A private funeral Mass for Deacon Ralph Hayes was celebrated May 18 at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Church in Ferguson. Deacon Hayes died May 6. He was 75 years old.
Deacon Hayes married the late Regina Hayes and they had two children, Brian Bishop and Jason Hayes. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate on June 3, 2000, by Archbishop Justin Rigali at the at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Following ordination, Deacon Hayes was assigned to St. Simon of Cyrene Parish, and assisted the pastors at St. Sebastian and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta parishes during his years as a deacon until his retirement on Aug. 1, 2015. He also served in the Airport Ministry for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Deacon Hayes served his parish by assisting at Mass, presiding at baptisms, Communion services, nursing home visits, hospital visits, airport ministry, and volunteer work with St. Vincent DePaul.
Burial was in Calvary Cemetery.