Sandpiper: Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst

FEBRUARY 2019 WWW.SANDPIPER.ORG.AU “A man scatters seed and while he sleeps it grows even though he does not know how” Mark 4:26-34 By Mons Peter Jeffrey Parish Priest Mooroopna On behalf of the Sandurst Presbyterate I would like to pay tribute to Fr Rom Hayes on his retirement, or more likely, semi-retirement, as we all know Fr Rom will continue to make a significant contribution to our Diocese for many years to come. Born and baptised in Kyneton while WWII was still raging, Rom was confirmed with the name Dominic when he was eleven years old. A boarder at Xavier College, and seminarian at Corpus Christi College in Werribee, Rom, like so many Jesuit-educated lads, has an ability to mix with people of any and every background with ease. Rom is gracious, charming and makes those around him feel valued. We all want to thank him for that. Rom was ordained a Priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral by Bishop Stewart on May 21 1971. He worked as an assistant Priest at St Mary’s in Heathcote then St Brendan’s in Shepparton where, as a fellow curate, I was fortunate enough to become his friend and observe him charming the parishioners. Rom was unflappable – except that in a true Jesuit way, he was searching for the “magis” – the “more”. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons he worked in Peruwith the St Columban’s Mission Society for so many years. Rom’s cousin Fr John Hegarty, a fellow Diocesan priest, who visited Rom in Peru, told me Rom worked with the homeless at rubbish dumps. To me this speaks volumes about his spirit of service which, combined with his natural charm, made Rom an obvious choice as Diocesan Director of Australian Catholic Relief and Pontifical Mission Societies, where he inspired our parishioners so much that Sandhurst became by far the most generous Diocese, based on gifts per head of population. Rom is not only a missionary, but a scholar and world traveller; he has undertaken further studies in Theology in Chicago and Ecumenism in Jerusalem. In between being a missionary, scholar and traveller, Rom found time to work at home as a well-loved Priest. Firstly as Assistant Priest and Parish Priest at Numurkah then Wodonga and, of course, St Kilian’s where he has upheld the tradition of the old “smoke room” being a place of warm welcome for clergy. Rom has made St Kilian’s his home and made everyone who visits feel at home. The photographs on the presbytery wall are a reminder to all of us of the people in mission territories — especially Peru. I suspect I speak for Bishop Les and all the Priests of the Diocese when I say Rom. that we admire the way you have lived your Priesthood. You nourish your spirituality with a careful selection of fine spiritual reading. When I see you going across to the sacristy with a spring in your step to celebrate Mass I know the congregation will get a brief and nourishing homily couched not in ‘neo-scholastic’ language but in contemporary language that resonates with and nourishes the congregation hungry for the living Word of God. Rom, even though you will be out at Axedale on the banks of the Campaspe, I know you will still be well-known and loved in Hargreaves St. and Pall Mall and the broader Sandhurst community. We thank you for your engaging and far-reaching presence amongst the priests and people of the Diocese. As you wait for the fish to bite on the banks of the Campaspe, may you have happy and varied memories of your extensive ministry. Know that we love you as a friend and brother priest in the Sandhurst Presbyterate. All that I have been saying about Rom. is well summarised in a phrase from Paul’s letter to Titus – he had “no ambition but to do good”! NEWS 3 No ambition but to do good! Pictured clockwise from above: Fr Hayes at his farewell Mass, January 13, 2019. Fr Hayes on the front cover of The Far East Magazine from his time working with St Columban’s Mission Society in Peru. Fr Rom Hayes and Fr Paul Purcell outside St Kilian’s Church 2018.