Msgr. Johnson dies at 82

October 7, 2019

Msgr. Oliver F. Johnson, a Catholic priest for 57 years, died Oct. 7, 2019 in Austin at the age of 82 . He was born Jan. 10, 1937 in Carlow, Ireland to Michael and Mary (Malone) Johnson. He received his education from the Irish Christian Brothers at Carlow and completed his studies at St. Patrick’s Seminary.

Msgr. Johnson was ordained for the Diocese of Southwork in Ireland on June 9, 1962. He had served in Ireland and England as well as in the missions of South America with the Irish Columban Fathers. He came to the Diocese of Austin in 1968 and was incardinated in 1970. In the Diocese of Austin, he served in the parishes of St. Mary of the Assumption in West, St. Mary in Taylor, St. Louis King of France in Austin, St. Luke in Temple, Christ the King in Belton, and was the founding pastor of St. Catherine of Siena in Austin, from which he retired in 2008. He was also director of the Diocesan Family Life Program, was a member of the diocesan Senate, Priests’ Personnel Committee and the Committee for Continuing Education of Priests. In 2001 he received the title of “Chaplain to His Holiness” by Pope John Paul II.

Msgr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Renee and his brothers Michael, Donal, Patrick, Harry, Clarence and Sean. Visitation will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 4800 Convict Hill Rd., Austin on Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m.; Vigil and Rosary follows at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 W. William Cannon Dr., Austin. Reception will follow the internment at St. Catherine of Siena. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.