MSGR. JOHN F. SAMMON
Knights of Columbus
Orange County Chapter Chaplain
1971 - 24 NOV. 06
Orange, California 92866

Over the years, Msgr. John F. Sammon has touched countless lives with his loving dedication to our Lord and His people, through selfless dedication to his ministry and Holy Catholic Church.

Msgr. Sammon is a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, born 10 Dec 1915.  He is a proud graduate of Holy Cross College (1935-38), a Jesuit college in Worcester, MA, and a Seminarian of St. Mary’s Seminary (1938-42).  He was ordained in 1942.

Msgr. Sammon’s first assignment in California was at Our Lady of Victory in Compton (1942-44), followed by service at St. Gregory Los Angeles (1944-54), St. Vibiana Cathedral Los Angeles (1954-55), St. Monica Santa Monica (1955-60).  In the years before the establishment of the Diocese of Orange, he served as Chaplain to the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments and held the same office for the City of Santa Monica’s Police and Fire Fighters.  

He transferred in 1960 and served as pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Tustin until 1976, at which time the new Diocese of Orange was established.  Msgr. Sammon was appointed the first Vicar for the Pastoral and Community Affairs of the Orange Diocese, and he still serves in that capacity at the Diocesan Office in Marywood.

This dedicated Priest is known for his kindness and generous spirit that characterizes the work of this great man, by way of his support, commitment, and intense involvement with religious and civic organizations like First Friday Friars, the Serra Club, the Conference of Christians and Jews, the Orange County Police and Firefighters Association, and the Knights of Columbus.

Msgr. Sammon became a Knights of Columbus in May of 1943, and when the Orange County Chapter of the Knights of Columbus was formed in 1971, Msgr. Sammon was appointed as the Charter Chaplain of the Chapter, in which capacity he has served from 1971 to the present.  Msgr. Sammon became a Fourth Degree Knight in July of 1985.

The Knights of Columbus in Orange County are what they are today because of the focus, perspective, guidance, and encouragement given them by this Blessed Priest during those times when the precepts of charity, unity, and fraternity were obscured by lesser ideals and distractions.  Monsignor Sammon, as Chaplain, has been the pillar in our Chapter promoting "Unity" for all the Councils in Orange County.  In his own words: "...We must realize the necessity of always working together in strong unity.  Hopefully, all Councils will consider an active partnership in making our Chapter a strong, active, fraternal 'United' K of C family, publicly expressing unity through meetings with all Councils participating and planning important K of C activities.  We can be proud of our history in the Diocese, but much remains to be accomplished. Let's not just talk fraternity, unity and charity, but let's really live it! ...."

In the words of Bishop Brown “We are truly blessed to have a priest of such depth, skills, and conviction as Msgr. Sammon.  His relationship with his parishioners and the special communities he has ministered to throughout his career, make him unique and appreciated by many.”