Richard Joseph Hopkins' Obituary
Most Reverend Father Richard J. Hopkins, passed away August 22, 2017 in San Diego, California. born on May 26, 1919 in Billings, Montana. In 1941 Father Hopkins graduated from Mount Angel College Seminary in Oregon, his ordination to the priesthood on June 3, 1944 at St. Ann’s Cathedral in Great Falls. The following day he celebrated his first Mass June 4, 1944. Father Hopkins traveled extensively worldwide during his 65 years in the priesthood from Great Falls, Rome, the Holy Land and Wales( his father’s ancestry) to name a few. He retired in 1989 at the age of 70 and spent some time at Our Lady of the Valley parish in Hemet, St. Justine the Martyr in Anaheim and Glendive, Montana before coming to Our Mother of Confidence. Father Hopkins was welcomed by Msgr. Donal Sheahan and the parishioners of Our Mother of Confidence in 1994 and has spent his last 20 years at this parish. In 2009 Msgr Sheahan and the parishioners of Our Mother of Confidence provided a wonderful reception for Father Hopkins 90th birthday and 65 years as a priest. In 2011, he had a hearty welcome for Msgrs. Mark Campbell and Tom Prendergast to Our Mother of Confidence Parish. Father Hopkins will be greatly missed by his family, friends and parishioners of Our Mother of Confidence.
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