Creighton University

Having entered the Society of Jesus in 1967 from his native Omaha, Nebraska, Roc O'Connor, S. J. completed his course of studies and ministerial preparation at St. Louis University (1973) at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, CA. (1983). He was ordained in 1979 and has since served at St. Madeleine Sophie parish, Bellevue, WA. (1980-1983), SS. Peter & Paul parish, Mankato, MN. (1983-1985), Gesu parish, Milwaukee, WI.(1985-1988), the Jesuit Novitiate, St. Paul, MN.(1988-1991), part time at St. Ann, Boston, MA. (1991-1993), and as associate pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Paul, MN. (1993-1999). In 1993 he graduated from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology with Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) focusing on Biblical Theology. More recently, Roc served as the Associate Catholic Chaplain at Macalester College between 1993 and 1999 where he help found the now famous Cigar Club. In 1999 he began the M. A. in Liturgical Studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Currently Roc teaches theology at Creighton University and consults on liturgical matters for St. John's parish, Omaha.During his studies and ministry (1973-the present), Roc collaborated with several other Jesuits composing, recording, and publishing liturgical music for the Mass. The St. Louis Jesuits have published over 150 songs in 7 recordings (1973-2005). Roc himself has since published two collections, Rise Up in Splendor: Music for Children that Adults Can Sing (1987), and Behold the Glory of God: Music for the Easter Vigil (1992). in 2006, he and his fellow St. Louis Jesuits received Honorary Doctorates of Music from Creighton University.