Fr. Thomas Byrne, C.S.Sp. of Bethel Park, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, died peacefully December 5, 2019 at Libermann Hall, Bethel Park PA. He was 81 years old.

Fr. Byrne was born July 14, 1938 in New York City. He professed his vows as a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit on August 22, 1959 at Holy Ghost Novitiate in Ridgefield CT and was ordained to the Priesthood October 8, 1964 at St. Mary’s Seminary, Ferndale in Norwalk CT.
 
Fr. Byrne was first appointed to Gerard High School, Phoenix AZ in 1965 for two years and then Notre Dame High School in Riverside CA until 1970. In succeeding years, he ministered at Immaculate Heart Parish in Lake Charles LA as well as at Duquesne University as chaplain. In the early 1980s, he worked in San Antonio as part of the formation team and the Oblate School of Theology.

In 1985 he moved to Chicago and served in the formation program at the Catholic Theological Union. From 1989-1993, he taught in Houston at St. Mary’s Seminary and the University of St. Thomas. He then served as chaplain at the Memorial Herman Hospital from 1993-1995. He was appointed pastor of St. Philip Neri in Houston TX until 2000 when he became pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway AR.

In 2007, he went into semi-retirement and was chaplain to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston until his full retirement in 2012. He came to Libermann Hall in Bethel Park PA and was Archivist as well as leading weekly Scripture classes at the Spiritan Center until 2017.

Fr. Byrne was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Sarah Agnes McAward Byrne and siblings, Patricia, Eileen, Ursula and Donald. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Dallera of Charlotte NC, nieces, nephews and extended family members.

There will be viewing in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at the Spiritan Center, 6230 Brush Run Road, Bethel Park on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 from 9-10:45 am, with the Funeral Mass being celebrated at 11 am. Burial will take place at a later time at the Calvary Cemetery in Queens NY.

In memory of Fr. Byrne, donations may be made to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit designated for retirement or for the educations of future Holy Spirit Fathers and Brothers, 6230 Brush Run Road, Bethel Park PA 15102.