Ministry Information Page

Fr. Jim O'Connor

Madison, WV 25130

fax (304) 369-6268

email: fatherjimo@aol.com

FATHER JIM O'CONNOR

"A Ministry of Word and Song"

"A Ministry of Word and Song" is what Father Jim has named his evangelistic "music" ministry which he has been sharing for over seven years.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Father Jim, born in 1950, a USAF Vietnam veteran and ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood as a Franciscan T.O.R. in 1982, is incardinated in and presently the pastor of two rural parishes as a priest of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese of West Virginia. Having played the piano for forty-six years and a little bit of guitar, Father Jim has written over fifty spiritual songs many of which he sings on his six recordings.

CONCERTS, MISSIONS and OTHER PROGRAMS:

CONCERTS: Father Jim's "concerts" are a mixture of stories, scripture, song (with some audience participation), posters and prayer. Depending on the need and desire of the parish or group, these concerts can be tailored to a specific theme and length of time, though Father Jim does have thematic presentations already prepared. The concerts are usually advertised as "free" with either the parish paying a set amount and/or a "free-will" offering being taken up during the concert (sometimes a basket is placed in the entrance of the church and someone mentions that it is there for any offerings).

MISSIONS: Father Jim's "missions" are similar to his "concerts" in that they are also a mixture of stories, scripture, song, posters and prayer. Again, depending on the need and desire of the parish or group, the mission is tailored to a specific theme, number of days and length of time each day agreed upon by the parish/group leader and Father Jim. With regard to missions, Father Jim has one particular theme well thought out which he has used several times, viz., "Grace: An Amazing Experience"

*All concerts and missions would be preceded by Father Jim preaching the weekend Masses (he includes a song as part of his homily) so that the people will be encouraged to "check out" the concert or mission.

*In special cases weekend Masses participation could be waived.

CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

Also Father Jim has a "Children's" program that he has done in several

schools and churches for groups as large as 460 to as small as 60. The basic

message of Father Jim's children's program is; appreciation of God's creation;

celebrating the gift of each person; and finally, an emphasis on "vocation" as a call to

use one's own individual gifts in service to God and others.

His children's program is especially good for children K-6. He primarily uses

participation songs involving the whole group. He can usually keep even the most

restless kids attentive and involved for at least an hour and sometimes longer. Again,

the day, time and length of program could be worked out to meet the local needs.

The following are suggested mission itineraries:

THREE-DAY MISSION:

A three-day mission would simply be three evening presentations:

SUNDAY: "What's this thing called 'Grace'?"

MONDAY: "Grace and the Sacramental Life"

TUESDAY: "Mary, our 'gracious' Blessed Mother" or "Grace and the Paschal Mystery"

FOUR-DAY MISSION:

A four-day mission would be four presentations one of which would include either Communal Anointing of the Sick or Communal Celebration of Reconciliation

SUNDAY: "What's this thing called 'Grace'?"

MONDAY: "Grace and the Sacramental Life"

TUESDAY: "The Power of God's Healing Grace" (communal anointing)

or "Grace and the gift of Reconciliation" (communal penance)

WEDNESDAY: "Mary, our 'gracious' Blessed Mother" or "Grace and the Paschal Mystery"

FIVE-DAY MISSION:

A five-day mission would be five presentations, three of which would be selected from the following four: Communal Anointing of the Sick, Communal Celebration of Reconciliation, "Mary, our 'gracious' Blessed Mother" and "Grace and the Paschal Mystery."

SUNDAY: "What's this thing called 'Grace'?"

MONDAY: "Grace and the Sacramental Life"

TUESDAY: Either "The Power of God's Healing Grace" (communal anointing), "Grace and the gift of Reconciliation" (communal penance), "Mary, our 'gracious' Blessed Mother" or "Grace and the Paschal Mystery"

WEDNESDAY: same choices as Tuesday

THURSDAY: Either "Mary, our 'gracious' Blessed Mother" or

"Grace and the Paschal Mystery"

(I recommend that the mission not end with "Communal Anointing" or "Penance")

ADDITIONAL THEMES AND TALKS:

"The Eucharistic Call", "Foundations of the Eucharist," "Do This In Memory of Me," "For The Forgiveness of Sins," "Living & Dying & Rising In Him: reflections on the Paschal Mystery," "In Weakness You Will Know Strength: recovering in God's Strength."

Where a parish has a Sunday evening Mass, the mission would start on Monday evening. Included in all the missions would be the chance of offering a brief version of each presentation during a daily Mass for those who couldn't make it out in the evening.

Father Jim brings his own complete sound system which is very adaptable to any church setting. Because he transports his own sound equipment he travels by van. The cost of travel is negotiable depending on mileage, meals and overnight lodging.

STIPENDS and WEEKEND COVERAGE:

Because Father Jim is a pastor of two parishes he must secure the services of a priest to cover his weekend Masses. The cost is $275.00 and is separate from other fees.

CONCERT and MISSION FEES:

The cost of a concert is negotiable.

*The cost of a mission is $100.00 a day which includes a daily Mass if desired.

The cost of a Children's Program is $150.00

*as a substitute, a parish may opt to pay by collections taken up each night of the mission.

Father Jim would like to have his tapes and CD's on display for sale during all the weekend Masses, concert and mission. He supplies his own display and table which he does on the "honor" system. However, he is willing to pay someone $15 per Mass and daily event to be available to make change at the display table.

Thank you for your ministry and work for God's people in your area.

Sincerely In Christ,