Rev. Charles J. O’Rourke
November 1, 1930 ~ November 6, 2020
Father Charles Joseph O’Rourke died on November 6, 2020 in Papillion, NE. Father O’Rourke was born on November 1, 1930 in Missouri Valley, IA to Charles O’Rourke and Mary (Walsh) O’Rourke.
He was preceded in death by his brother James, Donald (Shirley) O’Rourke and sisters Mary, Patricia (Victor Don Shea) and Irene (Francis) Green; and brother-in-law Gerald Gubbels.
He is survived by two of his sisters, Rita Gubbels and Sister Jeanne O’Rourke RSM of Omaha, and many nieces and nephews.
He joined the Columban Fathers as a high school student and was ordained at St. Columban’s Major Seminary in Milton, MA in 1957. From 1958 till 1985, he was mostly on the missions in South Korea. Upon returning to the United States, he pastored Korean Catholic communities in Chicago, Los Angeles and Omaha. After a transfer to the Columban headquarters in Bellevue, he continued ministry to the Korean Catholics of the area and to Contemplative Prayer.
Visitation following CDC guidelines: Tuesday, November 10th, 4:00-7:00 p.m. with Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bellevue.
Click the link below to view the Vigil Service
https://boxcast.tv/view/father-charles-orourke-100238
Mass of Christian Burial following CDC guidelines: Wednesday, November 11th, 10:30 a.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bellevue.
Click the link below to view the Mass of Christian Burial
https://boxcast.tv/view/father-charles-orourke-724703
Click the link below to view the Inurnment service:
https://boxcast.tv/view/father-charles-orourke-922783
Inurnment: Monday, December 7th, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Omaha
8 Comments
Ii would like to livestream the Mass
We had the pleasure of knowing Father and having attended his masses and sharing lunch. He will be missed! A saint among us. RIP Father O’Rourke!
Wish we could be there to celebrate Uncle Father Charles life. He meant the world to us. Loved his quick wit and sense of humor. He was a simple man who had traveled the world and loved everyone he met.
What a saint he was and stylish too!
We miss uncle Charlie deeply
The Flanigans
Charlie,
Go in peace. I’m sure they’re all waiting for you in heaven. Many thanks for your companionship on the Journey. Condolances and prayers to Sr. Jean, Sr. Johanna and all your family and friends. Together in the Lord, Chuck
He was a gift to our large family, a best bud to my Dad, smile maker to my Mom, a celebrant for many of our Weddings, Baptisms and Communions. He brought joy and spiritual guidance to all of us. Enjoy God’s embrace Fr. Charlie!!
Fr. Charles was a blessing to our large, extended family! We will miss his smile, his peaceful nature, his willingness to learn and do things regardless of his age, and his very special visits to our home.
Dear Father O,
May you rest in eternal peace. He was such a blessing to the Korean community. We are so thankful for his ministry, his light, and incredible love. He was truly an angel and will be dearly missed. May you be at peace in the embrace of our Lord.
Dear Family of Fr Charlie O’Rourke,
How beautiful it must been to have Father Charlie O’Rourke in your family. So gentle, kind, thoughtful, unassuming, full of warmth and a smile. He was a treasure to our family . We first met Father in 1973. We were living on the army base in South Korea, Father O’Rourke celebrated Mass in the hospital chapel on Saturdays. Soon he was a regular guest at our house for Saturday. During our time in Korea he introduced us to many of his fellow Columban priests.. He made a visit to us a year after we left Korea in Virginia. Last Christmas he talked with my mother who died a few weeks later January 2020, that was an extra blessing for our family and I will always be grateful to God for inspiring this missionary And gifting our family with such a beautiful example of a Christian life. He was a blessing to our family. With prayers, Nancy Long, McLean Virginia
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