Spirited Irish priest beloved by his parishioners

Priests and parishioners alike – some traveling from as far as Cincinnati – attended the Funeral Mass for Father John Ryan Jan. 21 at St. Anthony Church in Lafitte, his beloved parish for 27 years. Father Ryan died Jan. 12 of complications from diabetes at age 72.

The Mass was livestreamed so his surviving siblings in Ireland – brother Patrick and sisters Ita Goff and Ina Martin – could watch.

“He exemplified service,” said parish volunteer and lector Debra Kerner, who attended the Mass with her daughter, Cecilia Barrios, a parish organist and singer, and granddaughter Cassie Barrios, an altar server with Father Ryan.

“He was a true servant and so compassionate,” Kerner said, recalling him spending hours visiting and delivering Communion to sick parishioners. “He was happy being a priest and serving people. He would serve people to the detriment of himself. He was like our family member.”

Father Ryan presided at the weddings of her three children and baptized all 10 grandchildren.

Made time for anyone

Kerry Lauricella, who offered words of remembrance, said his family and several friends converted to Catholicism because of Father Ryan’s influence.

Lauricella first encountered Father Ryan more than a decade ago when he saw a man wearing a sweater while cutting grass during the summer. Thinking it odd, Lauricella pulled over. They began a conversation, and Lauricella realized he was talking to a Catholic priest.

Father Ryan immediately stopped cutting the grass and brought him to the parish rectory, where Lauricella mentioned that his father, a former evangelical preacher in Harahan, had recently died and he found himself lost. Father Ryan invited Lauricella and his family to Mass, knowing they weren’t Catholic, and even celebrated a Mass for Lauricella’s father.
“Your actions cause ripple effects,” Lauricella said. “Because of Father Ryan, I am standing here Catholic.”

A close friendship developed and included an “angel mission,” where silver medallions of the Blessed Mother – that Lauricella bought and Father Ryan blessed – would be distributed to the sick. They also had a pact that whoever died first would give the other a humdinger of a funeral.

“Father Ryan was the real deal,” Lauricella said. “There is little doubt in my mind. He was absolutely called by God. He touched many people. I’m proud to call Father Ryan my friend, my priest.”

Beloved by all

“The priesthood fit him like a glove,” said Msgr. Harry Bugler, pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish in Metairie, in the homily. Born in the same county in Ireland as Father Ryan – County Tipperary – Msgr. Bugler said Father Ryan was the first person to welcome him to New Orleans in 1973.

“John Ryan was a wonderful, welcoming presence in my life,” he said.

Msgr. Bugler called Father Ryan a faithful and compassionate priest who was a “true father to many.” The twinkle in his eye revealed his character, as did his deep love for his mother, Ireland, traveling and history.

“Always affable, possessing a great zest for life,” Msgr. Bugler said.

Recounting the annual blessing of the boat fleet, Msgr. Bugler said Father Ryan would be “sporting his priestly stole – a container of holy water in one hand, a can of beer in the other – and wearing a knowing, mischievous smile.”

His favorite flower was a rose, a passion acquired from his mother. In fact, Msgr. Bugler mentioned that he hid cuttings from his mother’s Irish rose garden in a book to pass customs. The roses bloomed well in Lafitte, and Father Ryan readily shared them with his beloved parishioners.

“John Ryan was friends with everybody in all of his parishes,” Msgr. Bugler said. “He was honored to be an extension of your families.”

Msgr. Bugler urged everyone to pass on Father Ryan’s generosity and “do something really nice for somebody else. Go out of your way to do something outrageous.”

Archbishop Gregory Aymond, the principal celebrant, sprinkled Father Ryan’s simple casket with holy water and incensed it.

He pointed out several things that were certain about Father Ryan. He answered God’s call to be a priest with his whole heart. He ministered to the sick and emptied himself for the people of God and showed an incredible zeal for serving God’s people.

Archbishop Aymond expressed his gratitude for Father Ryan and consoled those present by saying his generous, caring spirit continues on in the people.

“We have a responsibility to do that for others,” Archbishop Aymond said.

A man for others

Several parishioners remembered Father Ryan coming to Louisiana upon the invitation of former Archbishop Philip Hannan while he was visiting Ireland. Ryan was then a seminarian at All Hallows Seminary College in Dublin and accepted his invitation.

He finished seminary training at Notre Dame Seminary and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1974.

Father Ryan served the archdiocese as associate pastor at St. Louis King of France and St. Christopher the Martyr in Metairie, and St. Rita Church in Harahan; administrator at St. Jerome in Kenner; and pastor at Prince of Peace in Chalmette, St. Anthony in Lafitte and, finally, at St. Gertrude in Des Allemands.

“He was a kind and generous priest,” said St. Anthony parishioner Sandra Ory, who considered Father Ryan a family friend. “All you had to do was say where or when, and Father Ryan was there for you.”

“We have to be grateful for the times God gave us with him,” Kerner said.

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