Gerald Watson Condon

Due to these times of uncertainty regarding the Corona Virus, and the daily tightening of rules regarding the gatherings of people, Bishop Liam Cary has announced that the Public Mass of Christian Burial for Reverend Gerald Condon will be postponed, a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Rev. Gerald W. “Gerry” Condon was born in Dublin, Ireland, on September 8, 1927 to James and Anne Jane Hawkins Condon. When still a baby, Father Gerry suffered a severe illness, enough so that doctors and his mother did not expect him to survive. Anne’s strong belief in the intercession of the saints, led her to dedicate his tiny being to St. Therese of Lisieux. This initiated a strong bond with this saint for his 92 years. (In fact, his final stage drama was The Little Way of St. Therese.)

He attended St. Patrick College in Thurles, Ireland, where he was ordained at the St. Patrick Cathedral on June 12, 1955. His assignments were with the Diocese of Baker: 1955 - Assistant Pastor, St. Patrick, Lakeview; 1959 – Pastor, St. John, and Chaplain of 636 AC&W Squadron, Condon; 1960 – Pastor, St. Mary, Wasco; 1969 – Pastor, St. Augustine, Merrill; 1973 – Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, and Director of the Campaign for Human Development; 1980 – Pastor, St. Patrick, Lakeview; 1986 – Pastor, St. Joseph, Prineville, and Pastor, St. Patrick, Heppner; 1993 reappointed Pastor, St. Patrick and St. William, Heppner and Ione. He retired in January, 2013.

Father Condon was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Matthew in 1917, brother Cyril in 1924, sister Ena in 1930, Sister Sylvia in 1990, and sister Freddie in 2009.

Father Gerry is survived by good friend Mary Thunder of Ireland, who with her husband, Niall, shared a special bond with Father for many years, and many parishioners who love him dearly, as well as the communities of Heppner and Ione.

Contributions in Father’s name may be sent to St. Patrick Catholic Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 663, Heppner, Oregon, 97836, or to St. William Catholic Church Memorial Fund, also PO Box 663, Heppner, Oregon, 97836 .

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