Teacher, student, formator, retreat leader, artist, friend, brother, uncle, caregiver, patient, animal lover and jokester… stories of these and many more chapters of Fr. Byron Haaland’s life were shared last Thursday during the vigil for him and Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.
“He was so funny,” said Fr. Jim Schroeder, SCJ, in his homily, “’crippled with silliness’ as my sisters called him – but so talented, spiritual and deep… However, his greatest gift was creating relationships with his embracing, comfortable love for all. He included everyone and made them feel at home, with him and with Jesus. He could ‘jolly’ anyone into liking him.”
Click here to read Fr. Jim’s full homily.
Fr. Jim was the main celebrant at the Funeral Mass and Fr. Jack Kurps, SCJ, a novitiate classmate of Fr. Byron’s, stood alongside Fr. Jim at the altar.
During the Vigil prior to the Funeral Mass, Fr. Jim spoke about Fr. Byron’s last hours after he had suffered a cardiac arrest. Doctors were able to briefly restart his heartbeat, but it was too weak to continue. Fr. Jim described the scene in the hospital: medical personnel surrounded Fr. Byron, praying for him or simply holding him in their hearts, draping him with a quilt. That quilt was placed on Fr. Byron’s coffin for the vigil, and then given to his sister, Julie, as a remembrance.
Our apologies to those who tuned in for the livestream. Shortly before the start of Mass the computer in the chapel shut down. Thankfully, Jenny Drzewiecki – on loan to us from St. Martin of Tours parish – was able to start the livestream on a phone, but we realize that many people were unable to connect to the new link. We hope that the photos help you to get a sense of the celebration of Fr. Byron’s life.
Click here to access the online photo album.
