Pax Christi pastor passes away

Father J. Michael Byron, pastor at Pax Christi Catholic Community in Eden Prairie since 2018, died early Friday morning, May 20. He was 62.

According to a message to Pax Christi parishioners sent by parish director Carol Bishop, Father Byron returned from a pilgrimage to Greece on Wednesday night not feeling well and was admitted to the hospital.

He had developed an infection that didn’t respond to treatment and “was called home to God,” Bishop said.

Funeral plans are pending with Father Byron’s family.

“We are hurting, but we are also deeply grateful that Fr. Mike has been part of our journey at Pax Christi,” Bishop said in the message posted on the church’s website. “He devoted his life to God, and we rejoice that he now sees God face-to-face.”

Pax Christi Catholic Community, 12100 Pioneer Trail, will gather for prayer in memory of Father Byron at 7 p.m. Friday. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served to ensure that parishioners have time to talk, grieve and share. The service will be live-streamed as well.

Before coming to Pax Christi, Byron had been pastor at St. Pascal Baylon Catholic Church in East St. Paul since 2012.

The Edina native graduated with an economics degree from St. John’s University in 1981. He spent four years working at a bank before entering the seminary in 1985. He was ordained in 1989.

Besides serving as a pastor, he has spent time teaching, most recently at the St. Paul Seminary.