Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev John Francis Ryan, died 9 Aug 2001

Father John Ryan, a priest whose 40 years of dedicated pastoral service left an indelible mark on the Diocese of Toowoomba, died on August 9th, 2001 after a battle with cancer. John was born in Stanthorpe on 7th July, 1933, one of two children to Michael and Annie Ryan (nee Hourigan). As a child he spent three years completing his early education through State Correspondence, followed by Primary and Secondary schooling through his local Parish school and St Joseph's, Stanthorpe. He was in the workforce a short time before entering Pius XII Provincial Seminary at Banyo for studies in Philosphy and Theology, and was part of Banyo's largest class of 20 students, which also included classmates, Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane and Father Thomas (Mick) Carroll of Miles. Father Ryan was ordained at St Joseph's, Stanthorpe, on 30th June, 1961. It was to Warwick as an Assistant Priest that he took up his first appointment in 1962, followed by St Patrick's Cathedral (1963-65); Scarborough, in the Brisbane Archdiocese, (1965-68); St Theresa's Toowoomba (1968); Warwick (1968-71); Our Lady of Lourdes Toowoomba (1971-74); Quilpie as Parish Priest (1974-77); Chinchilla as ADM (1977-79); Tara as PP (1979-82); Texas as PP (1982-85); St George as PP (1985-88); and his last appointment as Parish Priest of Helidon in 1988. Battling the effects of a serious car accident as a young priest brought struggles with health during his life. Father Ryan's exceptional administrative abilities also saw him serving the Diocese in many other capacities, as Chairman of the Council of Priests during the 1970s; as Diocesan Consultor (1969 -); a Member of the Priest's Ecumenical Commission (1979 -); a Member of the Diocesan Education Board ( since 1992); a member of the Personnel Board (1995) and as a Member of the Building and Sites Committee (1992 -). A sharp intellect enabled him to get to the core of any issue and really identify problems. His wit and turn-of-phrase was evidence of a brilliant mind that will be remembered for its scholarly and poetic way. A very pastoral man, Fr Ryan was a great visitator in his parishes to sick and elderly, and a person with the ability to unite a community and get it working together. He had a keen interest in the development of youth in his parishes and always established very active youth organisations. In 1996 he was propelled into the media spotlight because of the neighbouring Magnificat Meal Movement. His small rural Parish of Helidon doubled in size that year when dozens of families moved to join the Movement. Later when families became disillusioned with Mrs Geileskey's cult, they left the group but could no longer afford to leave the town and gradually returned to the Catholic Church. Fr Ryan's gentle, but determined, opposition to the cult was widely reported, and he became known for his pointed yet witty remarks summing up the operation. He also welcomed back, those affected, with open arms. Some of Fr Ryan's other achievements at the Helidon Parish include the instigation of the Withcott "Holy Family Church", refurbishment of St Joseph's and initiation of a St Vincent de Paul Conference. Father Ryan will be remembered by his colleagues, family and parishioners as a man of great wit, zeal and commitment, who was a priest in every fibre of his being. He was diagnosed with cancer in the November of 2000 but maintained a full-time ministry throughout intensive courses of chemotherapy and radiation. He is survived by his sister Val, brother-in-law Maurie, and their six children. Parishioners at St Joseph's Helidon held a Prayer Vigil; and Fr Ryan's funeral was held in St Patrick's Cathedral on the 14th August. He is buried in the Towoomba Garden of Remembrance.
(Ref Dioc. Archives)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.