Rev. Jody John Baran

The Reverend Jody John Baran, 57, Parochial Vicar of St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in Passaic, New Jersey, fell asleep in the Lord at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ on Saturday, July 31, 2021.

                The son of John and Amelia (Schmeer) Baran, Father Jody was born on August 13, 1963 in Hazleton, PA. Following primary and secondary education in Beaver Meadows and Hazleton he pursued studies for the priesthood at Duquesne University and the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, in Pittsburgh PA.

            He was ordained to the priesthood on May 14, 1989 and served parishes in New York City, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, and Swoyersville, all in Pennsylvania. Most recently, he served at St Michael’s Cathedral, Passaic along with the parish communities of Woodland Park, Flanders, and Mahwah NJ. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities at the Cathedral, Father Jody also taught for several years at St Nicholas Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parochial School in Passaic, NJ.

            Father Jody was very active in the Knights of Columbus. He was currently the Chaplain of the Juan Perez Council #262 of Passaic, NJ, where he also had the distinction of being Past Grand Knight, as well as District Deputy. He was also serving as Friar of the Monsignor Stein Fourth Degree Assembly, Paterson, NJ; the Assistant Friar of the First NJ District of the Fourth Degree; and the Chaplain of the Paterson Federation.

            Father Jody was predeceased by his parents, John and Amelia, as well as by his brothers Darius and Charles. He is survived by his sister Carol Lee Shellock and his brother Joseph, and fifteen nieces and nephews, Stephen, LoraLee, Kimberly, Charlie, John, Brian, Amelia, Holly, Benjamin, Melissa, Louren, Leigh, Vincent, Patrick and Paul.. 

            Fr. Jody’s remains will be received at St Michael Cathedral Chapel, 445 Lackawanna Ave., Woodland Park, NJ, on Thursday, August 5th, at 3PM with the Panachida service.  Visitation will continue until 7PM when the first portion of the Funeral for a Priest will be served.

            On Friday, August 6th, the second portion of the Funeral for a Priest will be served at St Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 227 E Beech St, Hazleton, PA, at 6:30PM. Visitation will be from 5:30PM to 6:30PM.

            A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Panachida and Pouring of Oil will be served by Bishop Kurt Burnette on Saturday, August 7th at St Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Hazleton at 9:30 AM. Visitation will begin at 8:30AM. Interment will follow at Sts Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Beaver Meadows, PA.

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