August 30, 2019
Fr Patrick Benignus (Ben) O’Rourke OSA died peacefully last Sunday at 10.00pm in St Joseph’s Home, 3 days after celebrating his 90th birthday.
He was ordained in 1956 and posted to Austin Friars School, Carlisle, until 1981 where he taught English and become Headmaster. From 1981 to 1997 he served here at St Mary’s as Parish Priest before transferring to Clare Priory as Parish Priest for 8 years, remaining there till 2018.
Fr Ben was known widely for his prayerfulness, his gentle listening and his ‘ministry of the phone and email’. He’s now well-known for his books: both ‘Finding your Hidden Treasure’ and his ‘Confessions of St Augustine’ coming out in his 80’s, with his translation of Mark’s Gospel still at the publishers.