Funeral Mass was celebrated April 2 at St. Julie Billiart Church, Newbury Park, for Father Thomas Meskill, 76, a retired pastor and educator, who died March 25. Born in Newcastle West, County Limerick, Ireland, the sixth child of 11, he attended school in Ireland, where he much admired his Trappist Monk teachers. Father Meskill, along with his brother, decided to attend St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, and he was ordained on April 30, 1960 by Cardinal McIntyre. He served in a number of parishes and high schools within the archdiocese, where his two brothers, the late Father Francis Meskill and the late Father Patrick Meskill, also ministered.He served during the summer of 1960 as an associate pro tem at St. Mel Church in Woodland Hills followed by four years at St. Monica Church in Santa Monica, where he was an associate pastor and instructor at the parish high school. He next served as a teacher and vice principal of Santa Clara High School in Oxnard for two years and, in 1966, moved to St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, where he was named principal.In 1976, he became principal at Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, serving for two years. From 1978-1987, he ministered as pastor of St. Raphael Church, Santa Barbara. His final assignment was as senior priest at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Rowland Heights (1998-99).Father Meskill retired in 2001 and, due to illness, resided at Mary Health of the Sick from 2007 until his death. He is survived by three brothers, two sisters-in-law and various nieces and nephews. Persons wishing to send condolence cards may send them to the Family of Father Thomas Meskill, c/o St. Julie Billiart Church, 2475 Borchard Rd., Newbury Park, CA 91320-3258, and they will be forwarded. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.Fr. Charles Massoth, OSBFuneral Mass was celebrated April 26 at St. Gregory’s Abbey Church in Oklahoma for Father Charles Massoth, 89, who died April 21. He had completed 67 years as a monk, having served for 63 years as a priest, including time spent as pastor of St. Benedict in Montebello. He also served as the eighth abbot of St. Gregory’s Abbey.Born in Piqua, Kansas, he entered the U.S. Navy during World War II in 1943. He soon contracted rheumatic fever, however, and was honorably discharged from the military after six months of service. He then enrolled at St. Gregory’s College, and entered the novitiate at St. Gregory’s Abbey in his sophomore year. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1951 and pursued additional university studies in business, music and education. From 1948-71, he served in a variety of capacities at St. Gregory’s High School and College, including teaching and administrative duties. On July 1, 1971, he became pastor of St. Benedict Church in Montebello, founded by the monks of St. Gregory’s in 1907. A beloved pastor, known for his gentleness, kindness, compassion and business sense, he received the “Community Service Award” in 1974 for his efforts in the city of Montebello.Father Massoth completed his first tenure of service in Montebello in 1986, when he returned to Oklahoma to serve as Prior of St. Gregory’s Abbey and as Chaplain at St. Gregory’s College. He was elected and confirmed as the eighth Abbot of St. Gregory’s Abbey in early 1989, serving in that leadership role for five years.After a six-month sabbatical, he returned to California to reassume his pastorate at St. Benedict. This assignment was brief, however, as he was called back a year later to become the pastor of St. Benedict Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. In 1999, he returned to the monastery, where he lived in semi-retirement, helping out in several ministries. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Gregory’s Abbey for the newly established Abbot Charles Massoth, OSB Monastery Education Burse, St. Gregory Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur St., Shawnee, OK 74804-2499.
