Rev. Peter Glenn O’Sullivan, 65, priest of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, was born December 23, 1955 to James F and Margaret R O’Sullivan. He faithfully served as a diocesan priest for 38 years. He died on October 9, 2021 after a brief but brave battle against head and neck cancer. He was a beloved brother, adored uncle, teacher, coach, mentor chaplain and friend. A talented storyteller and compelling, but relatable homilist, he was truly a humble servant.
When recently asked what his goals are, he related, “I just want to help people.” The outpouring of stories about Pete on hearing about his death show he met that goal. Pete did the little things that matter. He attended countless sporting events, visitations, hospitals, hospices and homes. Yet, he never talked about how tirelessly he worked. He continued to meet with parishioners as he was able up until he was hospitalized himself.
Pete grew up in Shawnee, Kansas where he was salutatorian of St. Joseph High School class of 1974. He was a star athlete playing on the offensive line for football and doing hurdles in track. He was an All-State football player and was selected to play in the inaugural Shrine Bowl and later gave the invocation at the 10th anniversary game.
He received a football scholarship to Washburn University where he played until an injury his junior year. He was getting his degree in mathematics, history and education with plans to coach and teach. From there he went to the US Marine Corp in Quantico, Virginia. During Lent that year, he attended Mass every day at 6 am in the morning where he discerned his vocation. He attended St. Louis University where he received a Master’s in Theology.
Pete was ordained at St. Joseph Church in Shawnee, Kansas on June 4, 1983. He served as a deacon at Annunciation Catholic Church in Frankfort, Ks. His first ten years as a priest he also taught at the local Catholic high schools where he served. His first parish was Christ the King, in Kansas City, Kansas where he taught at Bishop Ward High School for three years. From there, he went to Topeka at Assumption and St. Joseph parishes. While in Topeka, he taught at Hayden Catholic High School for four years. Next, he was pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Nortonville and Immaculate Conception in Valley Falls while teaching at Maur Hill Academy for three years. Next, he was sent to St. Pius in Mission and then to Emporia, where he served both Sacred Heart and St. Catherine’s Parishes and helped both with new buildings. He returned to Topeka at Christ the King and then was reassigned to Queen of the Holy Rosary in Overland Park, Kansas. He was serving at Holy Trinity parish in Paola at the time of his death.
Pete was a straight shooter. He enjoyed a good Cabernet or an IPA. A lifelong athlete, he discovered golf as an adult and became hooked. He is a former marathon runner and took to walking after a knee injury. He loved cooking and smoking meat, trying out his own recipes on the family at holiday gatherings- some with more success than others. Pete liked a good game of trivia and was known to spout off events that happened on a particular date years ago. His family provided the source of many of his sermons and they ask that you remember that Pete had the gift of blarney. Pete could not sit still and was always on the move. He was known to be a big fan of whatever team KU happened to be playing. His collection of jerseys and hats is renowned.
He ministered to a group of nuns originally from Mexico at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison and was able to travel with them on a pilgrimage to Mexico. While in Emporia, Pete convinced their Mother Superior to send some sisters to minister to the large Hispanic community there. Pete could communicate with his Spanish-speaking parishioners and was also fluent in sign language. A true Irish Catholic, he was fortunate to go to Ireland on a family trip where he visited the town where his grandfather was born. He always carried a rosary in his pocket. “I’ll tell ya what” - he was one of the good ones.
Pete is survived by his siblings, Janet (Dennis) Cawley, Margaret O’Sullivan, and James (Kathy) O’Sullivan and their progeny, Debbie Moeller, Carolyn Cawley, Michelle (Chris) Masoner, Jennifer Cawley, Meredith (Chris) Mays, James P. O’Sullivan, Remi, Mack and Hollis Moeller, James, Paul and Maggie Masoner and Giles and Fiona Mays.
All services will be at his home parish of St. Joseph Church, 11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee Kansas 66203.
A Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM followed by a visitation till 8 pm on Sunday, October 17.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am on Monday, October 18.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests the following charities: Pete was a champion of Catholic education, please consider a donation to one of the following schools where he taught or where his nieces and grand-nieces and nephews attended or are attending: Bishop Miege High School, bishopmiege.com, Bishop Ward, wardhigh.org, Maur Hill Academy, mh-ma.com, Bishop Ward High School, wardhigh.org, and Hayden Catholic High School, haydencatholic.org.
In addition, Pete strongly supported the nuns of Missioneras Guadalupanas de Cristo Rey. Donations can be mailed to them at 205 S Lawrence St, Emporia, KS 66801
May God rest his soul and may perpetual light shine upon him.