Diamond anniversary for couple whose love and kindness have shaped a Leeds parish

Patrick and Margaret Dooley celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, six decades after they were married on January 29, 1966, at St Patrick’s Church, Broomfield, in Donaghmoyne, Co Monaghan, Ireland.

On the day they married, the couple travelled to Leeds, staying with Patrick’s uncle, John Dooley, and his family, before making their own home in Woodhouse.

Over the years, they have made many friends, whom they count as part of their “extended Dooley family”.

Their milestone anniversary was marked in Leeds with a weekend of celebrations, beginning with a Mass devoted to them at Holy Family Church, followed by a gathering of family and friends the following day.

The Vigil Mass for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time was offered by Parish Priest Fr Neil Byrne, joined at the altar by Canon John Nunan, a long-standing friend of the Dooley family.

In his homily, Fr Neil reflected on the day’s readings and their message of hope, joy and light, before speaking about the couple’s long and faithful marriage.

He said: “Sixty years of marriage is a remarkable witness of love rooted in faith and love that has endured joys and sorrows, moments of light and times of shadow.”

At the end of Mass, Patrick and Margaret were surprised with a Papal Blessing from Pope Leo XIV, sent from Rome by Cardinal Arthur Roche.

The blessing added to messages of congratulations they had already received from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Fr Neil also announced that Bishop Marcus had awarded Patrick and Margaret the Gold Medal of the Diocese of Leeds, ‘for prayerful and devoted service’ to the diocese.

Born in Ireland, Patrick and Margaret settled in Leeds in 1966.

They lived for many years in the parish of Leeds Cathedral (St Anne’s) with their children Louise and Patrick, before moving to West Leeds in the early 2000s.

For more than 40 years, they have served the Diocese of Leeds at parish and diocesan level.

In 1988 they began working as housekeepers at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre at Myddelton Lodge, near Ilkley, remaining there until its closure in 2000.

In 2004, when Cardinal Roche became Bishop of Leeds, they were invited to serve at Bishop’s House, where they remained until the spring of 2015, caring for the day-to-day running of the house and garden for Bishop Roche and his successor, Bishop Marcus.

While some of their work was carried out as diocesan employees, much of it was given freely.

Even in retirement, their support continues.

Fr Neil said: “Even now, in parish life, they continue to be a great support to me in countless ways as their parish Priest.

“Their practical help, encouragement, availability, and quiet concern for the life of the parish are deeply appreciated and reflect the same spirit of generosity that has marked their service over the years”.