Reverend Keith Byrne, Associate Pastor
(310) 377-5571 x103
kbyrne@sjf.org

Hello to everyone at St. John Fisher,

My name is Fr. Keith Byrne. I was born and have lived most of my life in Northern Ireland (Enniskillen, County Fermanagh), which is only a few miles from the border with the Irish Republic. I have one brother and three sisters who are all living in Ireland and England.

Before entering seminary to become a priest I worked in Belfast city in administration. I then entered St. Patrick’s seminary in County Tipperary which is in southern Ireland.

In 2003 after completing my studies I decided that I would like to serve an apostolate in a different country before ordination. I decided upon the US and after applying to a few dioceses, I was offered a one-year diaconate placement in St. Anthony parish, San Gabriel.

My pastor Fr. Michael Gleeson was also from Ireland as was the associate pastor Fr. Finbar Devine, so it seemed like home from home! During the next year I settled in very quickly and started to think about getting ordained for the Los Angeles archdiocese.

Then just under a year later I was ordained on August 15th 2004. It made the day extra special for me, with it being the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother. The bishop who ordained me was also an Irishman, Bishop Thomas Curry (who is auxiliary bishop to the Santa Barbara region). I was ordained in my home parish of Enniskillen.

For my first parish I was assigned to St. Anthony’s in San Gabriel, where I had been on my Diaconate placement. I must say that for the next four years I drew great strength and reward from my ministry and from the people around me. My life as a priest in America has brought me much fulfillment especially at a time where the Church has been going through many challenges. I look forward to the future with excitement and interest in working in the Lord’s vineyard. As I begin my new assignment at St. John Fisher Parish, I am very much looking forward to meeting new people and belonging to a community of faith. I am most thankful to God for giving me this opportunity to serve his people .