Woman serves as parish lay minister for 27 years

Intermountain Catholic

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Betty Byrne served as a secretary for 27 years at St. Olaf Parish under three priests. She loved her job.IC photo by Christine young

BOUNTIFUL — The variety of work and a sense of family in the workplace kept Betty Byrne at St. Olaf Parish for 27 years. She served as the parish secretary under three priests from Jan. 1, 1982 until April 30, 2009.

But she was called back to work this past fall to train the new secretary.

Betty immigrated to the United States from Ireland to Chicago, Ill., in 1957. She moved to Utah from Chicago in 1978 with her husband, Pat, to get away from the cold weather.

"We didn't realize we would be moving to a snowy climate, and sold our snow mobile," said Betty. "We were surprised. We didn't know that much about Utah. Pat Byrne, Betty's husband, worked for United Airlines and retired after 32 years.

"When we got married our families were still in Ireland so we received many telegrams and most of our gifts were Mass intensions. I believe we have been living off the graces of all those Masses for all these years," said Betty.

Betty and Pat have two children: a daughter, Patricia, and a son, John. Before the airlines became so crowded, they used to travel more often back to Ireland where her Catholic upbringing all began. Betty grew up going to Catholic School with the Sisters of Mercy as her teachers, whom she said were very good.

"I started volunteering at the rectory when the late Oblate of St. Francis de Sales Father Thomas McNamara coached me to come on board," said Betty. "Fr. McNamara loved his full title.

"I have never regretted a day of working here," said Betty as she began to get emotional. "I have loved this job. It has been my second home. I looked forward to coming into work every day.

"I was lucky to work under these three priests who were all very good and kind," she said. "I never had a problem with any of them. Each had their different strengths."

Fr. McNamara was at St. Olaf from 1976 to 1885. Father William M. Mobley served at St. Olaf from 1985 to 1987. Father Rudolph Daz came to St. Olaf in 1987, and became a monsignor in 2001. Msgr. Daz has been the pastor at St. Olaf for 22 years.

Betty said she also began at St. Olaf when at least six Daughters of Charity were still teaching at St. Olaf School and living where the parish offices are now located.

Betty said she liked the variety of her job. No two days were ever the same. She liked working with the people of the parish, those who came to visit, and the visiting priests.

"I worked with Msgr. Daz the longest and I think so highly of him," said Betty. "He is a very holy and prayerful priest.

"I love this parish family. We are all brother and sisters," said Betty.

"My faith has been the most important thing in my life," said Betty. "God has been very good to me and my family."