Fr. Byron Haaland, SCJ died on Thursday, July 2. He was 77 and had been hospitalized for the past several months for cancer treatment. Originally from California, Fr. Byron professed first vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart in 1970 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1977.
Most of Fr. Byron’s years of religious life were spent as a formation director and in retreat ministry. For many years that ministry was based at St. Joseph’s Retreat Center in Baileys Harbor, WI. He developed and directed retreats held at the center but also traveled the country –– and occasionally outside of it –– giving retreats for a wide variety of groups and organizations.
In the 1980s and 1990s Fr. Byron served on the Wisconsin State Board for Adult Children of Alcoholics and developed retreats for both the children of alcoholics and participants in Alcoholic Anonymous. “There are many similarities in 12-step programs and SCJ spirituality,” he said. “I think that SCJ spirituality kind of ‘catapults’ you into a poverty of spirit that helps you to see your powerlessness.” And from that sense of “powerlessness,” said Fr. Byron, one realizes that it is only through God that “we can do anything.”
Outside of his retreat ministry, Fr. Byron worked with the formation department at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, was SHSST Director of Mission, and for many years was active with St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care in Milwaukee.
His last full-time assignment was as novice master for the US Province.
Funeral arrangements are on Thursday, July 9. Reception of the Body and the Vigil will be at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30. Both will take place at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. Interment will follow at the community mausoleum. A livestream link for the Mass will be made available soon on social media and via e-mail to SCJs.
READ MORE on the province website.
CLICK HERE to view a YouTube series Fr. Byron did with Fr. Andrzej Sudol, SCJ, titled “Ask a Dehonian.” The two answered questions from students of Dehonian schools.
CLICK HERE to view another YouTube with Frs. Byron and Andrzej in which the SCJs talk about their vocation stories.
