William Hynes, born in 1925, Ballyheeny, County Waterford, Ireland to parents who were farmers.  His vocation came at a early age and he attended St John’s Seminary in Ireland from 1942-1949.  He was ordained June 16, 1949 for the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore.

After his ordination, he was sent on temporary mission to the Diocese of Sacramento, California and was stationed at the Parish of St. Joseph’s Marysville from 1949-1962.  At the time, Father Hynes was Incardinated into the Diocese of Sacramento in 1957.  He was later transfered to the newly created Santa Rosa Diocese.  On August 24, 1977 he was bestowed the title of Monsignor by Pope Paul VI.  Msgr. Hynes has been at a variety of parishes in the Santa Rosa Diocese:

·         St. Joseph’s Crescent City:  1962 -70

·         Queen of Peace Church, Clearlake Highlands: 1970 - 1972

·         St. Peter’s, Cloverdale: 1972-74

·         St. John the Baptist, Napa: 1974-85

·         St. John the Baptist, Healdsburg: 1985-89

·         St. Sebastian’s, Sebastopol: 1989 – 2010 

While Msgr. Hynes saw many changes in the Church during his 60 plus years as a priest, he always followed the magisterium of the Church.  He has been the longest tenured pastor at St Sebastian’s Church, 21 years.  Thank you for your many years of faithful service to Our Church! 

 
On August 30, 2010, Msgr. Hynes celebrated his last Holy Mass as Pastor of St Sebastian’s Church.  He will continue to live in his house here at St. Sebastian's Church so we are blessed to still be able to see him in our parish.  St Sebastian's loves you!  Enjoy retirement.