Father Patrick J. O’Kane, pastor of St. John Parish in Onawa, St. Joseph Parish in Salix and St. Bernard Parish in Blencoe, will take a medical disability leave of absence.

Born in Sibley and raised in Le Mars and Pocahontas, he attended Savior of the World Seminary in Kansas City, Kan.; St. Thomas College Seminary, Denver and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis. He earned a master’s in education from Creighton University and completed additional studies at University of Dayton.

He was ordained on June 4, 1977, at St. Joseph Church in Le Mars.

Father O’Kane has served at Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City; Bishop Heelan High School; St. John the Baptist Parish and High School, Bancroft; St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Maple River; Kuemper High School; St. Joseph Parish and Spalding Catholic High School, Granville; St. Joseph Parish, Milford; Sacred Heart Parish, Early; St. Joseph Parish, Schaller and St. Mary’s High School, Storm Lake. He has also served at the diocesan superintendent of schools and as chaplain for the Carmelite Monastery in Sioux City.