Book published to remember former Lees parish priest

THE life of a long-serving Lees parish priest has been remembered and celebrated in a new book.Father Eugene Dolan served St Edward RC Church for 47 years until his death, aged 78, in December 2017.

Entitled ‘The Man, The Priest, The Legend’, the book has been written by parishioner and Saddleworth Parish Councillor Max Woodvine.

A copy of the book was blessed recently at a special service and other copies presented to members of the family who travelled over from Ireland.

In June, the church also unveiled a Celtic Cross in his honour and erected a bench in Lees Cemetery, where he spent a lot of time.

“Father Dolan a dynamic priest who broke the mould of some of the images we might have of what a priest should be,” said Cllr Woodvine.

“He was a die-hard, season ticket holding supporter of Manchester United.

“On Saturdays, after he celebrated a midday Mass, he would rush away in order to make it to Old Trafford to watch his beloved Red Devils.

“As a follower of the fortunes of horse racing, he was a regular visitor to the betting shops.

“Father Dolan was a fan of Bob Dylan, a man who remained, in the words of the Dylan song, ‘Forever Young’.

“Even in his later years he was always at home in the company of young people.

“At St. Edward’s School he nurtured the children of the parish into the faith.

“He is remembered by the youth of past generations from the school for the ‘staff versus students,’ football matches in which he took part and gave no favours to the young players.

“With his familiar and ever smiling face he was a link between church and school. He was always available for a high five or fist bump.

“We remember Father Dolan for his innate sense of priestly duty, for his compassion and love, for his humour and for his unending loyalty to the community of St. Edward’s parish.”