Tipperary priest celebrates 70th anniversary of his ordination

Canon Matthew Hayes, a native of Rathcoole, Fethard, celebrated the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at St Joseph’s Home, Clifton, Bristol.  

At the Jubilee Mass, which was the highlight of the celebration, Canon Hayes himself, now aged 94, was the chief concelebrant, with twenty of his diocesan clergy co-concelebrating with him. 

 Towards the end of the Mass, celebrated in the chapel of St Joseph’s Home, where Canon Hayes is now resident, Monsignor Michael Slattery, a native of Knockavilla parish and Vicar General of Clifton diocese, read a congratulatory message from Bishop Declan Lang, bishop of Clifton, and also the Papal Blessing sent to Canon Hayes from the Vatican.  

Fourteen members of the extended Hayes family travelled to Bristol for the occasion.

Members of the Hayes extended family with Canon Hayes after his Jubilee Mass. From left: Claire Wilson, New Ross, grandniece; Tom Hayes, Rathcoole, nephew; Emma Hayes, Rathcoole, grandniece; Máirín Hayes, Roscrea, sister-in-law; Katherine Butler, London, niece; David Hayes, Waterford, nephew; Nichole Hayes, Rathcoole grandniece; Canon Hayes; Willie Hayes, Ballymacarbery, nephew; Liz Frailing, Ballymacarbry; Willie Hayes, Roscrea, brother; Paschal Wilson, New Ross, nephew-in-law; Richard Hayes, Saucestown, nephew; David Butler, Dun Laoghaire, nephew; Mary Butler, Dun Laoghaire, niece-in-law. Photo courtesy of Clifton Diocese.

Canon Hayes is the eldest of the family of the late Thomas and May Hayes, which consisted of seven boys and one girl.  

Besides Canon Matthew, popularly called Mattie, two other siblings survive, Willie, who lives in Roscrea, and Denis, who has been living in Victoria, Australia, since the late 1970s.

Canon Mattie, born on 8 May 1924, received his primary education at the Patrician Brothers National School in Fethard.  

He then went to Rockwell College and later to Mount Melleray for his secondary schooling. 

He received his early seminary training in St John’s College, Waterford, and his final training in Oscott College, Birmingham. 

 He was ordained in the former pro-cathedral in Bristol on 11th July 1948.  He served in a wide range of parishes in his diocese which covers Gloucestershire, Avon and Somerset. 

 After retirement in Bath, he continued to do weekend supply work in surrounding parishes up to his 90th year.  

He is now the longest serving priest in his diocese. 

He still takes his turn at celebrating Sunday Mass at St Joseph’s Home in Clifton, which is run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. 

The Sisters themselves did all the preparation and catering for the buffet for the large number of guests who came to join with Canon Hayes on his celebratory day.