Supplements

archived ISSUE

Two belleville catholic schools to merge at end of this school year

Father Ralph Haas, 81, died March 7 at St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet, Ill. He was 81.

He had gone to Joliet to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for a relative when he died.

Even in retirement, Father Haas continued to celebrate the Eucharist at Immaculate Conception Church in East St. Louis.

Known for his woodworking skills, his handiwork continues to be evident at St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Hecker, his last assignment before retiring in July 1999.

He was born Oct. 11, 1926 in Belleville to Peter and Agnes Bauer Haas.

Ordained by Bishop Albert R. Zuroweste May 3, 1955, Father Haas celebrated his first Mass at his home parish, St. Mary in Belleville.

Father Haas began his ministry as an associate pastor at SS. Peter and Paul, Waterloo and later served at St. Joseph’s, East St. Louis, Holy Childhood, Mascoutah and St. Stephen, Caseyville.

He was the temporary administrator of St. Joseph’s, Prairie du Rocher before being assigned as the pastor of St. Barbara, Okawville in 1964.

Three years later, Father Haas was named the pastor of St. John the Baptist, Smithton. Subsequent pastorates beginning in 1972 were in the diocese’s West Deanery. In 1970, he was assigned to St. Agatha’s, New Athens; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Renault in 1982; and St. Augustine, Hecker in 1988 where he served as pastor until 1999.
In addition to his ministry as pastor, Father Haas taught religion classes at the former St. Teresa Academy in East St. Louis and served as chaplain at Chester Mental Health Center.

On the diocesan level, Father Haas served on the College of Consultors, the Presbyteral Council, the Priest Personnel Board and the board of directors of the Clergymen’s Aid Society. He was a Faithful Friar of the Knights of Columbus, Fort Kaskaskia Assembly.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Teresa Wiesen-Haas; two brothers Father Melvin and Leroy Haas; two step-sisters, Dorothy Schneider and Joan Reime; a step-brother, Kenny Wiesen; a brother-in-law Joseph Clark; a nephew Carl Koerner; and a great-nephew William Koerner.

He is survived by a sister, Virginia Clark of Plainfield, Ill.; a step-sister Patricia Kane of Belleville and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bishop Edward K. Braxton was principal celebrant and homilist at a March 12 Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary in Belleville.

Interment was at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Belleville.