Fr. Ryan

Father James William Ryan was born August 31, 1937, at Rochester, Minnesota. He was the son of Eugene and Rose (Remrick) Ryan. Father Ryan was raised in Minnesota where he attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona from 1960-63. He then attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri, from 1963-65. He entered Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, to study for the priesthood. The Most Reverend Loras J. Watters ordained him a priest for the Diocese of Bismarck, on March 21, 1970, at the Church of St. Francis in Rochester, Minnesota. Father Ryan?s first assignment in the Diocese of Bismarck was as assistant pastor at the Church of St. Mary, New England, from 1970-71. He then became assistant pastor at the Church of St. Mary, Bismarck, for two months. In April 1971, he was appointed administrator of the Church of the Holy Cross, Douglas, and its mission, the Church of St. Charles, Ryder, where he served for three months. Father Ryan was appointed assistant pastor at the Church of St. Leo, Minot, from July 1971 to 1973. He served as chaplain of the Catholic Student Center at Minot State College form 1973-84. He also served as chaplain and Director of Religious Education of Minot Ryan High School, Minot, from June 1977 to September 1978. Father Ryan continued as chaplain at Minot Ryan High School from July 1980 to July 1986. In July 1984, Father Ryan was appointed administrator/pastor at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Burlington, until July 1986, at which time he was appointed pastor of the Church of St. Bonaventure, Underwood, and its mission, the Church of St. Catherine, Turtle Lake, where he served until June 2000. He was then appointed pastor of the Church of Queen of Peace, Dickinson, and served there until July 2002, when he was appointed pastor of the Church of St. Nicholas, Garrison, and its missions, the Church of Immaculate Conception, Max and the Church of the Sacred Heart, White Shield. Father Ryan served there until the time of his death.


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