A significant step on the path to priesthood
By Dc. Tom Cuskey, editor
The Diocese of Syracuse is in the midst of the 2024 ordination season, when the Sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred on men dedicating their lives to the Lord through service to his Church. It started earlier in May at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with the ordination of eight permanent deacons and will come to an apex with the ordination of two men to the priesthood on Saturday, June 1.
From left, Deacon Joseph Ryan, Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Cunningham, Bishop Doulas J. Lucia, Deacon John Brusa III.
Nestled between these two sacramental events, and not to be overlooked, was the ordination of two men to the Order of Deacon as transitional deacons with hopeful ordination to the priesthood in June 2025. The sacrament was conferred upon seminarians John Brusa III and Joseph Ryan during a liturgy at St. Patrick’s Church in Binghamton, Deacon Ryan’s home parish.
Rev. Mr. Ryan studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. Rev. Mr. Brusa is from Holy Family Parish in Fairmount and studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia was the principal celebrant of the ordination Mass, well attended by priests and deacons throughout the diocese.
“My brothers, John and Joseph, on this Pentecost eve, you come before the church to offer yourself as a sacrament,” Bishop offered during his homily, “as a manifestation, an outward sign of the living Gospel for all people to hear, through the gift of Holy Orders.”
Bishop also challenged the men. “My brothers, please do not procrastinate in your daily prayer life or in responding to God’s call to be of service to others each day … Do the will of God from the heart.”
Inspired by pastors
Both new deacons mentioned their home parish pastors when questioned about their inspiration to do the will of God as their life’s vocation.
The newly ordained transitional deacons receive the fraternal embrace of Deacon Bemjamin Schrantz who be ordained June 1 to the priesthood.
“My pastor Fr. John Manno and seminary professor Msgr. Michael Heintz have inspired me and encouraged me greatly in my vocation,” Brusa said. “Their example of joyfully living out their priesthood is nothing short of infectious.”
Likewise, Ryan pointed to Msgr. John Putano, “my home pastor,” as a “wonderful mentor and witness over the years.”
Family has also been a source of great inspiration and support for each of the men.
“My friends and family were surprised at first when I entered seminary,” Ryan said. “However, they have lifted me up, supported me and prayed for me over these last seven years. I really could not be where I am now without their love and support.”
Brusa echoed those comments. “My family, friends and parishioners support me so much by their prayers. It’s amazing and humbling how often someone will tell me that they are praying for me.”
Tears of joy
The immediate families of the two seminarians filled the front pews of the church, across the center aisle from one another. The first question we posed to Joanne Brusa, mother of Deacon John Brusa III, was a simple one, or so it seemed.
CSun: “On this beautiful day, what does it mean to you to be here for this important step?”
The Brusa family
Mrs. Brusa: “You’re going to make me cry already!”
After a brief laugh and moment of composure, Mrs. Brusa said, “I’m very proud of him that he is answering God’s call. He’s open to hearing it and has answered it, and so this is a joyous day for us.” Her husband John echoed her sentiments, saying, “I feel overjoyed that our son is giving back to the church. It’s something that we’ve always looked forward to from our family, whatever their vocation would be. And this is a very special vocation.”
Deacon Ryan’s father, Thomas, says of his son that “He’s found his path.” He added that during a Holy Hour held the evening before the ordination, someone remarked that Joseph was “either going to be a great politician or a great priest.” Obviously pleased that the priesthood is his chosen vocation, his family recognized very early on that there was something special about their son. His mother, Susan, told us that when Joseph was just two years old, during Mass at their Newark Valley parish, during the Sign of Peace, “he went around to every single person” in the choir loft where families with young children would sit during Mass.
A final year of study and diaconal service
The Ryan family
Both men have one more year of rigorous study at their respective seminaries to complete the academic requirements of the priesthood. There is time, however, for each to be able to experience the liturgical faculties of the diaconate.
“I look forward to preaching and baptizing,” Brusa said, citing the example of Philip the Deacon in the first reading proclaimed at the ordination mass. “Especially after taking a year of homiletics practica, it will be great to deliver a homily for real.”
Ryan agreed with his brother deacon. “I look forward to preaching the Gospel to the people I serve and bringing them the Good News of the Lord. The Word of God is a rich font of nourishment and prayer for the people.”
Bishop Lucia told the men that through their diaconal service in the coming year, they are a “much needed and purposeful sign of God’s presence alive in the world today.” Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, he reminded the ordinands that they are charged to emulate Christ, the Deacon, in “accomplishing the mission of love in the church.”
