Michael J Cunningham was born on July 30. He had an older brother, Tony. For his secondary education, Michael first attended Thornleigh Salesian College for two years, and then moved on to the Salesian Missionary College, Shrigley. He entered the Novitiate at Burwash in 1963 and was professed the following year. After three years of study in Beckford, he obtained his BA as an external student at London University, and then he did a year's practical training in Chertsey and a second year in Shrigley. After a further year in Beckford, he went for his theological studies with Bemard Parkes to Upholland College, with Thornleigh as their Salesian base. This local choice rather than studies abroad was occasioned by the fragile health of his parents. After completing his theological studies, Michael was ordained to the priesthood at Thornleigh. Whereas most new priests had a scriptural quotation on their ordination cards, Michael had a quote from Dan Berrigan, the American civil rights activist priest. By then he had become very interested in justice issues and in politics, an interest which remained throughout his life. At this time, he became involved in the Movement for a Better World, an organisation dedicated to renewal after Vatican II. Michael then took up a post as teacher in Bootle for fourteen years, mainly of RE. During that time, he obtained a M.Ed. degree. He became Rector of that community in 1988, and for two years was Vice-provincial, before himself becoming Provincial in 1992, based in Stockport.

Of the many aspects of his provincial years, one significant venture was the beginning of the process to establish a better quality of care for the elderly members of the Province, and he established a team to discern the way forward, a discernment which later led to the communities at St Joseph's and in Fanborough. He also set up a planning office. After finishing as Provincial in 1998, Michael moved to Bolton as Rector for six years, before returning to Bootle as a member of the community. It was during this time that he developed his career as a writer, producing eight books on aspects of Christian spirituality. One significant theme was the transforming merey of God. He also became involved in a centre for asylum seekers in the city, Asylum Link, Merseyside. He is remembered there for his great kindness and patience. For many years Michael was engaged in the ministry of retreat preaching, which included visits to the Salesians in Ireland, the United States and Australia. He was also in demand for retreats to sisters at home and abroad. He was appointed Rector of the Bootle community in 2015, and continued in that role until his health started to fail and dementia began to set in. During these years he was particularly attentive to the spiritual needs of the FMA in Croxteth and Blundellsands. Eventually, he had to move to Bolton St Joseph's, and finally to Nazareth House, Prestwich, where he went to the Lord on October 16, 2021.

His Requiem Mass was celebrated on October 30, 2021, at Thornleigh College Chapel, after which Michael was buried in the Salesian graves at Astley Bridge Cemetery.

Throughout his long life he remained a staunch supporter of Bolton Wanderers Football Club, through many ups and downs, usually attending games with his brother. Michael had a great sense of humour and was a wonderful raconteur, with so many stories, often based on his experiences with the young people in Bootle. Yet he was quite shy by nature and had a serious and contemplative side. One of Michael's key qualities was his commitment to disadvantaged young people and people who were struggling for justice, those on the margins. Many people have commented on his kindness and approachability, a true son of Don Bosco. Throughout the twists and turns of his life, Michael's basic option was to follow the Lord in Don Bosco's way.

We can pray with the writer of the letter to the Ephesian community that now Michael may comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge and may be filled with the fullness of our God. It is with sadness mingled with gratitude for his life amongst us, then, that we commit him to Lordbhe served so generously and faithfully.

Michael T Winstanley SDB