Lucian Paul Hayden

Father Lucian Paul Hayden, 77, died Sunday, December 30, 2001 at the Carmel Home. He was born January 7, 1924, in Daviess County, Kentucky the son of Henry Walter and Mayola Mulligan Hayden, Jr. He attended elementary and high school at St. Frances Academy, Owensboro, KY from 1930 to 1940. Attended the seminary at St. Charles College in Catonsville, MD from 1940 to 1944 and St. Marys Seminary from 1944 to 1949. Bishop Frances R. Cotton ordained him on June 7, 1949 at St. Stephens Cathedral.

Father worked tirelessly for the unborn and was known though out the state for his letters and articles relative to Right to Life. He was named Kentucky Colonel for his outstanding work in civic affairs. He directed the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the diocese for more than 15 years, and had a special love for the poor, those in prison, and the downcast. In every Parish where he was stationed, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Legion of Mary thrived brining many material and spiritual blessings to those in need. Father was a great promoter of the Cursillo, Teens Encounter Christ, and was in great demand as a Spiritual Director and Counselor.

Father Lucian Hayden was Assistant Pastor at St. Stephens Cathedral from June 1949 to 1958. Pastor of the following parishes: St. Joseph, Central City with the Mission of St. Charles at Livermore from 1958-1966, St. William and St. Lawrence from 1966-1973, St. Joseph Church, Bowling Green from 1973-1982. St. Thomas More, Paducah from 1982-1989, St. Jerome, Francy Farm from 1989-1992 and Sacred Heart Church, Russellville from 1992 to his retirement when he took up residency at the Carmel Home in Owesboro in June 1999. Father Hayden studied Canon Law at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC and studied in Rome during his Sabbatical year. He worked on the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal for twelve years.

Father Hayden is survived by six brothers, Paschal Hayden of Huber Heights, OH, Henry Walter Hayden of Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York; Father Michael Hayden Chaplain for the Little Sisters of the Poor at San Pedro, CA, Dr. Raymond Hayden of Barbourville, KY, Dr. David Hayden of White Plains, MD, Dennis Hayden of Owensboro; three sisters, Sister Marie Michael Hayden of Mount Saint Joseph, Maple Mount, KY, Rose Marie Cassidy of Eugene, OR, Rachael Hayden of Owensboro and several nieces and nephews. Father Hayden was preceded in death by, Mary Nell Lackey, Anne Hayden and Paula Wayne, two other sisters, Theresa and Gemma and a brother, Richard died as infants. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Henry Walter and Mayola Mulligan Hayden.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2002 at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro. Burial will follow in Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery, Maple Mount, KY. Visitation is from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 1, 2002 and after 9:00a.m. Wednesday. Prayers will be said at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cathedral.

Expression of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Retired Priests Fund, Diocese of Owensboro, 600 Locust Street, Owensboro, KY 42301.