Father Leo Coughlin

Fr. Leo was ordained to the priesthood in May 1958. Over the years he has served as pastor in several parishes. He has worked as Director of Dioesan adult education office and worked in pre-marriage preparation courses. Father Leo’s Masters Degree in Pastoral Counselling has enabled him to work as a therapist in a private counelling practice for ten years. In 2001 he retired from pastoring a parish and since then has been chaplain to the Sisters of St Joseph as well as acting as Faith Animator to the staff of the Catholic school Board.

He has been a life long student not only in the area of sprituality but also the new cosmology and quantum physics.

In and through this website Fr. Leo hopes to bring to you the writings of contributors who have an expertise in their own discipline. If there are topics or areas of interest you wish to pursue then he invites your comments and will try to respond in a helpful manner.

As Seen Through The Rearview Mirror Is Now Available On Amazon.

I have been on a journey in ministry for 64 years, and have been taught and learned a great deal. I have been educated by nature herself. I grew up loving the land and all she birthed, year after year. I was taught by the people of God to be vulnerable and to accept being love, and from this I learned to love and to serve - excluding no one. Finally, I was taught by the Master. Jesus taught me to give my life away in service, just as he gave his life away. Now as I look back through the rearview mirror, I see that it has been a wonderful and challenging journey.

 

Daily Reflections Arising from Silence and Solitude

“Fr Leo Coughlin is that rare treasure, a faith-filled priest and ecumenical spiritual counselor, beloved in Peterborough. This collection of his pastoral wisdom will be warmly welcomed by all.”

Rosemary Ganley

Writer and Activist

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Features

Part 1 - "Father Leo's Story"

Captured at Selwyn Outreach Centre at the great Sunday night service with Father Leo Coughlin. He shares his story from childhood to deep counselling. June 30, 2023

A Word From God's Servant - Part Two

"Father Leo At 91"

Father Leo Coughlin continues to touch Peterborough through helping the homeless and starting a new congregation.

 

CHILDREN’S STORY BY LIZZ MANN

EMERGING NEW FAITH STORY

 

Leo explores Janet McLeod's life as a florist, the beauty of flowers and their power to create deep connections with friends and loved ones.

Leo talks with Mark Woollard (part 1) about how his early life shaped and motivated his spiritual journey leading him to seeing himself as a wannabe mystic.

Leo talks with Mark Woollard (part 2) about his spiritual practices, the decline of religious institutions, the experience of the presence of God and the relationship of science and spirituality.

Leo talks with Gail Goodjohn about her near death experience and how it has changed her life.

Leo talks with Marilyn Sullivan about a successful cooperative housing project in the 1950s that could inspire innovative solutions for our current shortage of affordable housing.

Leo talks with Elizabeth Bell about her competitive swimming and faith.

Leo talks with Michael Dumas about his lifelong passion of painting the natural environment.

Leo talks with Joe van Koeverden about his journey with Parkinson's disease. He says the key is getting to an attitude of acceptance, combined with solid information, the right meds, exercise and social support.

Leo Talks with Liz Fowler about Sue Monk Kidd's novel, The Book of Longings, and how seeing the story of Jesus through the eyes of a woman can change how one relates to Jesus and his message.

Leo Talks with Erin O’Sullivan about her volunteering with Book Clubs for Inmates at Warkworth Prison--how it changes her and transforms the lives of inmates.

Leo talks with Corry Wink about how she puts her heart for the poor into action by volunteering with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Ottawa and advocating for a guaranteed basic income.

Leo Talks with Keith Dalton about building warm and secure sleeping cabins for the homeless.

Fr. Leo invites everyone to a Rally at Confederation Park, Peterborough on Nov. 26 at 1:00 pm in support of Justice for the Homeless.

Leo Talks with Blair Sawa - Part 2

Leo talks with Blair about creation spirituality, the meaning of salvation, and their hopes for the current Synod process.

Leo Talks with Blair Sawa - Part 1

Fr. Leo speaks to Blair about his approach to teaching high school students creation spirituality.

Leo Talks with Sr. Mary Rowell about MAID

Sr. Mary, a bioethicist and Sister of St. Joseph, shares a Catholic perspective on suffering, death and medical assistance in dying (MAID).

Leo Talk Overview

Fr. Leo Coughlin describes the focus of Leo Talk and in particular, the criteria he uses for determining who to invite to come and talk with him.

The Decline of Religion

Fr. Leo reflects on the decline of religion in terms of church attendance and offers hope for the rise of an alternative spirituality.

Leo Talks with Trish Campbell

Fr. Leo interviews Trish Campbell about PATH -- Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes -- and the work to create 15 safe sleeping cabins for the winter of 2022-23, and the plan to create a community of tiny homes.

The Ethic of Life and MAID. Each of Fr. Leo's two distinct roles, preacher and pastor, give him two different perspectives on a person's choice to seek medical assistance in dying (MAID).

Obedience vs Following Your Conscience

Fr. Leo discusses obedience vs. following your conscience in such personal matters as cremation, abortion and medical assistance in dying (MAID).

Leo Talks with Sue Woollard

Leo asks Sue about her experiences walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage along with her practice and teaching of Centering Prayer.

Leo Talks with Celia McBride

Fr. Leo explores Celia McBride's story of finding God in nature and the arts and then becoming a spiritual director.

Leo talks with Andi van Koeverden about how wide-spread community collaboration and support built on the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph to create affordable housing and food security in the heart of Peterborough.

Leo Talks with Stephen Kylie

Fr. Leo talks with Stephen Kylie about his work with the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network, The Mount Community Centre, and the "rebirth" of Trinity United Church as a centre for tackling health issues in Peterborough

Fr. Leo talks with Christian Harvey, Co-Executive Director of One City Peterborough, about advocacy for homeless and marginalized people.

Fr. Leo talks with Erin Bell about how she combines her spirituality with her scientific knowledge of nutrition and health to help people take practical steps to improve their health and well being.

Leo talks with Paul Hickey about his successful advertising agency—Outpost379–and what underpins that success.