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.”