John O'Donohue, Irish author, poet and a regular speaker at the Religious Education Conference in Anaheim, died suddenly Jan. 4 at age 53 while on holiday in France.

Funeral Mass and burial took place Jan. 12 Fanore Church, near Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland. A Memorial Mass will take place Jan. 21, 1 p.m. at the Motherhouse Chapel of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, 480 S. Batavia Street, Orange.

From 1999 to 2006, O'Donohue was an annual presenter at the Religious Education Conference at the Anaheim Convention Center, frequently in the Arena to accommodate those wishing to hear him speak. He was scheduled to make two presentations at the 2008 conference (Feb. 28-March 2); suitable substitute presenters are being considered for his slots, said Sister Edith Prendergast, director of the Office of Religious Education.

O'Donohue also was a featured speaker at Concern America fundraisers in Southern California, helping to raise thousands of dollars for the organization.

The author of "Anam Cara," a best seller published in England in 1997 and later in the U.S., O'Donohue also authored "Eternal Echoes," "Beauty, The Invisible Embrace" and most recently "Benedictus: A Book of Blessings." He wrote two books of poetry and a book in German.

His doctoral thesis was completed in Germany on the German philosophy of Georg Friedrich Hegel. He was recognized as an expert on Meister Johannes Eckhart.

O'Donohue is survived by his mother Josie, brothers P.J. and Pat and sister Mary.