Canon Eugene Dolan

Fr. Dolan was born in Aghyaran, County Tyrone and studied for the priesthood at All Hallows Seminary in Dublin. He was ordained on 17th June 1962, along with forty-three other priests. He enjoyed eight years in Salford before coming, albeit with some reluctance, to St. Edward's with the title "Vicarious Co-Adjutor" (curate) on 10th June 1970. He was appointed parish priest in the summer of 1974 and in 1995 was appointed one of only ten Canons in the Salford Diocese. Before Fr. Dolan's arrival, the parish had been unsettled and in some disarray for many years; under his stewardship it has developed into a lively and healthy parish.

A continuing feature of Fr. Dolan's ministry is his desire to encourage everyone to "get involved" whether it is by providing refreshments after Mass, planning and building a new church, repairing and refurbishing the old building to provide a parish centre, forming new parish groups, reading at Mass or supporting any of the varied activities the parish offers. We are particularly encouraged to become involved in projects to help the underprivileged, both here and in the "Third World" (Our Justice & Peace groups have an enviable record in this respect) and to be aware of what it means to belong to a Christian community.

The parish was saddened to learn of the death of Fr.Dolan's mother in August 2007. A Mass to celebrate the life of Cissie Dolan was held in St. Edward's Church on 13 September 2007. During the Mass, Fr.Dolan was presented with new communion plate in memory of his mother.

Fr.Paddy Quirk

Fr. Paddy arrived in November 2000 to help in the running of the parish during Fr. Dolan's illness and recuperation. He entered enthusiastically into all aspects of parish life, even volunteering to have his head shaved to raise funds at the Christmas Fair in 2001!

When he returned to Limerick to prepare for his next appointment, he did not want "any fuss" and did not allow Fr Dolan to announce his departure until after he left.

Fr.Paddy returned to South Africa, where he worked for many years, at the end of August 2002

The whole parish joins with Fr Dolan in thanking Fr.Paddy for all he has done for us and we hope that he will soon visit us again. Meanwhile we offer our prayers and good wishes for the future.