[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 136 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1885-E1886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN MEMORY OF A HERO AND A PASTOR, REV. EDWARD CONNORS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 1998

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, it has been nearly thirteen years since 
the Rev. Edward T. Connors, retired pastor of Immaculate Conception 
parish and chaplain of the 9th ``Yankee'' Infantry Division during 
World War II, passed away on January 28, 1986, but his memory and 
spiritual inspiration still remain strong in Central Massachusetts.
  Father Connors received many awards and honors throughout his 
lifetime, including the Silver Star, one of our nation's highest honors 
for heroism, for rescuing a soldier from ``no man's land'' through a 
mine field that was considered suicidal to cross. He was also honored 
frequently for his life's work in the Worcester region, including the 
Fourth Degree Patriotism Award from Bishop O'Reilly Assembly, Knights 
of Columbus, in 1980, and the Crusader of the year award from Holy 
Cross College in 1981. In 1985, he was honored by 1,600 at a 
testimonial at Worcester Auditorium.
  Many families and veterans, clergy and faculty, from the cities and 
towns of Worcester, Northbridge, Grafton, North Grafton and 
Whitinsville still remember his courage, humor, intelligence and 
dedication as a pastor, community leader, and humanitarian.
  In his memory, and on behalf of all whose lives were touched by this 
pastor and gentleman of distinction, I would like to enter into this 
Record the January 30, 1986 article in the Worcester Telegram and 
Gazette describing his deeds and his contributions to our nation.

   [From the Worcester Telegram and Gazette Thursday, Jan. 30, 1986]

       Rev. Edward Connors, Retired Immaculate Conception Pastor

       The Rev. Edward T. Connors, 80, retired pastor of 
     Immaculate Conception parish and chaplain of the 9th 
     ``Yankee'' Infrantry Division during World II, died Tuesday 
     in St. Francis Home, 37 Thorne St.
       He lived at 87-5 Park Ave.
       Father Connors was chaplain of the 9th Infantry Division 
     during the invasions of Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, France, 
     Belgium and Germany--invasions which cost the division 4,581 
     lives during the war.
       After he was discharged from service in 1945, Father 
     Connors returned as a curate at St. Peter's Church.
       In 1950 he was named pastor of St. Phillip's Church in 
     Grafton. He was also pastor at St. Mary's parish in North 
     Grafton before becoming pastor of Immaculate Conception 
     parish in Worcester in 1952. During his pastorate at 
     Immaculate Conception, the parish built a new church in 1957. 
     He retired in 1980.
       Born in Whitinsville, he was a son of Bartholomew J. and 
     Mary (Haggerty) Connors.
       He graduated from Northbridge High School and from Holy 
     Cross College in 1927. He studied at St. Mary's Seminary in 
     Baltimore from 1927 to 1931, and was ordained in Springfield 
     in 1931 by Bishop Thomas J. O'Leary.
       He was assigned as curate of St. Peter's church and 
     athletic director of St. Peter's High School in 1931, when 
     the football team then won the state championship. Lester 
     ``Buster'' Sheary, who was coaching three sports at St. 
     Peter's when the new curate arrived, recalled, ``If anyone 
     ever revived St. Peter's athletics, it was Father Ed.''
       And Joseph Walsh, St. Peter's basketball standout during 
     Father Connors' second tour there after World War II, 
     recalled his spirit: ``He had a special enthusiasm for the 
     athletes and the teams.''
       Two years after his arrival at St. Peter's, Father Connors 
     joined Father James M. McCarron in forming the Catholic 
     League for Worcester and County high school basketball teams.
       In 1935, Father Connors was transferred to Sacred Heart 
     Academy and a year later to St. Bernard's High School in 
     Fitchburg, where he was athletic director until he entered 
     the Army in 1942.


                        ``Connor's Coffee Shop''

       Partly because of his pleading with military and church 
     authorities, he was allowed to follow ``his boys'' into the 
     front lines.
       The legend of the chaplain's ``coffee shop,'' his friendly 
     mingling with enlisted men, his disregard for rank, his 
     intense interest in ``his boys'' regardless of their 
     religion, and his heroism long outlived the war.
       In particular, ``Connors' Coffee Shop'' was a tradition 
     among the troops of the 9th during any respite from battle. 
     Brewed in a big aluminum pitcher and heated on a ration-can 
     stove with kerosene, the coffee was simply boiled and served. 
     When the coffee ran low, Father Connors just added more 
     grounds and water.
       ``We never dared get all the way down to the bottom of the 
     pot,'' he mused. ``We were afraid of what we might find in 
     it. There was a quarter-inch cake of coffee on the sides of 
     it to add to the flavor, and there were days when the men 
     claimed they had to chew it--it was too strong to drink.''
       Father Connors was awarded the Silver Star for rescuing a 
     soldier from ``No Man's Land'' through a mine field that was 
     considered suicidal to cross.
       One veteran of the 9th, of the Greek Orthodox faith, 
     recalled Father Connors as ``a great chaplain . . . he was 
     right down in front when it all counted. He was one of the 
     troops.''
       In recalling the growth of the ecumenical movement, he once 
     said of the soldiers of the 9th, ``We didn't talk it; we've 
     lived it . . . It was no big deal for us. This was the way we 
     lived those years: Dedicated to our own faith, praying 
     together in a common purpose.'' He told of a Jewish chaplain 
     who was shelled and dying in a battlefield in France.
       ``He asked for my blessing before dying. Not absolution,'' 
     he added. ``He died a strong, dedicated Jew, but wanted my 
     blessing. We all must have a faith. We must believe in it. 
     Stand up for it. But--we can all pray together.''
       During the war, he became a close friend of Gen. William C. 
     Westmoreland, later Army chief of staff.
       When he returned to Worcester after the war, Father Connors 
     yearned for a reunion with his 9th Division comrades. So he 
     launched a yearly tradition in his home parish, then St. 
     Peter's parish. The reunion and memorial Mass were conceived, 
     he said, to celebrate the living and honor the dead of the 
     9th.


                           Honored Many Times

       Father Connors received numerous awards, including the 
     Fourth Degree Patriotism Award from Bishop O'Reilly Assembly, 
     Knights of Columbus, in 1980, Crusader of the Year award from 
     Holy Cross College in 1981.
       Of his parishioners, Father Connors said, ``I hope I have 
     inspired them as much as they inspired me.''
       In March 1985, he was honored by 1,600 at a testimonial at 
     Worcester auditorium.
       Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan then called Father Connors ``a 
     good friend and an example of a dedicated and zealous 
     priest.''

[[Page E1886]]

       The Rev. Paul T. O'Connell, his associate for 10 years at 
     Immaculate Conception Church, said Father Connors had really 
     taught him ``the good things in life.''
       And President Ronald Reagan wrote from the White House, 
     ``Your spirit of patriotism and your spirit of faith is the 
     same that built America.''
       Father Connors was spiritual director for 35 years of the 
     Worcester Diocesan Council of Catholic Nurses. He was also 
     chaplain for Division 36 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians 
     in Worcester and chaplain of the St. Patrick's Day Parade 
     Committee in Worcester.
       He was a member of the Emerald Club.
       He leaves several cousins.
       The funeral will be tomorrow with a concelebrated Mass at 
     11 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove St. Bishop 
     Timothy J. Harrington will be principal celebrant. Burial 
     will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, 
     Whitinsville.
       Calling hours at the church are 2 to 9 p.m. today.
       A wake service will be there at 7 p.m. today. Members of 
     Division 36, Ancient Order of Hibernians, will convene at 7 
     p.m. to attend the service.
       It is requested flowers be omitted. Memorial donations may 
     be made to the Clergy Fund of the Diocese of Worcester, 49 
     Elm St.
       Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., is directing 
     arrangements.

     

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