Rev. James A. Doyle

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for the Reverend James A. Doyle, 83, a senior priest of the Diocese of Lake Charles, at St. Theodore Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 11:00 AM. Father Doyle, a native of New York, died Friday, November 30, 2012 in a local hospital. The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, will be the celebrant with priest of the Diocese concelebrating.

Father Doyle was born January 16, 1929 to Michael and Mary Doyle. Father Doyle received his early education at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, attended Commerce High School, and graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1947. He attended New York University, receiving an Associate Degree, received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Bonaventure University, and completed his seminary education at Christ the King Seminary in Olean, New York. He was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend John Maguire, On May 27, 1961 in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. He celebrated his First Mass on May 28, 1961 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New York.

Father Doyle came south to the Diocese of Lafayette, taking his first assignment as assistant pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in New Iberia in June 1961. He also served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne and St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Lake Charles in 1963. He was Chaplain of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas from 1970 to October 1972, when he was appointed pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake. In 1972, Father Doyle was Named priest-in-charge at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Chapel in Fenton, a mission of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Kinder. In 1983, he took on additional duties with Diocesan Tribunal and was named the founding pastor of St. Borromeo Catholic Church, the first parish established following the formation of the Diocese of Lake Charles. Since 1989, he served in a variety of positions in the Tribunal and was in residence with part time pastoral duties at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Moss Bluff. Father Doyle was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as chaplain. Fr. Doyle was the Chaplain of the Catholic Daughters and Jr. Catholic Daughters and enjoyed their fellowship each month. He was also a faithful servant to St. Pius X, in Ragley and was forever available for their weekly CCD Masses and extra events.

Father Doyle was a quiet spirit. He rose early each weekday for the 6:15 AM Mass that he was so faithful to. He loved to walk the grounds of the church while praying and reading his Brievary. He enjoyed greeting the students at Holy Family Catholic School as they arrived each morning. He shared his love of animals every year with the students at the Blessing of their animals on the Feast of St. Frances. He left his presence at each stop he made feeding the abandoned animals along the roadways. He loved his work and was committed to having an active life in spite of his age. He will be fondly remembered as a very private and faithful servant and missed by both of his Parish Families.

Visitation will at St. Theodore Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 from 8:00 AM until time of services. A rosary will be prayed at 9:00 AM. Burial will follow his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in New Bethany Cemetery on the grounds of St. Charles Center in Moss Bluff under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.