Welcome to the Father Daniel O'Sullivan Memorial Page

This page is still a work in progress and we are happy to continue posting any good photos, memories, stories or anything else you'd like to share.
Please contact Tom or the rectory for more information.

Special thanks to Father Dan's niece, Eileen Koch, Faye Predny, and John and Therese Goodrich for providing the photos below.

A Tribute to the Memory of Fr. Daniel O'Sullivan On January 8, 2009, Fr. Daniel O'Sullivan would have been pastor of St. Irenaeus Church in Park Forest for 20 years. However, he was not able to celebrate this milestone with us, as the Lord called him home on December 15, 2008 As I still grieve his loss, I wanted to pay tribute to this man of great faith as he touched my life and that of my family I have been a member of St. Irenaeus church for almost 49 years, and there were pastors here before Fr. Dan; however, he was the one that left the biggest impact on my life. Not only was he my pastor, he was a personal friend - presiding over our 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries - celebrating and attending birthday parties, etc. He was well thought of in our community and respected by other faiths as well. He was active in the Park Forest Clergy Assn. and was honored as Pastor of the Year at Freedom Hall a few years ago. He presided over our Kiwanis World Day of Prayer, Hands Across America, ran in the Scenic P.F. 5K Run, and attended many of our traditional Kiwanis Pancake Days under the big tent where he was able to share in a meal with his neighbors and friends. He loved to tell stories - many about his family, relating to the scripture readings of that day. He was a warm, kind, loving, compassionate, and understanding person. He loved children and was very fond of his nieces and nephews and had a wonderful relationship with his two brothers, Neil and Jerry and their wives. He loved to see family life thrive and be celebrated! George and I had the pleasure of being inducted with him in the Park Forest Hall of Fame in April - 2007. He was a humble person and would never want to call attention to himself. I am glad he is free of his pain. He gave it the good fight and is now enjoying eternal life. He left a "void" and will be missed. He can't ever be replaced - there will never be another Daniel O'Sullivan - but he will never be forgotten, as he will always live on in our hearts. I believe Fr. Dan humbly walked with God, and his legacy to us is follow him on this path as we go on to live our own lives. Terry Townsend Parishioner, Lector, & Friend St. Irenaeus Parish - Park Forest
	This memory was submitted by John and Therese Goodrich 2006 World Series - When they brought the trophy and ring out to the Park Forest Village Hall, we all took pictures. Father O'Sullivan tried on the ring and then pretended to not be able to take it off! He brought along four t-shirts to have his picture taken.
This article was written by Deanna Martin and appeared in the Southtown Star on Christmas Day To: Southtown Star Letter to the Editor: St. Irenaeus’ former Pastor, Father Dan O’Sullivan, was much more than our spiritual leader. He truly was a man of the people, whether raking leaves with parishioners or trying to fix a boiler, or giving a caller at the door money from his own pocket. He loved being with the SPRED (Special Religious Education) friends, celebrating a liturgy with them, or greeting them in church. PADS found him making sandwiches and working a shift through the night. He supported and was a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and was grateful for the 200 or more volunteers of the parish ministries. An advocate for the poor, homeless, down trodden and hungry, Father set an example for the parish by encouraging all of us to give from our hearts. Isn’t this why Jesus came among us? Father O’Sullivan, who died Monday, Dec. 15, was also recognized by the Village of Park Forest’s Historical Society for his work in the community. He loved his parish family and we loved him. He will be missed. In the words of our patron, Saint Irenaeus, “Humankind fully alive is God truly glorified.” Deanna Martin, Parishioner and Lay Minister St. Irenaeus Church, Park Forest, IL
	This is a letter that Faye Predny wrote to the Cardinal when Father Dan wanted to stay at St. I past his 70th birthday. The cardinal read part of this letter to Father Dan when he was visiting the Cardinal to request an extension of his pastorship at St. I. Dear Cardinal George, Enclosed is a copy of the church bulletin, which I hope you will read, that begins the story that accompanies this letter. My son, Chris, was run over while riding his bicycle when he was eleven years old. That was almost twenty four years ago. My son was so brain damaged, that we really didn’t know when he “came out of the coma.” He suffered many physical injuries and was at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, the Rehabilitation Institute and Children’s Memorial Hospital for a total of nine months before returning home even though doctors told us we should have a feeding tube inserted and place him in an institution because his level of brain damage was too profound for him to expect much more recovery. Chris did make more improvement, but he required total care. He could not talk, but could make sounds and signals of yes and no. He could only move the left side of his body, and he kept his mouth open because of the spasticity caused by the brain damage. People stared us at wherever we went, but that didn’t stop us from going everywhere we could take a wheelchair. Chris’ story became one of showing people that one that is totally handicapped can enjoy life fully and bring the love of Christ into the people that are present in his life. The reason I am writing this letter is to share with you the story of Father Dan O’Sullivan’s part in the Chris story. Father O’Sullivan brought an awareness and full acceptance of Chris to our parish. Chris would sit on the middle aisle, and Father O’Sullivan would always stop and shake hands and talk to Chris. Eventually Chris learned to reach out his hand for Father. Chris experienced full acceptance from Father who also led the community to reach out to him. Parishioners would stop to shake his hand, and he would smile. When Chris obtained a speaking computer, Father O’Sullivan allowed him to lead the congregation at prayer. It got to the point that when Chris would see the church building he would tap his left foot and yell in anticipation of going to church. He loved being with the people of St. Irenaeus. He loved Father O’Sullivan. Last Sunday a woman stopped me in church and said she wanted to tell me her story. She had a son who had some mental impairment. The first Sunday that she attended St. Irenaeus, she saw Chris sitting on the aisle. She said she saw the love and acceptance that Father O’Sullivan and the people of St. Irenaeus showed to my son, and she knew that this was the church for her. It hasn’t only been love and acceptance for my son. Father has shown the acceptance and love for all our disabled friends at St. Irenaeus. Father values our SPRED program, encourages and participates in SPRED liturgies. I have traveled with Chris to many churches, and sometimes priests have shied away from Chris’ outstretched hand. Chris couldn’t understand why his hand remained untouched when the priest passed by. Father has always encouraged participation in liturgy, telling us that we would form a stronger community if we would all learn to participate in our liturgy. That has happened. Our community supports one another as witnessed when my son died two weeks ago and I received an incredible amount of love and support from all who knew him. Father has a funeral committee of at least twenty parishioners who attend wakes so no one feels alone at such a difficult time. In this day and age of so many scandals in our church, I thought I should write a letter to tell you about a priest who has really shown Christ’s witness to his parish. Father leads us to better participation in our liturgies, to full acceptance of all who enter our church, to celebration of diversity among us. It is difficult for me to lose my son; I had been his primary caretaker for almost twenty four years. But I wanted to share with you the grace and love of Christ shared with our family through Father Dan O’Sullivan. Sincerely, Mrs. Faye Predny