All Hallows celebrates Fr. Jerry O’Donnell’s 40th anniversary

Parishoners at All Hallows Catholic Church in La Jolla marked pastor Raymond Gerard “Jerry” O’Donnell’s 40th year in the priesthood with a reception attended by a few hundred people May 27 in the parish hall. Fr. O’Donnell was assigned to All Hallows Church in 1976 and served there until 1979.

In 2006, he was named the church’s pastor and has been instrumental in finishing All Hallow’s Academy building and also improving the church’s facilities. When asked recently by eighth-graders at All Hallows Academy what he finds most fulfilling about being a priest, Fr. O’Donnell said: “The way in which people invite me into their lives to celebrate life’s peak moments — both joyful ones and the sorrowful ones. These are the holy moments where God’s presence is experienced, and I feel humbled and blessed to be asked to be a part of them.”

Photos by Daniel K. Lew