Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Patrick (PJ) O’Doherty. Father O’Doherty was born in Tipperary Town County Tipperary, Ireland to parents Catherine (Carberry) and John. He was the middle child of 9 children; 7 boys and 2 girls. His parents were faith-filled, and faith was a part of his daily living. He knew he wanted to be a priest when he was six years old.

He was known for his wry sense of humor, one that grew from his earliest years. He once quipped that he was “the best looking and most charming” of the O’Doherty clan. He was “thrown out of the altar boys” after being reprimanded for joking with his fellow altar servers. Still, his call to a vocation to the priesthood was not deterred. In an interview in 2024, Father O’Doherty chuckled that he carried H.H.H. behind his name for “holy, handsome and humble.”

Young Patrick O’Doherty was 18 when he entered St. Patrick’s College in Tipperary, Ireland. “There were 32 of us in seminary. Father O’Doherty was 24 when ordained June 13, 1970, for the Diocese of Orlando, at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles, County Tipperary. He celebrated his first Mass in his hometown, Cahir, County Tipperary. His late mother, Catherine, a widow, and his siblings sat in the front pews. Father O’Doherty also received an M.A. degree from Stetson University in DeLand.

While some of his brothers considered a vocation to the priesthood through religious life, Father O’Doherty chose to be a diocesan priest and became the only O’Doherty to be ordained. He knew little about the Diocese of Orlando or the state of Florida, other than it was part of the United States and known for sunshine.

Arriving in the Diocese of Orlando, the young priest received his first assignment to serve the community of St. Charles Borromeo (then Cathedral) Catholic Church, Orlando from †Bishop William Borders. His Irish spirit, humor and charm went with him as he served the communities of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Merritt Island; Central Catholic High School, Melbourne; Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Melbourne; Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, Orlando; St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lakeland; and St. Mary Catholic Church, Rockledge. He also served as a member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council.

Father O’Doherty was appointed pastor of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Ocala in 1987 when it had just been elevated from a mission church of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, Ocala, to a parish. With his community, Father O’Doherty replaced the mission’s 1986 multi-purpose building with a new church dedicated in October 1993. The $2.4 million church featured a gold cross atop a gold dome. An 80-foot-high stained-glass image of the crucified Christ over the altar and statues, art and stained glass were featured throughout. He had served this community of faith ever since.

Father O’Doherty continued to build up the Church in Ocala, with the people bearing God’s fruit. He began a radio ministry in 2003, reaching Catholics and non-Catholics. He produced multi-media broadcasts three or four times a week reaching viewers.

Father O’Doherty ministered to the people he so lovingly served with God’s gracious mercy when Queen of Peace Catholic Church was devastated by an arsonist, who started a fire in the church in 2020. The man was arrested, and the church had to undergo restorations. He said, “Evil never attacks evil. The church is something very good. I take the attack on the church as a sign that we’re doing the right thing here.”

Waking at 4:30 a.m., Father O’Doherty started God’s day with Liturgy of the Hours and Adoration, a mile-long walk and morning Mass. Then, he tended to administration duties and met with people for one-on-one sessions. He visited the sick and the dying and celebrated Funeral Masses. The Sacraments of Initiation, Reconciliation and Marriage offered a time of rejoicing.

Father O’Doherty said, “Being a priest is not a job. As instruments of Christ, the priesthood is a gift.”

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, denoting whether for Our Catholic Appeal 2026 or Fr. O’Doherty’s Homes for Haiti Project.

Funeral Arrangements

Visitation and Vigil:

Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 6455 SW State Rd 200, Ocala

Tuesday, October 20, 10:00 a.m. Reception of the body

10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Visitation

5:30 p.m. Vigil

Funeral Mass:

Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 6455 SW State Rd 200, Ocala

Wednesday, October 21, 11:00 a.m.

Reception immediately following Funeral Mass

Interment:

Wednesday, October 21, 2:30 p.m. (approximate)

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, 5010 Holy Rosary Loop, Oxford