Fr Michael Edward Doherty

Michael Doherty was born on October 13 1934,  son of Kevin and Monica, nee Mulvihill, and brother of Rosemary, Patricia and Paul.

His primary education was at the Convent of Mercy School at Parkside and then at Christian Brothers College, Wakefield Street, Adelaide. Michael was good friends with his cousin Rob Egar, they spent a lot of time together, both went to CBC, Rob entered the Seminary in 1951 and Michael followed a year later.

At the end of his secondary studies he entered St Francis Xavier Seminary at Rostrevor in 1952 to commence his studies for the priesthood. Then in 1954 he was selected to complete his studies in Rome. He was ordained in Rome in the chapel of Propaganda College on December 21 1957 – along with 63 classmates from 22 countries. Michael's parents were present at his ordination – and then he stayed a further six months before returning to Australia. He celebrated his first Mass back home in St Raphael’s Church, Parkside, where he had been baptised and received first Holy Communion.

Appointments

Fr Doherty’s first posting on October 28 was as Assistant Priest in Woodville Parish. It was a “huge parish” with six churches and five schools and he later paid tribute to the parish priest Monsignor Bill Russell who guided him for 12 years. Being able to speak Italian was a great asset in a parish where there were many migrants.

Michael was very attached to his family, so on most Mondays, he relaxed at the family home, enjoying his mother’s beautiful meals, sharing quality time with his sisters Rosemary and Pat and having his siesta, a practice he had developed in Rome and continued for the rest of his life.

From Woodville Michael moved to Pinnaroo in January 1970 where he stayed for nearly two years and then he went to Stirling in November 1971.

While at Stirling in February 1973 Fr Michael was elected as a member of the Senate of Priests and also a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council as the Senate representative for 1973/74.

In May 1976 Fr Michael took long service leave plus a month's holiday to travel. During this time he visited Rome with his sister Pat and during an audience with Pope Benedict XVI he proudly presented Pat to his holiness.

In April 1983 at the conclusion of his term as Parish Priest at Stirling Fr Michael was given approval to spend three months at the St Peter's Centre for Renewal in Canberra. On his return he went to Strathalbyn.

Unfortunately Michael experienced some stressful and challenging times during his priesthood and endured episodes of poor mental health, at which times he sought the comfort and nurturing of his priestly community and family, as well as some excellent health professionals.

In January 1987 due to his ill health he left Strathalbyn and moved to Tranmere as assistant priest. A year later he moved to Hectorville, again as assistant priest. However he was still troubled with ill health and went to reside at the Archbishop's House at West Terrace, and assisting when able in the Cathedral parish. He also spent some time as Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies Office.

Looking back on ministry as a priest, he later claimed that his time at the Cathedral where he was able to hear the confessions of so many people was one of the significant periods of his ministry. He stated: “My experience of many hours of confessions in the Cathedral was probably the highlight of my 60 years of ministry.”

With his health much improved in May 1999 Fr Michael was appointed Parish Priest of Virginia/Two Wells, where he remained until his retirement in January 2010.

While at Virginia, unfortunately he was the victim of a robbery – he was assaulted, robbed and bound by intruders who stole a chalice and ciborium from the tabernacle that they had forced him to open and then stole his car, which they later destroyed.

When he was 75 Michael ‘retired’ in 2010 and took up residence in Murphy Villa, but he continued to celebrate Mass each Sunday at St Ann’s Chapel, Marion for several years. He also served as chaplain to the residents of the Southern Cross Aged Care hostel on Marion Road. Many members of that congregation joined his family and friends to celebrate his diamond jubilee Mass at the Church of St John the Baptist on December 22 2017.

Michael was very happy when his friend and cousin Mgr Rob Egar come to join him in living at Villa Murphy.

After nearly 13 years at Murphy Villa failing health led to his transfer to The Pines Southern Cross Nursing Home at North Plympton where he had served as chaplain for many years. And after a short stay in the Royal Adelaide Hospital he died peacefully on November 18 2023.

Michael's concelebrated Funeral Mass was celebrated in St Raphael's Church on November 28 at Parkside where Michael was baptised and received the early Sacraments. Principal Celebrant was Archbishop Wilson, the eulogy was delivered by Michael's cousin Fr Tony Egar CP and his brother Paul provided some words of remembrance.     

 His mortal remains were interred at Centennial Park Cemetery in the same grave as his mother.

May he rest in peace.