Rev. Joseph P. Ryan, S.T.L.

Father Joseph Ryan is the Parochial Vicar of Spirit of Hope Parish which is in Oneida, Canastota, Sherrill, Vernon, and Verona Beach. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse in June of 2025 and is a native son of St. Patrick’s Parish in Binghamton.

 

Fr. Ryan is from the Westside of Binghamton and a 2017 graduate of Seton Catholic Central. After high school, he studied political science at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He entered seminary after his freshman year of college and was sent to Cathedral Seminary House of Formation and St. John’s University in Queens. During his college seminary years, he served in campus ministry at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington. In 2020, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (B.A.) with a minor in Classics.

 

Fr. Ryan was then sent to St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, America’s first Catholic seminary founded in 1791 by the Sulpician Fathers. While in Baltimore, he served in hospital and catechetical ministries as well as the manager of the seminary bar. Between his second and third theology years, he was assigned to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Baldwinsville for pastoral year. In 2025, he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.), a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) in Moral Theology. Fr. Ryan’s licentiate thesis was on the topic of friendship and the moral life and was titled: Deep Calls to Deep: Friendship in the Thought of St. Thomas Aquinas and Martin Buber. After his graduation from St. Mary’s, Fr. Ryan was ordained for the Diocese of Syracuse.

 

Fr. Ryan began his assignment to Spirit of Hope Parish, led by Fr. Christopher Ballard, in July of 2025. Alongside performing his duties as Parochial Vicar, he teaches Morality at Holy Cross Academy and Religion at St. Patrick’s School in Oneida. He is a fan of Notre Dame Football and an advocate for Catholic Education. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, skiing, and reading.