Schools.The O’Connell brothers were recognized for their lifelong work in Catholic Education.
After an opening prayer led by Msgr. Joseph Prior, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish and former rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., the honorees were introduced by family members with the Bishop and Daniel offering remarks about one another.
It was a sentimental occasion for all the inductees and their invited guests and other members of the parish. Dan O’Connell was celebrating his 50th anniversary of graduation from the school as noted by the Bishop.
Both brothers gratefully acknowledged the love and support of their parents who made their Catholic schooling possible throughout their lives as well as the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) who were present at OLG since the school’s establishment in 1923. The pair also shared some humorous stories about the parish’s former pastor, Msgr. (Then Father) Thomas J. Corrigan, well known to everyone present.
It was an enjoyable and memorable evening for the Bishop and Dan who both noted that they had not been back to the school for many years.