Father Leo Coughlin tells his life story in new book

Now retired, he has been a priest for more than 64 years

After more than six decades of serving the people of Peterborough through ministry, a local priest is telling his life story in his new autobiography.

Father Leo Coughlin, 90, a retired priest from St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, has been a priest for over 64 years after obtaining a master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Ottawa before graduating from seminary school in 1958.

The autobiography called “Father Leo’s Story: As Seen through the Rear-view Mirror,” covers topics Coughlin encountered over his life, from his time in Toronto as a rambunctious teenager to struggling with his God and his spirituality while coming face-to-face with religion.

One of 11 children growing up poor during the Great Depression and the Second World War, Coughlin learned at a young age to have a good work ethic.

“Poverty was always there,” said Coughlin. “When I was in my late teens, I went to Toronto, my goal was to get a job where I could make lots of money, because if I got money, I would get the good life.”

He said it didn’t work out and he made very little money, but eventually got the good life.

After each chapter he reflects on the lessons he learned during that stage in his life through his pastoral reflections.

Lessons he is hoping people learn through his book are empathy, nonjudgment and accepting life as the journey it is.

While spending time in Parry Sound, Coughlin witnessed a car accident where people had been killed.

Waiting for police and paramedics was a lesson in empathy, Coughlin said.

“I reflect on what I learned about how to respond to people, and I couldn’t help but think of the families,” he said. “I think one of the big lessons I learned was living with the essence of life.”

“Without any judgment, criticism, and accepting life, but the essence of life is we don’t have control over life. Life happens while we’re making plans.”

Coughlin said his first introduction to prayer came when his grandmother was dying, and Coughlin’s father promised to continue praying with his family.

Throughout his life Coughlin prayed nightly no matter what, whether after a night out in Toronto with friends or in university, he always made time.

He said during those years is when he started having the call to the priesthood.

“I didn’t want it. I didn’t want any part of it. I wanted the money and the good life,” said Coughlin.

“I struggled for several months, finally, deciding to surrender, and when I did, I registered at the seminary and went for seven years.”

Spirituality and faith also come up in Coughlin’s book and how they were dealt with throughout his life, including current events and what he sees as the future of religion.

Coughlin said the church of today does not necessarily look like the church of decades past, but is made up of smaller groups seeking spirituality and turning away from dogma and doctrine.

“Where early churches started out with home churches, small groups, the same thing is happening, people have faith, peacemaking, social justice, environmental, and homelessness groups, so many groups with their own spirituality,” he said.

Coughlin said at times he wrestled with his faith.

“I’m still wrestling with God in my old age, but I’ve got a pretty good foundation now,” he said. “That’s the difference. When I was 18 and 19, I didn’t, now at my age, I have a foundation and I wrestle with God knowing I’m on solid ground and I’m still learning.”

To check out his book go to: amzn.to/3a8mQTW.