Two Local Men to Be Ordained as Priests for the Diocese of Syracuse

Syracuse, NY - Most Rev. Douglas J. Lucia, Bishop of Syracuse, will ordain John Brusa III of Syracuse and Joseph Ryan of Binghamton into the priesthood at a Mass on Saturday, June 7 at 10 AM at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Downtown Syracuse. The Mass of Ordination is open to the public and will be livestreamed on Catholic TV, https://www.youtube.com/syrdio.

Brusa, 25, is the son of John F. Brusa, Jr. and Joanne E. Newton Brusa and has four siblings: Timothy, Maria, Anthony, and Kathryn. He received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation at Holy Family in Fairmount and attended Solvay High School, where he had his own weather segment on the morning announcements. As a youth, he participated in parish ministry as an altar server and a member of the Lifeteen youth group. He served as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and was involved in the Fisherman’s Club which aims to build fraternity among young adult Catholic men as well as provide these men with the tools for mature discernment of their vocation. Brusa began his college studies at SUNY Oswego, majoring in philosophy, before transferring to St. John’s University/Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston, NY. In 2022-2023, he spent his Pastoral Year at St. Mary’s and St. Anthony’s in Cortland, St. Margaret’s in Homer, St. Lawrence Mission in DeRuyter, and St. Patrick’s Oratory in Truxton. He completed his theological studies in the spring of 2025  at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD. 

Ryan, 26, is the son of Thomas J. Ryan and Susan V. Ryan, and has three siblings: Katie, Alexander, and Margaret. He was baptized at St. John in Newark Valley, NY, and received First Communion and Confirmation at St. Bartholomew in Cape Elizabeth, ME. He attended Seton Catholic Central Jr./Sr. High School in Binghamton, where he was a member of Student Council, served as Key Club President, and was active in student philanthropy. He also volunteered at St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, served as a lector, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Ryan began his college studies at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC before transferring to St. John’s University/Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston, NY. In 2022-2023, Joseph spent his Pastoral Year at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Baldwinsville. He completed his theological studies in the spring of 2025 at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, MD.

As is customary, the newly ordained priests will receive their first pastoral assignments during the Ordination Mass.

The newly ordained priests will celebrate their first Masses on Sunday, June 8: 

- John Brusa III at Holy Family Church in Fairmount at 2 PM

- Joseph Ryan at St. Patrick’s Church in Binghamton at 2 PM. 

Media is welcome to cover the Ordination Mass or the first Masses.

For more information contact Danielle Cummings, Chancellor,/Director of Communications at 315.470.1476.