Brother Paschal Doherty C.Ss.R. Biography
Brother Paschal was born on the 18th October 1932 in Derry, Northern Ireland. In family circles he was known as Patrick and in Redemptorist’s circles he was known as Paschal. As a young man, he completed his apprenticeship as a Joiner before joining the Redemptorists in the early 50’s. He spent his novitiate years in St. Joseph’s Dundalk and he was professed as a brother on the 11th February 1957.
In his early years he lived in the communities of Clonard and Limerick Retreat house and in 1966 he was appointed to the Redemptorist Mission in Brazil. His arrival in Brazil coincided with the nomination of his Redemptorist confrere, James Collins, to be the first bishop of the diocese of Miracema. Paschal went with the new bishop to Miracema and they worked together for over thirty years. As it was a new diocese, they built it up not only in the sense of building churches and community centres, but also funding new parishes and communities throughout a huge geographical area.
Brother Paschal returned to Ireland in 1998 and was a member of the community in Esker until 2005 when he moved to St.Joseph’s Dundalk. Always a diligent worker in whatever tasks were assigned to him, he also had a love of gardening, a hobby he enjoyed for many years.
His health failed in recent years, but he fought a good fight to the end. He died peacefully surrounded by some of his confreres and carers. He was a kind and gentle person held in high regard by his Redemptorist confreres and those who knew him at St. Joseph’s and will be greatly missed by them.
Well done good and faithful servant, may you Rest in Peace.
