Larry Kavanagh ’64
Larry Kavanagh ’64 and his Sorin Hall roommates became volunteer altar servers for the charming and hermit-like Father John O’Brien, who lived on the fourth floor of the Administration Building.
“Father O’Brien was a delightful and holy man. We grew to love him. He became a sort of Father Confessor to us.
After graduation, Father O’B gave me a copy of one of his books with an inscription that read. “To Lawrence Kavanagh, my Faithful Acolyte. With gratitude and Best wishes. John A. O’Brien.” Almost 60 years later, I still have and cherish this book
“Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation to receive the gift of love that is Christ. Quite honestly, we sometimes make too much of these preparations. We can forget that often the most meaningful ways we can open our hearts to receive the gifts God has in store for us begin with simple acts of service to those God places in our path.”
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This is what it means to be a true friend.
I had the pleasure of occupying the famous 313 Soren Hall turret room with my two roommates, Harry Edelstein, and Emmett rut. We were always great friends from high school days on through St Thomas Academy and Notre Dame. We were fortunate tough to have both Frank O’Malley, and several other of the bachelor Props living in Soren at that time who influenced our lives in a very positive manner we look back to those days with great memories, and I think Mr. Kavanaugh for reporting his memorable days at Soren with father O’Brien, go Ron Smith I’m Class of 1955 and commerce and 1957 law school graduates. I am still around today and still cherish my memories of Notre Dame.
Father O’Brien lives in your heart today. We hope to make this world a better place while we’re here. It becomes especially meaningful that your simple acts live on through the lives of others well after you have moved onto the next life.
Ave Crux, Spes Unica
Thank you for sharing your story. What a gift you boys gave to him by making him important in your lives.
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Beautiful story that filled my heart with joy. Thank you for the reminders
A beautiful story of a “simple act of service” to one God placed in your path. Thank you.
“with simple acts of service to those God places in our path.” ……………This phrase seems to me to be an almost single way we can live our life Abundantly and joyfully. Everybody’s on their path. We merely need to be aware and alert to See How we can help and then offer it. I treasure this simple and straight forward story of Service. Thank You Larry’ 64.
I am moved to tears by this story; however, I am a little biased as this is my dad, but this act of kindness is what he has shown throughout his parenting and his life.
Miriam,
I felt the same, a wonderful and inspirational story. Best Christmas gift to see your parent in this light.
These were college students. Are there still men of faith like these? I have tears falling I am so touched by this simple story.
A story of such simplicity but so profoundly moving.
Fr John A O’Brien, pray for us! 🙏
Such a remarkable and beautiful example of what Advent truly means. The fact that the students were drawn to help and befriend Fr. O’Brien speaks volumes.
Thank you.
Beautiful story! Did he perform your marriage ceremony?
No, Father O’B did not officiate at our wedding in the Log Chapel. However, the morning of the wedding I did attend his early-morning Mass.
Thank for sharing this beautiful story. It really touched my heart.
“Simple acts of service to the people God places in our path”. What a beautiful reminder! Thank you and your friends for you simple acts of service, and friendship, that you gave Fr. O’Brien.
Simply amazing! What an experience and story- thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Thank you for reminding me to be more like you and your friends in service and kindness to others like you showed Father O’Brien.
“ Christ is the reason for Christmas”
Beautiful and profound beyond words.
Larry, I love your story. Thanks for sharing. A great reminder of the impact of what may seem as small acts of kindness, actually are huge. From your fellow Sorin College Domer.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. It is a reminder that through simple acts of kindness we can develop friendships that last a lifetime.
Father Obie, RIP….Go IRISH!!!!
Great story! It’s all about the small things.
Wonderful Christmas story. I wonder if anyone today is living in the Main Building and I wonder what happened to Father OBies room and chapel. A fellow basement Sorinite.
What a beautiful story and act of love. You brought tears to my eyes and once again reminded me to adjust my focus to serve others. Thank you.
Enjoyed this piece about Fr. O’Brien, because I, too, have a connection: when Fr. O’Brien was much, much younger, he was the Chaplain at the Newman Center at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Both my mother and father, students then, knew him well, and and he officiated at my parent’s wedding there on June 13, 1928, the day after their graduation. Years later, when my wife and I married, he was a co-celebrant at our marriage at Sacred Heart on July 7, 1962. A lovely man.
— Bob Sedlack, ’59
Your parents, and you and your wife were twice blessed!
I was a Sorin resident my senior year 1969. The touching reminiscence took me back to my room for a view out the window of the Church and the Golden Dome.
Larry- Wonderful acts of faith by you and the fabulous five. Looking forward to you returning to campus for our 60th Reunion of Class of 64 this coming May-June. Thank you for reminding us of all the faith filled opportunities one has/had at Notre Dame.
What an inspiring story! We must never overlook the simple things that we can do. And the benefits so often flow both ways. Blessings to all!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories. How touching.
What a great story. Thanks for sharing
Larry =
What a great remembrance!
I believe that I had the privilege of serving as an acolyte at your marriage in the Log Chapel officiated by Father Hesburgh.
Thanks for the memories!
George C Lang Class of 1964 BS Mathematics
George, how great to hear from you! Yes indeed, you and Dave Herlihy were the two acolytes at my wedding in the Log Chapel. You were also one of the “faithful five” who were Father O’B s servers, along with Dave, Larry Hagerty, and John Tobia. I have nothing but good memories of Notre Dame. Are you still in Minnesota? Judy is still my wife after almost 60 years, and we live in Virginia in a town called Louisa, midway between Charlottesville and Richmond. Nothing butg my very best to you and yours.
Larry, what a gift to recognize that you were in the presence of a truly holy man, and that you carried him throughout your life!
Larry,
Wow…such a simple act, but sooo incredibly powerful, moving, and loving. Thank you for perpetuating the simplicity
of Jesus’ love for us in this all-too-often hectic and troubled world. God’s continued blessings…
Beautiful experience….God works in mysterious ways and through us…we just have to see the light He projects
Your story brought back wonderful sacred memories for me and my roommates from Zahm Hall. In 1970-1971, we were recruited by our RA, Dick Reynolds, to attend Fr O’Brien’s morning Mass. It was a genuine ND spiritual experience to have such an intimate gathering. There were five of us, counting Fr O’Brien.
Sadly, this holy man became caught up in the crippling dementia disease and had to stop his morning liturgies. However, he did recruit us to help box up and ship the hundreds of extra copies of his books. As I recall we helped him ship them to various CSC missions throughout the world.
My only regret is that I did not keep any of the books before we shipped them out.
Thank you, Uncle Dicky wherever you are for introducing us to Fr O’Brien. My he rest in peace.
With gratitude and blessings
What a beautiful story, my favorite thus far….thank you!
Thank you for your inspirational remembrance☘️