A senior leader at The Saint Paul Seminary will take on a new endeavor: challenging young Catholics, through relational ministry, to follow Christ and embrace a life of community in the Church.
Tom Ryan, vice president of advancement, will join NET Ministries as the president of its newly formed NET Ministries Foundation. Ryan has spent the past 17 years helping advance the seminary’s mission to provide integrated, Catholic formation for those called to serve as priests, deacons or lay leaders in their local Church.
“I am very proud of, and grateful for, the great work that has taken place during my time at the seminary,” Ryan said. “When I look back, I think ‘Wow, a lot of amazing things have happened here.’ At the same time, you realize you’re just one person. I have been blessed to serve with remarkable board members, rectors, faculty, colleagues and a phenomenal advancement team. It’s tough saying goodbye, but in the end, I’m just going to another place in God’s vineyard.”
Hired in 2005 by then-Rector Msgr. Aloysius Callaghan, Ryan has been part of the seminary leadership team during a period of remarkable growth. His tenure has seen enrollment expand from 100 seminarians to 1,000 future priests, deacons and laymen and women in formation annually.
During this time, the seminary’s advancement efforts secured more than $100 million in funding, including two capital campaigns and the establishment of four new institutes. Its endowment has more than doubled in the past decade.
“We can’t express enough gratitude for Tom’s 17 years of enthusiastic, faithful service to The Saint Paul Seminary,” seminary Rector Fr. Joseph Taphorn said. “While our entire community is sad to see him go, Tom’s heart for Christ and His Church will greatly benefit NET as it seeks to help young Catholics grow in their faith.”
Ryan will remain at The Saint Paul Seminary through March 31, 2023. A national search for the seminary’s next leader of institutional advancement will begin immediately.