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Father O’Malley, founding pastor of Risen Christ, dies at 85
By Julie Filby
Father Joseph M. O’Malley, founding pastor of Risen Christ Parish and former pastor of Notre Dame Parish, died Feb. 12. He was 85.
“After 60 years of service to Christ, he’s now gone to be welcomed by the Father,” said Deacon Robert Rinne of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. “Father O’Malley believed his faith; he proclaimed his faith; and he built his life around his faith.”
A native of Worcester, Mass., Father O’Malley was born Nov. 27, 1925, to Michael and Josephine O’Malley. He was educated at public schools, Holy Cross College in Worcester, and the University of Montreal.
In 1944 he entered St. Thomas Seminary in Hartford, Conn. He also studied at the Seminaire de Philosophie and Grand Seminary, both in Montreal. In 1948 he transferred to St. Thomas Theological Seminary (now St. John Vianney Theological Seminary) in Denver to complete his formation.
Father O’Malley was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1950, by Cardinal John J. Wright in Worcester, with friends and family from New England, then returned to serve in the Denver Archdiocese.
In July 1950, he was named assistant pastor at St. Philomena in Denver, where he spent seven years. He then served as chaplain for Denver’s Federal Youth Center for 10 years. After six months as pastor at Divine Redeemer Church in Colorado Springs in 1967, Father O’Malley returned to Denver where he was founding pastor at Risen Christ Parish and remained pastor for 13 years.
In 1980, Father O’Malley was assigned as vicar for education for the archdiocese’s pastoral center. In 1984, he become pastor at Notre Dame Parish in Denver where he served until his retirement in the summer of 1989.
The son of a fire fighter, Father O’Malley also served as chief of chaplains for the Denver Fire Department for many years. He was known to have police and fire radios on his home 24 hours a day, responding to fires and disasters as needed. He also served as chaplain for the South Metro Fire Department following his retirement.
Father O’Malley was chaplain for the Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, a Fourth Degree member of Knights of Columbus, and Charter Friar Fourth Degree of the Mother Seton Assembly.
A man with newspaper reporting experience, Father O’Malley published a newsletter “Talking at Random” for more than 50 years, and also compiled a lengthy history of the Archdiocese of Denver covering 1910-1950.
Throughout his priesthood, he participated in many civic organizations. He served as chaplain at National Jewish Hospital, Civil Air Patrol (he was a retired lieutenant colonel), Our Lady of the Bell Telephone Employees and the State Fire Chiefs Association.
He chaired the Archdiocesan Personnel Board, Priests Retirement Committee, and served as dean for the Southeast Denver deanery. He was also an adjunct professor of criminology at Regis University and supervised training of chaplains for the Bureau of Prisons.
“Father O’Malley devoted his life to the altar,” said Deacon Rinne. “He proclaimed the Gospel to build up Christ’s Church and offer the grace-filled gifts of the sacraments—and he did a good job.”=
A funeral Mass was held for Father O’Malley at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Feb. 18. The homilist was lifelong friend Father Philip McNamara of the Diocese of Worcester, Mass. Burial took place at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge.
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