Father Byron Haaland was born on May 6, 1949 and was 77 years old. He took his first vows on August 22, 1970 and was ordained priest on November 19, 1977.

He was currently living in Franksville (United States of America). He belonged to the Province USA.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing (Ps 23:1)

Remembering Fr. Byron Haaland: retreat director, formator, novice master, DEHONIAN

Fr. Byron Haaland, SCJ, died on July 2, 2026. 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.

Outside of an early parish assignment in St. Louis, most of Fr. Byron’s years of religious life were spent as a formation director and in retreat ministry.

“I led my first retreat when I was a deacon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St. Louis,” he said.  “The principal asked if I would give a graduation retreat.” That initial retreat was the start of a lifetime vocation.

For many years Fr. Byron’s 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.  “We focused on getting information to teachers, administrators, counselors and parents to help them understand how alcohol and drugs affect children.”

Out of that experience came a retreat series that Fr. Byron developed for adult children of alcoholics. He spent eight years presenting the retreat around the country, including at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, where it was done as a part of the continuing education program.

He also presented retreats to participants in Alcoholics 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 SHSST, 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.

Reflecting on his own vocation, Fr. Byron wrote that “As a follower of Christ, I try to serve people where they need to be served, honoring and embracing their story no matter who they are and no matter where they come from. People are to be accepted, honored and affirmed.

“That is the spirituality of the SCJs, and that is my spirituality. You can’t get any better than that.” (dehonianusa.org)