• "The day is done, its hours have run, and thou hast taken count of all" were the words sung at the funeral of Fr Peter Dooley, who died on April 13th 2018. Indeed, Peter's days and hours lasted for 87 years, but now he has passed over in peace to his Lord. Peter was born June 27th 1931, in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, to Brian and Ellen Dooley. He was the eldest of six children. Two of his sisters became religious; one of whom, Bernadette, was present at the funeral with his two brothers, Hugh and Bernie; Ellie, his other sister is based in Australia. His married sister, Maureen, died in 2013, and on his way back from the funeral Peter suffered an almost fatal heart attack in Dublin Airport. Maureen's children Anne, Mhaire, Helen and Pat, along with their cousins, Mary Ellen, and Mary and John Summers, also attended the funeral.

• Peter's secondary education took place in the Salesian College, Pallaskenry, from where in August 1951 he went to the Novitiate in Burwash, England, where he made his profession on September 8th 1952. He then pursued his philosophical studies for two years in the recently opened Savio House.

• I first met Peter in 1954. I'd left Thornleigh for Shrigley, and Peter had begun his 3 years of practical training in Bolton. I came back for some event, prize night I think, and he welcomed me with a smile. I was struck even then by his kindness and gentleness, qualities which we have all come to know well.

• After this Peter went to Melchet Court for his theological studies and was ordained a priest on July 2nd 1961. One comment of his rector at the time states: "A good student, cheerful, obliging, sociable and enterprising." He then did a further year of theology in Rome, obtaining an STL degree, after which he was assigned to the Novitiate in Burwash as assistant to the novices for a year, before returning to Bolton to teach.

• He returned to Ireland to study for a BA degree {1966-69), before spending seven years as a teacher in Bootle, where he was also vice-rector. In 1976 he was asked to be rector of the Salesian Missionary College, Shrigley. When I was rector in Ushaw, our community used to come to Shrigley for our Christmas holidays, and Peter, who was rector there at the time, always welcomed us warmly and was anxious to make sure that we had what we needed and more besides. I don't think his task was easy in Shrigley in those days, as the College was moving towards closure, and he didn't enjoy the best of health.

• Peter then moved to Cowley, Oxford, as Parish Priest and Rector. During my first stint as provincial I visited Cowley quite frequently. A new facet which I then became aware of was his deep spirituality. By then he was involved in the charismatic movement, and there was an active prayer group in the parish, and Peter was known for his prayerfulness and healing ministry. It is clear that he was deeply appreciated and loved by the people of the parish, some of whom made the journey to Bolton to attend his funeral; he was their friend, their guide and support, and the same was true for the Salesian Co-operators.

• After 13 years Peter moved to our parish in Edinburgh as assistant priest, and then, five years later, to St Dominic's, Huyton, where he fulfilled a similar role for another 13 years. Again the people loved him; he was so kind and available and friendly and helpful to anyone in need. It was in Huyton that he and Fr George were ushered into the cupboard under the stairs by burglars, quite an adventure!

• Finally, in 2013, as his health deteriorated, Peter came back to Bolton St Joseph's, where, as rector of the community, I met him frequently. He had become deaf, and had trouble with asthma, and gradually found it difficult to walk without a stick. I was struck by his patience, gentle humour, and acceptance of the difficulties which accompany the ageing process. Eventually, it became necessary for Peter to go to the nursing home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Manchester, who offered him a newly refurbished room. After only two and a half weeks, however, in the early morning of April 13th, Jesus came to take him home to the Father's house.

• We thank God for Peter's life among us and his Salesian ministry, an excellent teacher, a wonderful deeply spiritual pastor, a guide and inspiration for many. May he rest in peace.

Fr Michael T Winstanley SDB