Submitted photos Fr. Casey Mahone, center, proclaims the Rite of Installation to the congregation with Fr. James O’Connor, left, and Deacon Raymond Godwin.

The Catholic Churches of St. Brendan, Elkins and St. Patrick, Coalton welcomed Father James E. O’Connor as pastor through a special Installation Mass on Sept. 25.

The mass was presided by Father Casey Mahone, Vicar of the Clarksburg Vicariate, representing Archbishop William Lori, acting Bishop of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese. During the installation mass, Fr. O’Connor pledged to work with the Pastoral and Finance Councils of both parishes and promised through a solemn oath that he would follow the teachings of the Catholic Church. Many members of both parishes attended and participated in the service through readings, administering the eucharist and music.

The Rev. James E. O’Connor, also known as Father Jim, is originally from the Wheeling area. He graduated from St. Albans High School and then attended West Virginia University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. Father Jim was a former brother of the Sacred Heart Province of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi during which time he received a Master of Divinity from St. Michael’s College of the Toronto School of Theology of the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Prior to his higher education, Father Jim served in the U.S. Air Force as a North Vietnamese linguist and crew member of reconnaissance missions in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. While studying in Toronto, he served as deacon for the Vietnamese Catholic Community of Toronto. After ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood, Father Jim ministered as an associate pastor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From there, he became the pastor of the Marshall Catholic Community, overseeing the operation of the Catholic Newman Center at Marshall University.

Father Jim pastored at several parishes including St. Augustine Church, Grafton, St. Elizabeth Parish in Philippi and the Newman Center at Alderson-Broaddus University in Philippi.

During his remarks, Fr. O’Connor told the congregation that his grandparents, John and Annie O’Connor, were married in the early 1900s at St. Patrick Parish so he feels he has come home.

After the service, refreshments were provided by the Holy Rosary Guild where parishioners gathered to congratulate Fr. Jim on his appointment. St. Brendan Catholic Church is located at 181 St. Brendan Way and masses are conducted at 5 p.m. Saturdays and at 11 a.m. Sundays while St. Patrick Catholic Church at 200 Church St. in Coalton has mass at 8:30 a.m. Sundays.