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Marian Catholic celebrates chaplain’s 90th birthday

When Father William O’Mara turned 90 years old Feb. 7, he had a school full of students and coworkers to celebrate with him. O’Mara, who was ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1958, has served as chaplain at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights for the past 13 years, celebrating school Masses, attending about a half dozen Kairos retreats with seniors each year and going to sports events, concerts and plays. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Marian Catholic High School Principal Steve Tortorello talks with Father William O'Mara prior to the Feb. 16, 2022, boys basketball game against DePaul Prep. The Chicago Heights school honored O'Mara, who celebrated his 90th birthday Feb. 7.(Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father William O'Mara, standing between Marian Catholic High School President Vince Krydynski (class of 1981, left) and Principal Steve Tortorello (class of 2004), waves to the crowd before being honored at the Feb. 16, 2022 boys basketball game against DePaul Prep. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Principal Steve Tortorello presents Father William O'Mara with the game ball prior to the boys basketball game against DePaul Prep Feb. 16, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father William O'Mara was named an honorary coach for Marian Catholic High School's Feb. 16, 2022, boys basketball game against DePaul Prep as part of the school's celebration of his 90th birthday. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A tribute to Father William O'Mara ran on the scoreboard at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights before the Feb. 16, 2022, boys basketball game. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A banner marks the "official seat" of Father William O'Mara in Marian Catholic High School's gym on Feb. 16, 2022. He wasn't sitting there that night because he was on the bench, serving as an honorary coach. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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