St Joseph's Society
Michael Bernard Gaine was born in London on 21st July 1930, the son of Daniel and Bridget Gaine. He was educated at Seafield Convent, St Mary’s College, Crosby, and St Joseph’s College, Upholland. He was ordained priest in the College Chapel at Upholland on 12th June 1954 by Archbishop William Godfrey. Following ordination he was appointed as the junior private secretary to the Archbishop.
In 1957 he was appointed as assistant priest at St Mary’s, Woolton, and also read for a BA degree in social science at Liverpool University. During 1961-62 he trained as a teacher at St Mary’s College, Twickenham, before taking up a teaching post at Gunnersbury Catholic Grammar School in London. In 1964 he returned to the Archdiocese, teaching at St Kevin’s School, Kirkby, whilst residing at Upholland College. The following year he was appointed to the staff of Christ’s College, Liverpool and within a short time set up the Liverpool Institute for Socio-Religious Studies, which published pamphlets on social issues and gave advice to religious congregations. He continued his teaching until 1989, in what had by then become Christ’s and Notre Dame College, by which time he was head of the social science department.
Michael’s talents and energies were also harnessed beyond the confines of the Archdiocese. For a number of years he served on the social welfare commission of the Bishops’ Conference. He was also a trustee of Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem. However, many associate Michael particularly with his work as a founder member of the Movement for the Ordination of Married Men.
In August 1989 he returned to parish life for his sole appointment as parish priest at St Mary’s, Highfield Street. As well as attending to the regular demands of parish life, he regularly celebrated Latin Mass in the extraordinary form on Sunday afternoons and maintained a warm and close relationship with Liverpool Parish Church. He remained at Highfield Street until just after he celebrated his 70th birthday in 2000 at which time he retired to West Kirby. From 2011 increasing frailty necessitated Michael being cared for in a number of different care homes, before he finally settled at James Nugent Court in Liverpool.
He died on 24th September 2017 and his funeral Mass was celebrated at St Charles, Liverpool.
May he rest in peace.