Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Very Rev Monsignor Patrick Joseph Doyle, died 27 Aug 2000

Patrick Joseph Doyle was born in Warwick on 24th April, 1924, the eldest of four children to Denis John Doyle and Rose Ann (Tess) Ryan. His early education took place at Clintonvale School. With his brother Barry, he would ride a pony to school each day, after milking the cows and doing other farm life tasks. His secondary education was completed with the Christian Brothers at St Joseph's in Warwick. Upon leaving school he worked at the SGIO Office and in 1945 he entered Pius XII Seminary at Banyo for his priestly studies and was ordained from St Mary's, Warwick on 30th June, 1952, by Bishop Basil Roper. His first appointment was a brief one at Holy Name in 1953 followed by Chinchilla (1953-55) and then St Patrick's Cathedral as Assistant under the guidance of Father Joe Skelly (1955) and later under Dean McCormack, before taking his place as Administrator there in 1969. His outstanding administrative abilities and entrepreneurial qualities were of immense value to the Diocese and the Cathedral. Bishop Brennan had a strong desire to renovate and update his Cathedral, and in Father Doyle he found an excellent deputy who embarked on the massive upgrade program in the mid 1970s. The extensive renovations, both interior and exterior, restored St Patrick's to a place of great beauty. Following his work at the Cathedral, he was appointed as Parish Priest to the Toowoomba Parish of St Theresa's Harlaxton in 1978, following the retirement of Monsignor McCormack. During his time at St Theresa's he received the Office of Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor on 15th January, 1981. He was also given Rotary's highest award being made a Paul Harris Fellow. His great skills were still evident with the building of the James Byrne Centre at Highfields over a period of seven years. The Centre is one of the finest around this part of the country and the buildings are beautifully planned and placed. St Theresa's Parish itself also received attention. The Church in Jellicoe Street was completely remodelled and the old presbytery replaced by a new brick building on the same site as the Church. With the growing demands of a lively parish, Monsignor Doyle put in place the future planning for St Theresa's with the development of the magnificent Parish Centre at the corner of Curzon and Mackenzie Streets. He reluctantly resigned from the position of Active Parish Priest due to ill-health on 30th October, 1998. Mons Doyle made valuable contributions to the Diocese via his positions on the Diocesan Finance and Personnel Boards and Mater Dei honoured his work with the opening of new classrooms in 2000 named in his honour. Although today we see his talents in bricks and mortar, Mons Doyle's greatest talents lay in his ability for building within the Church itself. People of many races, religions, educational and social backgrounds found within him a selfless, and loving warmth. With enthusiasm, he embarked on a programme for "Inactive Catholics" that put into practice officially what he did throughout his life as a Priest unofficially. He had a mind like a steel trap, enclosed in a benign, grandfatherly manner. Those who did not know him were often deceived by his mild demeanour, until they looked into those darting, laughing eyes. It was then they would recall the precision of his questions, and the gentle guile behind them. He had a childlike capacity for wonder and amazement, a gentle sense of humour and an intellectual's thirst for knowledge. He had a strong closeness for family - and for him, every person he met also became "family". More than 1500 people swelled the gathering at St Patrick's Cathedral to farewell Mons Doyle. The near two-hour long funeral Mass led by Bishop Morris, and more than 50 fellow priests, included many moving tributes, and was one of the largest Requiem Masses in the city's history. He is greatly missed and fondly remembered for his love, affection, compassion and wisdom. Monsignor Doyle is buried in the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance.
(Ref Archives, Clerical CV and Family)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.