Reverend Father Blaise Baran

Beloved brother, uncle, and great-uncle
Reverend Father Blaise Baran, age 68, passed into eternal life on April 23, 2023.

Father Blaise was born on December 29, 1954, in Staten Island, New York to Blazie Baran and Jean Battaglia Baran. He was the oldest of six children and is survived by five siblings: Theresa Pizzo, Jacquelyn Burmeister, Frank Baran, Carla Baran, Peter Baran. He is also survived by nine nephews, four nieces, five great-nephews and two great-nieces.

Father Blaise was Ordained to the priesthood in 1982 for the Scalabrinian Missionaries. He served Saint Kevin Church in Dee Why, a suburb of Sydney, Australia as well as missions in South America. He transferred to the Dioceses of Metuchen in 1987. There he served at Saint Andrew Parish, Avenel; Saint Paul the Apostle Parish, Highland Park; and Saint Philip and James Parish, Philipsburg. Incardinated in 1991, he served as Pastor at Saint Ann Parish, Raritan, Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex, and Saint Joseph Parish, Washington.

While serving in the dioceses of Metuchen, he was Chaplin for the Knights of Columbus. Father Blaise was also instrumental in bringing youth programs to his parishes. He was a mentor to Scouts, which he was a member of in his own youth. He initiated the Discovery Day Retreat for young teenagers involved in the parish Religious Education program.

In 2015, he relocated to the Diocese of Las Vegas and was named Parochial Administrator of La Virgen de Guadalupe Parish, Mesquite, Nevada. Father Blaise was also a charter member of the first Faithful Friar of the Fr. Emil Kapuan Assembly. He also served as Chaplain of the Mesquite Council of the Knights of Columbus. It was under Father Blaise's leadership, the Mesquite council achieved Double Star Council, the highest award that the Knights of Columbus gives to a council, which was among his very many accomplishments in service to his vocation.

Father Blaise's mission was to allow the Spirit to guide and direct his decision making throughout every aspect of his vocation, and that his family remain United in the Eucharist, here on Earth, and together reach eternal salvation with Christ, our Lord.

Vigil for Father Blaise Baran will be held Friday May 5, 2023, at 10:00 AM followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM in Saint Joseph Church, 200 Carlton Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882-1205 (908) 689-0058.

Donations to the memory of Father Blaise Baran can be made to benefit the Capital Campaign at Saint Joseph Church.