Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. Michael Graham O'Brien, CSC

Jan. 30, 1911 - Dec. 16, 2003

South Bend Tribune 12/20/2003

Rev. Michael Graham O'Brien, CSC, died on Tuesday, Dec. 16, in Holy Cross House, Douglas Road, Notre Dame, Ind. after a lengthy illness. Father O'Brien was 92 years old. Father O'Brien was born to Michael and Catherine (Collins) O'Brien on Jan. 30, 1911, in Cheboygan, Mich. He attended grade school at St. Mary in Cheboygan and St. Boniface in Detroit, Mich., graduating in June 1924.

After one year at St. Vincent High School in Detroit, he entered Holy Cross Seminary, Notre Dame, Ind. in August of 1925.  On July 1, 1933 Father O'Brien received the habit of St. Joseph Novitiate at Notre Dame and pronounced first vows Aug. 16, 1934. After four years of study at Moreau Seminary and Notre Dame he studied theology at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C.

Father O'Brien was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1942 in Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame. For the next four years he assisted at the seminary in North Easton, Ma. From 1946 until 1950 he did graduate work at the University of Minnesota. For one year he studied and taught at Moreau Seminary before beginning a long and distinguished career at the University of Portland.

From 1951 until 1962, Father O'Brien taught English at Portland. He was a much beloved professor and sought after counselor. In 1962 he was appointed Director of Studies and Dean of Faculties. In 1967 he accompanied University of Portland students to Salzburg, Austria as their chaplain before returning to Portland as teacher from 1969 to 1977.

After a year's sabbatical at the institute for Clergy Education, Notre Dame, he entered parochial ministry at Holy Cross Church in Portland, Oregon. In 1981 he came to Notre Dame as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish. In 1984 he began eight years of service to students as chaplain to the Student Infirmary.

After his retirement from that position Father O'Brien stayed two more years at Corby Hall until failing health called for his moving to Holy Cross House in 1994, where he resided until the time of his death. Father O'Brien is survived by his sisters, Margaret Brushaber of Ann Arbor, Mich. and Dorothy O'Reilly, of Topinabee, Mich.; a niece and several nephews and over 60 grand-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Edward, Robert, Joseph, William, Cajetan, Emmett and Justin; and by three sisters, Mary, Kathleen and Helen.

Viewing will be held for Father O'Brien in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 3:30 to 9 p.m. with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame on Monday, Dec. 22, at 3:30 p.m. Burial will follow in the Community Cemetery at Notre Dame. The Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, Ind., is in charge of arrangements.