Priest elevated to shepherd of parish he first served in formation

NEW BRUNSWICK — In the same house of worship where he served as a transitional deacon 30 years ago, Father Thomas F. Ryan was elevated to pastor of Holy Family Parish at a Mass of Installation May 29. Holy Family includes the former Sacred Heart Church, now a worship site.

Much has occurred in Father Ryan’s life since his formation at Sacred Heart. He has served at several parishes as a parochial vicar and pastor and held numerous leadership positions for the diocese.

Over the years, Father Ryan has also faced challenges, learning Spanish to help serve his parishes, and the diocese’s Hispanic community; guiding a parish and surrounding community through the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy; and the near paralyzing effects of mandates issued because of COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic, which began shortly after he was named Holy Family’s administrator.

Despite the challenges, Father Ryan said his 29-year priestly ministry has been joyful. He cited times such as “bringing the presence of Jesus to those who are searching for him, the celebration of the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, and visits to the sick in their homes, hospital or other facilities.”

In his homily, Bishop Checchio told the congregation, “As we experience so many changes in our lives, too, we should take heart from the words of Jesus, that the Holy Spirit is our constant guide, mentor, protector and even prays within us.” “Even the change of pastor of this parish comes with the assurance that the Holy Spirit will renew all things in Christ for us. God desires all good for us, and doesn’t want us to fret or be fearful,” he added.

In the Rite of Installation, members of the parish’s pastoral and finance councils were introduced to Father Ryan.

The bishop then said, “Remember, my brother Thomas, always be a loving father, a gentle shepherd, and a wise teacher of your people, so that you may lead them to Christ who will strengthen all that you do. As a teacher of that faith, I ask you now to lead your people in the Profession of Faith.” Father Ryan then faced the congregation, placed his hand on the Book of Gospels and led them in reciting the Nicene Creed.

Father Ryan then recited the Oath of Fidelity, part of which says: “With firm faith I also believe everything contained in God’s Word, written or handed down in tradition…”

Bishop Checchio concluded the rite by saying, “Gracious God, you have nourished and protected your Church by providing it with pastors who are stewards of your word and sacraments. Strengthen our brother Thomas as he begins this new ministry among us, and help us all to follow your son, Jesus Christ, who is Lord, for ever and ever.”

Father Ryan was born in Staten Island, N.Y., one of five children of Thomas and Ann Marie Kelly Ryan. He was raised in Basking Ridge, where he graduated from St. James School and Oratory Preparatory School, Summit.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics with a minor in philosophy at Seton Hall University, South Orange, and a Master of Divinity Degree and a certificate in the Studies of the Roman Missal of 1962 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa.

He also earned a Certificate of Spanish Language from Malloy College in Puerto Rico and Cuernavacca Language School, Mexico.   

Father Ryan was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Emeritus Edward T. Hughes at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, May 22, 1993.

After his ordination, he served as associate pastor, Our Lady of the Mount, Warren; parochial vicar and administrator, La Asunción Parish, Perth Amboy; parochial vicar and administrator, St. John the Baptist Parish, New Brunswick; administrator, Our Lady of Hungary Parish, Perth Amboy; and pastor, Holy Trinity Parish, and St. Mary Parish, both in Perth Amboy.

One of the challenges to serving the faithful, Father Ryan said, is having openness to adapt to pastoral needs, including learning Spanish which he did at the request of Bishop Hughes.

“The grammar was a challenge but the experiences I had opened my eyes and gave me an appreciation of other cultures,” he added.

In addition to his pastoral ministry, Father Ryan has served on the diocese’s Seminary Board; as spiritual director of the Spanish Cursillo and Legion of Mary; commissioner, Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency, and as chaplain of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Commodore John Barry Division III, Perth Amboy; the Perth Amboy Fire Department, the New Jersey State Exempt Fireman’s Association; and the Hermandad del Señor de los Milagros.

In 2005, Father Ryan was invested in the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He received recognition and a nomination for the Distinguished Pastor Award by the National Catholic Educational Association in 2012.

While he was involved in multiple parish ministry in Perth Amboy in the early 2000s, Father Ryan said now as pastor of a one parish multiple church configuration, “I look forward to the dynamics of working together with parishioners of various ethnic, multigenerational and religious traditions.”    

His ability as a pastor to respond to the pastoral needs of the faithful were tested after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, then again in 2012, when Hurricane Sandy, the costliest natural disaster in the history of New Jersey, made landfall near Atlantic City.   

“Hurricane Sandy devastated portions of Sayreville when I was pastor of Our Lady of Victories [Parish],” Father Ryan recalled. “I learned to work with partner organizations to help with spiritual and corporal works of mercy in our response to the experiences of the community.   

“It was during Hurricane Sandy that I was introduced to the Disaster Operations of Catholic Charities USA. I continue as a team member for the annual disaster training coordinated by Catholic Charities USA and serve as a representative of Catholic Charites USA on the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster committee of Emotional and Spiritual Care.

Meanwhile, the challenges of the coronavirus are still present, Father Ryan said. He was in Rome when the pandemic began and arrived at Holy Family as administrator when the lockdown began.

“Feeling my way through the parish, contact with staff, introduction to community relationships was a challenge, but outreach was very much alive,” he said. “The Masses in private and later broadcast as well as use of many forms of social media were learning experiences.”

Meanwhile, the parish mobilized to collaborate with diocesan and community organizations that allowed for pastoral outreach.  As we look to the future, I look forward to continuing being a part of the excitement of how the Church continues to respond to the post-COVID experiences.”