Meet Fr Mike Hayes!

Pastor, Excellent Homilist, Master of Irish wit, Mentor and Friend to many

Michael T. Hayes was born in Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland. As he liked to say, he was the only child (unspoiled) of Margaret and Michael Hayes. He spent his youth on Ireland’s west-coast beaches and as a caddy on the world-famous Lahinch National Golf Course. The love of the game never left him.

After earning top scholastic honors and completing seminary at St. Patrick’s, Carlow, Ireland, he was ordained for the Diocese of Duluth on June 11, 1960, where he served in parish ministry for forty-three years. He was well-known for his non-judgmental approach to ministry, his sense of humor and his generosity. He was a gifted story-teller and a lover of literature, poetry, theater and music. Irish culture permeated his ministry.

Fr. Hayes was the founder and pastor of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Moose Lake, MN and served this community for seventeen years. After a brief, courageous struggle with cancer, parishioners and friends from all walks of life celebrated the life and death of this perfectly outrageous, witty and wise shepherd on August 11, 2003.