rn Fr. Patrick Meskill, pastor emeritus of St. Julie Billiart, diesFuneral Mass was held Aug. 31 at St. Julie Billiart Church in Newbury Park for Father Patrick Meskill, pastor emeritus, 83, who died Aug. 23. Born in County Kerry, Ireland, he attended seminary at St. Patrick’s College, Thurles, and was ordained in 1953. Since 1956, he served in ministry within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where his two priest-brothers — the late Father Francis Meskill and Father Thomas Meskill, living in retirement — also ministered.He served as an associate pastor at several parishes, including St. Mel, Woodland Hills; St. Andrew, Pasadena; Santa Clara, Oxnard; and St. John Chrysostom, Inglewood. He was also a Newman Center chaplain for ten years at L.A. Pierce Community College (Woodland Hills) and for three years at the Northrup Institute of Technology. In 1973, Father Meskill was named the second pastor of St. Julie Billiart, where he served until he retired as pastor emeritus in December 1995. During his 23 years at the Newbury Park parish, he spearheaded the campaign for a new church and led ground-breaking ceremonies in 1985. The new church — a $1.5 million structure including a 50-seat chapel with a main sanctuary for 730 persons — was completed in 1986.Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. Condolences may be sent to The Family of Father Meskill, c/o St. Julie Billiart Church, 2475 Borchard Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320-3293.rn
