By Joanna Puddister King
VICKSBURG – Mourners filled St. Michael Church beyond capacity Oct. 1, gathering in side rooms and standing wherever space remained to bid farewell to Father Robert Hayden Dore, a priest whose 37 years of ministry touched parish communities across the Diocese of Jackson.
Father Dore, 71, died Sept. 24 at his home in Vicksburg following a brief battle with cancer. He had served as pastor of St. Michael since 2017.
Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial and delivered the homily, joined by priests of the diocese and Father Dore’s priest friends. Family members, current and past parishioners and members of the Vicksburg Catholic School community, including students from the senior class, gathered to pray for the priest they had known as a pastor, friend and steady presence.

In his homily, Bishop Kopacz reflected on the Scripture readings and the Christian hope that sustained Father Dore’s life and ministry. Before entering the priesthood, Father Dore worked as a nurse. His vocation continued that work of caring for others through the sacraments and accompanying people in illness, sorrow and the everyday life of faith.
The bishop recalled phone calls, as well as visiting and praying with Father Dore during the final weeks of his life. Even as his illness progressed, Father Dore remained grateful for the prayers offered on his behalf and sought to keep his parish family informed through his sister, Lorraine.
“He was so grateful for your prayers,” Bishop Kopacz said.
The bishop connected Father Dore’s final days with the prayers priests offer each evening in the Liturgy of the Hours, entrusting themselves to God and asking for a restful night and a peaceful death.
“What a great gift our faith is for all of us,” he said. “We walk by faith, not by sight.”
Born Oct. 16, 1954, in Jacksonville, Florida, Father Dore was the son of Noel Hayden Dore Jr. and Louise Ann May Dore. His family, originally from Natchez, was living in Jacksonville while his father served in the Marine Corps. They later returned to Natchez, where Father Dore grew up.
He graduated from Cathedral School in 1973 and earned a nursing degree at Hinds Junior College in Raymond. He later entered the pre-theology program at St. Pius X Seminary in Erlanger, Kentucky, before continuing his formation at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.
Father Dore was ordained June 10, 1989, and celebrated his first Mass the following day at St. Mary Church in Natchez, now St. Mary Basilica.
His ministry included service as associate pastor at St. Joseph in Greenville and St. Paul in Vicksburg. He served as pastor at St. Therese in Chatawa, St. James in Magnolia and Annunciation in Columbus before returning to Vicksburg as pastor of St. Michael.
His other responsibilities included serving as dean of Deanery II, chaplain to the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Chatawa and auxiliary chaplain at Columbus Air Force Base. He also served as state chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and, at the time of his death, as chaplain for Council 898.
In reflections shared with the Vicksburg Post, parishioners and school leaders remembered Father Dore’s quiet manner, kindness and attentiveness to others.
Dean Andrews described him as “a happy, friendly priest” who made people feel good. His wife, Kelly Andrews, said Father Dore had been like a member of their family.
Mary Arledge, principal of St. Francis Xavier Elementary School, recalled his calming presence and support for the school’s faculty and students.

“He was very quiet and calming and a humble man,” Arledge told the Vicksburg Post.
The farewell continued Oct. 2 in Father Dore’s hometown of Natchez. At St. Mary Basilica, mourners gathered for Lauds, or Morning Prayer, from the Office of the Dead. Father Aaron Williams sang much of the service, and Father Alex Waraksa, a friend from seminary days, delivered the homily. The Rite of Committal followed at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Father Dore was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sisters, Lorraine Dore Arnold and Rhonda Dore, and his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnephews and cousins.
At the conclusion of the funeral Mass, Bishop Kopacz commended Father Dore to God’s mercy and prayed for those left to mourn him: “Help us who remain, to comfort one another with assurances of faith.”

By Joanna Puddister King and Tereza Ma
MADISON – A kind word, a listening ear or an invitation to share a gift can become a powerful expression of faith. That message connected art, storytelling and practical ministry workshops during the Diocese of Jackson’s Fall Faith Formation Day Sept. 19 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
Centered on the theme “Formed to Serve, Sent to Lead,” the gathering brought together catechists, youth ministers and other parish leaders for prayer, fellowship, two keynote presentations and breakout sessions addressing the opportunities and challenges of sharing the faith today.
Keynote speaker Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, used his colorful artwork and personal stories to encourage participants to recognize God’s presence in everyday encounters. An artist, author and retreat leader based in Camden, New Jersey, Brother Mickey belongs to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and has worked in full-time art ministry since 1994.
Throughout his presentations, he returned to the influence of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, whose life and witness helped him discover a new purpose for his artistic gifts.

Brother Mickey recalled first encountering Sister Thea through a magazine interview while his father was seriously ill. Later, watching a video about her life inspired a series of paintings and set him on a path of sharing her story through art. Over more than three decades, that inspiration has continued to grow. Forty-seven of his paintings inspired by Sister Thea are now part of the materials gathered for her canonization cause.
For Brother Mickey, Sister Thea’s example offers a lesson in transforming grief into hope and using personal gifts to build others up. He encouraged those working in faith formation to see their ministry as an opportunity to accompany people and help them recognize their own worth.
“It’s just saying to somebody, ‘I’m here. You’re not alone,’” he said.
His afternoon presentation expanded that message through stories of community mural projects and friendships formed through art. He described people finding moments of peace, connection and renewed confidence while painting together, including those experiencing grief or hardship. Creativity, he suggested, can open a door to relationships that might otherwise never develop.
For Timothy Roberts of St. Alphonsus Parish in McComb, the presentation deepened an existing interest in Sister Thea.
“It just enhanced everything I already knew about her, and I want to learn more,” said Roberts, who teaches fourth-grade parish religious education with his wife, Mary.
The day’s breakout sessions gave participants opportunities to connect that spirit of accompaniment with their own ministries. Topics included mental health, artificial intelligence, Confirmation preparation, engaging teaching methods, youth summer experiences, young adult discipleship, Catholic social teaching and immigration. Sessions on Catholic social teaching and immigration were offered in English and Spanish.
In “Created in His Image: Faith, Human Dignity & A.I.,” Joni House, executive director of Catholic education for the diocese, invited participants to consider how technology can serve people while preserving human dignity and relationships.
Her presentation offered six areas for discernment: dignity, truth, relationship, responsibility, the common good and mission. Participants considered whether information is trustworthy, whether a human person remains accountable for decisions and whether technology helps people love God and serve their neighbors.
Small-group exercises applied those questions to situations such as using AI to draft parish messages or formation materials and using AI-generated information in decisions affecting a person.
Jeanne Setzer, who serves in a book group at St. Francis of Assisi in Madison, said the workshop addressed an increasingly important part of daily life.
“I think it’s very important for us to learn how to use AI responsibly,” Setzer said, emphasizing that human connectedness should remain central. “AI should help enhance our relationships with each other.”
Amy Chaney of St. Michael Parish in Vicksburg also valued the discussion, along with the chance to learn from other catechists. Having taught First Communion preparation for about three years, she came seeking ideas for educating children and sharing the faith.

“I’m enjoying communicating with other people in the diocese and meeting people that I’ve talked to on the phone and being able to connect with them in person,” Chaney said.
Other workshops explored how ministers can care for themselves and accompany people through important transitions.
Dr. Kayla Acklin led “You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup: Mental Health and Ministry,” addressing personal well-being as an essential part of caring for others. Dr. Edgar Meyer facilitated “Beyond Graduation: Accompanying Young Adults into Lifelong Discipleship,” which included a panel of young adults sharing their experiences.
Deacon Bill Vautrot, ordained in July and assigned to St. Gregory the Great in Senatobia, attended both sessions.
“I really learned how important it is to take care of yourself so you can take care of others,” he said.
The young adult panel also helped him better understand the challenges people face after college and how the church can support their continued growth in faith. Attendees were also able to leave with resource guides on building a young adult ministry program and campus ministry programs for local colleges.
For those teaching children and teenagers, workshops offered ideas to bring home to parish classrooms and youth groups.
Mary Roberts attended April Moore’s session on bringing joy and energy into faith formation. She said the discussion offered ways to use visuals, games and interaction to engage students while continuing to teach the faith.
Lauren Cotting, youth minister and Confirmation catechist at St. Alphonsus in McComb, attended Abbey Schuhmann’s session on Catholic camps, conferences and service experiences.
Schuhmann and the panel introduced opportunities ranging from service-centered experiences to summer programs combining recreation and faith formation, giving Cotting options to share with her parish team.
Amy Le and Cindy Tran, youth ministry leaders at St. Michael Parish in Forest, said the day offered encouragement for a growing ministry. Le recalled beginning with only two or three students; the group now consistently draws at least 15.
They came away with ideas for developing leadership, involving young people in service and strengthening relationships within the parish.
“It’s just nice to have another perspective on how to do things,” Tran said.
For Le, the gathering reinforced the possibilities ahead as their young people continue to grow together in faith.
“I think it’s beautiful to be here today,” she said.

click for more photos

Rev. Rickson Robert Antony appointed parochial vicar of St. James Parish in Tupelo effective July 2, 2026.

Rev. Hung Pham appointed to Sacred Heart Southern Missions Pastoral Team effective August 21, 2026.

Rev. Javier Rosa, ST, appointed parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Camden, effective August 2, 2026.

Deacon John McGinley appointed to St. Paul Parish, Flowood, effective October 1, 2026.

Deacon Mark Bowden appointed as Chaplain at VA Hospital, in addition to duties at St. Jude Parish in Pearl.

Deacon Wesley Lindsay appointed as Coordinator of Mission Appeals, in addition to duties at Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson.

Rev. Rickson Robert Antony, Rev. Hung Pham, Deacon Mark Bowden, Deacon Wesley Lindsay

September 15
Father Bill Henry, Retired

October 24
Father Marvin Gyasie, SVD
St. Mary, Vicksburg & St. Joseph, Port Gibson