ABOVE: The newly ordained priests are offered a fraternal kiss of peace, and often an embrace, from diocesan and visiting priests. (Sun photos | Chuck Wainwright)
Two new priests are welcomed into the Diocese of Syracuse
By Elizabeth Landry, staff writer
On the morning of June 7, hundreds of faithful from the Diocese of Syracuse could be found entering through the doors of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to the beautiful, joyous sounds of ringing bells, vibrant trumpets and voices singing in harmony. They filled the pews in the Cathedral to witness and celebrate the ordination of Fr. John F. Brusa III and Fr. Joseph P. Ryan to the priesthood. Among those processing in while the choir sang “Laudate, Laudate Dominum” were many diocesan and visiting priests as well as three bishops: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Cunningham, and Bishop Cleophas O. Tuka, of Nakuru, Kenya.
In his homily following the formal Election of the Candidates, Bishop Lucia welcomed all in attendance, saying, “What an auspicious occasion for us to gather in this upper room, to invoke the Holy Spirit to come upon John and Joseph for service in the ministerial priesthood in the Church universal.”
Bishop went on to give guidance and encouragement to the ordinands, reflecting on the significance of their acceptance of God’s call to Holy Orders.
Ordinands John Brusa III and Joseph Ryan prostrate themselves as the congregation prays during their ordination Mass.
“As St. Paul addressed the presbyters of the church of Ephesus, ‘Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, in which you tend the Church of God, that he acquired with his own blood.’ My sons, you will do this by letting the fruits of the Holy Spirit — charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity — be seen transparently in all you say, and do, and are as priests. … My brothers, not only will focusing on Jesus help quiet your souls, but it will give you the courage and strength to take up the calling He has for you. As St. Paul once wrote, ‘The love of Christ impels us to live not for ourselves, but to spend our lives following Him and obeying His will,’” Bishop said.
Parallel journeys to ordination day
As shared in our June 5 issue, neither of the newly ordained priests experienced a straightforward path to the priesthood, in which they recognized God’s calling from an early age. Rather, both Fr. Brusa and Fr. Ryan are similar in that they were intent on careers in meteorology and politics, respectively, until they attended college in pursuit of said professions and found themselves questioning their chosen paths. For Fr. Brusa, it was a social media post featuring a quote by Fulton Sheen that sparked a new direction in his journey that would culminate in his ordination, and for Fr. Ryan, it was a homily given by Cardinal Donald Weurl that changed his vocational focus and ultimately led to his priestly vows.
Although this change of plans initially came with an element of surprise for both Fr. Brusa’s and Fr. Ryan’s families, their parents expressed a great deal of joy and excitement when they shared their reflections with the Sun in anticipation of the big day.
Mr. and Mrs. John Brusa and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ryan, parents of the newly ordained priests, bring forth the Eucharistic gifts.
Fr. Brusa’s parents, John and Joanne Brusa, shared that their son has always been a problem-solver — a natural leader who is always willing to learn, works hard, and offers kindness and compassion for others.
Recalling that Fr. Brusa always had an interest in science growing up, John thought that his son may become an engineer, “but weather was his passion,” he said. “However, I was so happy he followed the Lord’s call in his teenage years to pursue the priesthood. Besides, everyone is always praying for good weather,” John added lightly.
Joanne shared that Fr. Brusa, their oldest child, was a “born leader” who was always “very focused and determined on whatever his interests were, whether it was science, the weather or fishing. We knew he’d be successful at whatever he put his mind to. However, God’s plans are always better than anything we can dream up on our own. To see John use his gifts and talents to serve the Lord and His Church is such a blessing.”
Both Thomas and Susan Ryan, Fr. Ryan’s parents, recalled that they never even had an inkling their son would be called to the priesthood, but that in retrospect, certain traits he displayed growing up seem very fitting for his vocation as a priest.
“Ever since he was a kid, he was always an organizer, always the leader of the pack. He is an old soul,” Thomas said.
“Everyone says this about their child, but he’s always been a special kid,” Susan shared. “He just always was so aware of everyone and everything around him, and just had really thoughtful things to say about the world.”
Susan recounted a story about the time when the family visited Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where Fr. Ryan eventually attended. They were standing on the steps of the nearby Basilica, right near a memorial marker that stated Pope Francis had stood in that spot when he gave his first address to American Catholics. Susan and her son were posing for a picture her friend was taking.
“I grabbed Joe’s hand and we smiled, and I swear this sounds funny, but I felt this energy come up through us from the ground. I looked up at Joe, and he looked at me, and his eyes were kind of wide. I said, ‘Did you feel something?’ and he said, ‘Yes, yes I did,’ and we just kind of laughed it off, but it was really a strange thing. … In the [following] fall, he was going to Mass regularly, [attending] daily Mass at the Basilica.”
Seven years later, reflecting on the significance of Fr. Ryan’s ordination to the priesthood, Thomas said that it’s certainly a special occasion for the entire family: “It’s pretty rare for a young man to make the choice to join the priesthood, and we couldn’t be more blessed and thrilled for Joe.”
Congregants and friends share in the joyful celebration
Fr. John Brusa gives a first blessing to a young attendee of the ordination Mass.
Witnessing the ordination prayers, rites, litanies and hymns, it seems certain that the family and friends of Fr. Brusa and Fr. Ryan, along with all the congregants gathered, felt their own faith and connection to God strengthened by the events of the Mass. The laying on of hands, in which the Bishop and all the priests in attendance approached, one by one, and laid their hands on the elect in silence, as well as the moments when the Bishop and priests greeted the newly ordained Fr. Brusa and Fr. Ryan with a fraternal kiss, kind words, and often an embrace, are visual reminders of the sanctity and holiness of the service and brotherhood of the priesthood. Another particularly poignant and meaningful moment was when both new priests were vested with the stole and chasuble for the first time: Fr. Brusa was vested by Fr. Malachi Clark and Fr. Christopher Seibt, and Fr. Ryan was vested by Msgr. John Putano and Fr. Sean O’Brien.
Touched by the events of the Mass and holding back emotion, Cynthia Rotella, of Binghamton, a parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows, and a good friend of Susan Ryan, expressed her feelings after witnessing the ordination of the two new priests.
“I’m in awe, really, in today’s world, to become a Catholic priest given all the temptations and challenges. [Fr. Ryan] just sees the light. He just gives me hope, he really does,” she said.
Jennifer Brady, mother of Ryan Brady, an altar server for the Mass, shared with the Sun that she works for a local church supply store and had gotten to know Fr. Brusa and Fr. Ryan when they had been obtaining their vestments.
“[It’s] so exciting, so happy to have both Fr. Ryan and Fr. Brusa now. … It’s so exciting to see how much they’ve grown. They’re both just very fun young men,” Brady said.
First Masses and first assignments
Bishop Tuka, Fr. John Brusa, Bishop Lucia, Fr. Joseph Ryan and Bishop Emeritus Cunningham.
As is customary, Bishop Lucia announced the first pastoral assignments of both Fr. Brusa and Fr. Ryan at the conclusion of the Ordination Mass. Effective July 1, 2025, Fr. Brusa will be parochial vicar of St. James Church in Johnson City. Also effective July 1, 2025, Fr. Ryan is appointed parochial vicar of Spirit of Hope Catholic Community, which includes St. Agatha Church, Canastota with its mission, St. Mary of the Lake, Verona Beach; St. Joseph Church, Oneida; St. Patrick Church, Oneida; St. Helena Church, Sherrill; and Holy Family Church, Vernon.
Following the announcements, Fr. Brusa and Fr. Ryan gave a blessing to each of the bishops present, and after the Mass concluded, many of those in attendance waited outside the Cathedral for blessings from the new priests, as well.
On Sunday, June 8, the newly ordained priests celebrated their first Masses at their respective home parishes: Fr. Brusa celebrated his first Mass at Holy Family Church in Fairmount, and Fr. Ryan celebrated his first Mass at St. Patrick’s Church in Binghamton.
The entire Diocese of Syracuse wishes to congratulate and offer our heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Brusa and Fr. Ryan, as well as to their parents and families, echoing Bishop Lucia’s words at the end of the Mass: “We are grateful for the gift that you have shared with the Church of Syracuse.”
