Dignitaries in town for O'Keeffe's anniversary

At different times there was mariachi music, gospel music and Irish music playing as a representation of all the cultures that Monsignor Richard O’Keeffe said he serves.

State politicians, county officials, Yuma County Interfaith service members and Yuma locals gathered together at the Yuma Civic Center to pay tribute to Monsignor O’Keeffe, who marked his nearly 50 years of priesthood with the Catholic Church and to also help raise funds to continue the work of Yuma County Interfaith.

More than 400 people attended the reception and dinner.

“Tonight is a very special night for all of the people of Yuma, all the little people of Yuma,” O’Keeffe said. “People without a voice because this is the first time that they’ve been invited to really mingle with some of the political entities of this state.”

“That’s important, it's very important.”

Among the many state officials who attended the event were Gov. Janet Napolitano, Attorney General Terry Goddard, Congressman Raul Grijalva, D-Yuma, and Pinal County Attorney James P. Walsh.

Napolitano applauded O'Keeffe's accomplishments that have benefitted the state, in particularly Yuma.

"It is exciting to be here and wonderful to be back in Yuma," Napolitano said. "It is exciting to be here to celebrate Monsignor O'Keeffe who has been a major presence in Yuma and in Arizona."

Napolitano said for the past several years he has been an indispensable member of the governor's military affairs commission, making sure that Arizona is tending to the material and spiritual needs of those serving the military. She said he also concerns himself with veterans as well.

"He has ensured that those (who) are serving us are getting what they need in return," Napolitano said. "He works tirelessly for those on behalf of the underserved and those without a voice."

Goddard said he has known O'Keeffe since 1960.

"He's an irrepressible force in Arizona," Goddard said. "I've known him personally since he was a parish priest in San Manuel."

"He was a major force for registering people (to vote) in that area," Goddard said.

Grijalva said he first met him when O'Keeffe was a priest in Tucson.

"He always made a connection between the spiritual and the community to unite," Grijalva said. "Growing up as a young man I think that is very important."

"He seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel," Grijalva said.

Yuma County Interfaith is a 501(c)4 nonprofit. The structure enables the organization to engage in legislative and political activities, unlike 501(c)3 nonprofit status, which prohibits political activities, according the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Web site.


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Stephanie Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@yumasun.com or 539-6847.