Services held for Br. Urban Naal, veteran educator
Funeral Mass was held Feb. 7 at the Marianist Center in Cupertino for Marianist Brother Urban Naal, 81, who died Jan. 30. A longtime educator who taught for many years at Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, he cantored for several years at American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach and was also renowned for his travel photographs and magazine articles on theology and education.

Born in Chicago, he attended formation meetings for the Servites in his sophomore year at St. Philip High School but left the program after realizing he did not have a vocation for the priesthood. He later worked at a clothing store, radio shop, the "Chicago Tribune" and for his father as an electrical contractor before being introduced to the Marianists by friends.

At age 21, Brother Naal entered the Marianist novitiate in Galesville, Wisconsin. He earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1951 from the University of Dayton and made perpetual vows in 1955. He later received a master's degree in education from Marquette University in Wisconsin and a master's degree in history from DePaul University in Chicago.

Brother Naal served for almost 45 years as a teacher of history and social studies. He spent the last 15 years of his teaching career at schools in California, including Covallis High in Studio City, St. Mary's Academy in Inglewood, and Junipero Serra. He strived to make the classroom an "experience" and was known for his experimentation on behalf of better curriculum and teaching methods.

Brother Naal became a world traveler so he could provide photographs and firsthand accounts of foreign countries to his students. He financed his travels by earning three Fulbright grants and grants from the national Science Foundation, National Defense Education Act and the Kettering Foundation.

He visited 35 countries, including India, Japan, Israel, Russia and Australia to research classroom material and take photographs. Several of his photos were made into commercial filmstrips for classrooms, some of which are still in use today on video. Brother Naal also developed a social studies program that received high marks from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

For a number of years, he was the early morning cantor at American Martyrs Church. "I have never seen greater respect and esteem for one of our men than what the American Martyrs parishioners showed for Urban," said Father Ted Ley, who lived in community with Brother Naal. "He was truly dedicated to the Society of Mary and to Catholic education."

Burial was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Marianist Center, 22683 Alcalde Road, Cupertino, CA 95014.

Sr. Bridget Johnston, DMJ
Funeral Mass was held Feb. 2 at St. John Fisher Church in Rancho Palos Verdes for Daughters of Mary and Joseph Sister Bridget Johnston, who died Jan. 21 at Nazareth House in Culver City.

A native of Ireland, her life was characterized by a zest for living, deep friendships and a passion for poetry and music. She was a gifted Scripture scholar and teacher and served as formation director for the DMJ community as well as a professor of Scripture for seminarians at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park.

For a time, she ministered at the Mission Parish in San Luis Obispo and also served at the Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes. Her final ministry before retirement in 2002 was serving in RCIA formation and teaching Scripture classes at St. John Fisher.

Memorials may be made in Sister's name to the Daughters of Mary and Joseph Retirement Fund, 5300 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.

Patricia O'Neil
A Funeral Mass was held Feb. 12 at Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose for Patricia O'Neil, 93, who died Feb. 6. She was the mother of the late Auxiliary Bishop Dennis O'Neil of San Bernardino, a former priest and pastor of the L.A. Archdiocese. Family survivors include seven of her 10 children, 37 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.