December 31, 1957
Father Timothy J. O’Sullivan
Father O’Sullivan was born on July 4, 1880 in Hutchinson, Kansas, where he attended public grade and high schools. In preparation for his ordination at the old Pro-Cathedral on June 13, 1905 he studied at St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, KS and Kenrick Seminary, in St. Louis, MO. He was the second native son of the diocese to be ordained a priest. Except for a short term as a chaplain in the U.S. Army during W.W.I, Fr. O’Sullivan spent his 52 years as a priest in these Kansas towns: Moline, Hoisington, El Dorado, and Wichita. He was appointed the first pastor of the newly founded parish of Blessed Sacrament in Wichita on June 8, 1927 and remained there until his death on December 31, 1957. At the time of a severe stroke in 1955, he was Vicar General, Defensor Vinculi, and a Diocesan Consultor. Father O’Sullivan was particularly remembered for his work to begin a lay retreat movement in the diocese. “Father O’Sullivan was one of the most prominent and beloved priests of the Wichita Diocese.” (The Advance Register, Jan. 3, 1958) Bishop Carroll celebrated his funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament with an over-flow crowd of laity, sisters, and 130 priests present. Burial was at Memorial Park Cemetery in Hutchinson.