Death of Father Kayda

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Reverend Kevin Lee Kayda. He died unexpectedly at the home of his parents in Carlisle on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

 Fr. Robert M. Gillelan, Jr., Diocesan Administrator said, “The loss of any life is a tragedy, but the death of a beloved young priest is an especially difficult loss to bear.  St. John of the Cross helps us to navigate this difficult passage when he says, ‘And I saw a river over which every soul must pass to reach the kingdom of heaven and the name of that river was suffering … and then I saw a boat which carried souls across the river and the name of that boat was love.’  May we feel the consolation of God’s love for Fr. Kayda and his family.  May God’s love for us be the boat that carries us across the river of suffering to his heavenly kingdom.”

Father Kayda was ordained a Priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg on June 1, 2013 at St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg by Bishop William Waltersheid, Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh and a former priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg. He began his priestly ministry on June 17 with an assignment as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish, New Freedom, Pa.

Biographical Information

Father Kayda was 28 years of age. He was born in 1985 in Lancaster, Pa to Kevin and Laura Kayda. He attended St. Patrick elementary school in Carlisle and graduated from Carlisle High School. He did his college work at Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV and St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA and attended Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmittsburg, MD graduating in 2013.

Funeral Information

The funeral for Father Kayda is expected to be held at Saint Patrick Church, Carlisle. Arrangements will be released as they become available.

Prayers are requested for the soul of Father Kevin Kayda and for the comfort of his family and friends. May God grant him eternal rest.

---

Message taken from St. John the Baptist Facebook Page:

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the unexpected death of Fr Kevin Kayda. Please pray for Fr Kevin and for his family at this time. A special Mass will take place this evening, Friday, October 4, 2013 at 7 PM in the Main Church of Saint John the Baptist parish. All are invited to come and pray. - Fr Joshua Brommer