James J. O'Donnell

Searsport - James J. O'Donnell, 82 years, of Searsport, ME, passed away September 28, 2023, at Sussman House.

James (aka Simon) J. O'Donnell born July 17, 1941 joined his parents, James and Alice (Capen) and his brothers Richard, Michael, and Edward in death, leaving behind a sister Alice Mary (Curtis) and a brother Timothy both of Searsport, and many cousins, nephews and nieces, Miriam and the Marsolais family and a "California Circle of Friends who were with him when the porridge was hot and when the porridge was cold. In a token of his life, he asks to be remembered for:

EIGHT DESIRES I FOUND WELL WORTH THE PURSUIT

To become a very good listener

To sense yourself surrounded by wonderful gifts

To catch the rhythm of dawn, day, dusk, dark

To celebrate with awe the changes of grape into wine, wheat into bread

To wander on the earth to witness the splendid array of cultures

To rejoice in all that the earth brings forth, the many colors and textures

To know the joy of good friends and good conversation at table

To be at peace in the night and in the day to sing and dance

EIGHT RULES I DISCOVERED FOR THE GOOD LIFE

Treat others as you would want them to treat you

Judge not why they are needy but show the needy great compassion

Seek not to bring another down as if their fall holds a blessing for you

Hold not the wrongdoer in contempt and never retaliate when wronged

Trim your needs and your desires and then be content with a sufficiency

Weigh the effect of your words in your heart before speaking them aloud Welcome with great reverence the stranger, even the hostile

Be steady and consistent in pursuit of life's highest purposes.

With the hope that those left behind, find a way to carry out the above in a better way than I achieved and WITH GRATITUDE FOR EIGHT SPECIAL GROUPS

The Clergy of St Mary's Parish, Bangor, Maine -1941-1959

The Sisters of Mercy at St. Mary's School, Bangor, Maine-1946-1955

The Xaverian Brothers at John Bapst High School, Bangor, Maine-1955-1959

The Benedictine Professors at St. Anselm College-1959-1968

The Professors at the International Benedictine School in Rome-1968-1970

The Professors in Ethics at the Catholic University of America -1973-1975

The Staff of the Institute of St Anselm, England -1985-1986

For lovers of learning and mission from Metten, Pannonhalma, Zevenkerken

EIGHT COMPANIONS I WOULD LIKE TO HA VE IN HEAVEN

Abraham -for his practice of hospitality

Jeremiah-for his loyalty to God's Word

Jesus -for his love of the poor

Benedict -for establishing a communal way of life

Anselm -for faith seeking understanding

Thomas Aquinas -for reason seeking faith

Thomas Jefferson -for his contribution to our founding documents Abraham Lincoln -for saving our country

A memorial mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Thursday October 5, 2023 at 11 am.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com