I met Msgr. Charlie O’Gorman when I was 18 years old, a student at Santa Clara High School in Oxnard. He was 51, pastor of Santa Clara Parish a couple miles away. He was a very handsome, distinguished looking fellow. But he winced when we shook hands. I felt bad because I didn’t know he had arthritis. I apologized profusely.
Not to worry. With a wave of his hand he dismissed it. It would take a lot more to offend him and make him angry. He was then, as he was always, a perfect gentleman.
When I came to Santa Clara 11 years ago as pastor, it was Monsignor who greeted me in the dining room. That became our meeting place, where for over 10 years we ate dinner together.
He was the happiest priest I have ever known. He was always singing. During football season we would watch the games as we ate dinner. Some associates didn’t understand our addiction to Notre Dame Football. On those occasions Monsignor and I would wolf down our dinners then retire to the common room to watch the games.
We would hoot and holler and carry on. He was so much fun. Sometimes we would stay up late to watch the football highlights. I always looked forward to college football season and Msgr. Charlie.
He was an adventurous fellow and would go flying with me. I flew him to the South Lake Tahoe “Scareport.” He was fearless. The entire trip he was glued to the window, in awe, especially as we skirted Yosemite. He appreciated nature in all its beauty and magnificence.
We would hoot and holler and carry on. He was so much fun. Sometimes we would stay up late to watch the football highlights. I always looked forward to college football season and Msgr. Charlie.
He was a deeply spiritual man. He was a compassionate man. He was a holy priest. I once found him in the common room “counting” on his fingers.
“Whatcha doin’, Charlie?” I asked. “Doing my Rosary, Johnny --- I forgot my beads.”
When I went to anoint the late Msgr. Pat O’Brien, the longtime pastor of San Buenaventura Mission, there was Father Charlie. When I anointed my father, Charlie was right behind me with his hand on my shoulder. When I anointed my dear friend Jack Valenti, Charlie was right there.
But Msgr. Charlie was there for everyone, not just me. He always showed up to visit, to bless, to anoint, to pray, to encourage, to participate, to celebrate (especially my 51st birthday). How did he do it? The man was everywhere.
Six months ago, his crippling stroke blindsided all of us. Yet, in that time he continued to endear himself to the staff of St. Joseph Health and Retirement Center in Ojai as well as anyone and everyone who came to visit room 14.
His last day on earth saw a steady stream of visitors coming to show their love and affection for him. On April 23, 2012 at 6:30 p.m., while a small remnant of parishioners sang, “As the Deer Longs for Running Streams,” he went to heaven. Gently, quietly, like a whisper.
From his humble beginnings in Ireland, to surviving deadly conflicts in Vietnam, to his beloved Chapel in El Rio, Msgr. Charles Francis O’Gorman will always be affectionately remembered as Father Charlie: a Holy priest who, through his love of life, country, God and fellow man, truly manifested Jesus Christ to all who encountered this great soul. We love him so much and will miss him, but our faith and hope in the Resurrection assures us we will see him again.
Godspeed, Father Charlie. Pray for us!
Msgr. Jon Majarucon is the pastor of Santa Clara Church, Oxnard.{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2012/0504/ogorman/{/gallery}
