P.P., P.H.

“He threw many of us a life line when we needed it”

As a child, Monsignor Jim Doody the son of Casimer Doody and Sarah Byrne of Mosquito, Colinet Island, S.M.B, helped his father in the fishery, and as a teenager he had his own fishing boat. For the last sixty-five years, he has been what the scriptures describes as a “fisher of people.” Monsignor Jim Doody, age 92 years, set sail from this place on July 3, 2018, and thus he has secured his berth in the final port of call. James Joseph Doody was born on December 1, 1925. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. John’s on June 21, 1953. As a ‘fisher of people’ he held a number of Pastoral and Administrative Appointments: St. Joseph’s Parish, St. John’s; Holy Apostles Parish, Renews; St. Kyran’s, Bar Haven, Oderin, and Merasheen Parishes; Oderin Parish; Monsefu, Peru Parish; Sacred Heart Parish, St. Mary’s; Sacred Heart Parish, Placentia; Ministry to Priest’s Program, St. Joseph’s Parish, St. John’s; and his final and longest serving ministry was St. Patrick’s Parish, St. John’s and St. John Bosco Parish, Shea Height’s (1986-2010). In December 1994, Pope John Paul II designated him as a Prelate of Honor (PH) with the lifetime title of Monsignor. It is recognition by the Vatican and Pope of special service rendered to the Church. He retired from active ministry in June 2010, taking up residence at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home in 2012. He leaves to mourn: Archbishop Martin Currie, Brother Priests, Religious Sisters and Christian Brothers, his sister Etta Conway residing in Corner Brook, nieces and nephews, his special friend and caregiver Brenda King and family, the Staff, Sisters and Volunteers at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home and all who cared so well for him. Visitation at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home Chapel on Wednesday, July 4th, 3-5 pm; Caul's Funeral Home, LeMarchant Road, Wednesday, July 4th, 7-9 pm and Thursday, July 5th, 10 am - 5 pm; St. Patrick’s Church, Patrick Street, Thursday, July 5th, 6-9 pm.; with Vigil Service at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, July 6th at 11 am St. Patrick’s Church. Interment to follow in the priests’ plot at Belvedere Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the building fund in your home parish. His boat of life was filled to the brim with family and friends. He took many of us in when our boats capsized, and he threw many of us a life line when we needed it. In life, he knew at times what it was like to be adrift but always found his way back to the harbour where he laid anchor with us and we are all so very grateful.