Completing studies in philosopy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, NE, and theological studies at Holy Apostles Seminary, in Cromwell, CT, he recieved the M.Div. degree in 2006. Ordained to the priesthood in 2007 by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., for the Archdiocese of Chicago as a member of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, Fr. Haynes serves as Associate Pastor of St. John Cantius Church.

As an organ and choral scholar at Washington's National Cathedral from 1994-98, Haynes studied under the tutelage of Dr. Douglas Major, Organist and Choirmaster.  He completed choral conducting studies at the University of Alabama under Dr. Sandra Willets, complimented by post-graduate studies at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey.  Having studied composition under Dr. Frederic Goosen, he won the American Society of Composers and Arrangers' Raymond Hubbell Award for orchestral composition in 1992.  Today, he actively composes liturgical music for the choirs of St. John Cantius.