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Fr Joseph Ryan
Vicar General (VG)
Beathaisneis - Biography
Fr Joseph RYAN
* Born 28th November 1975
* Education - Primary: Scarriff National School, SCARRIFF, Co. Clare
- Secondary: St Mary's College, Galway
- 3rd Level - Milltown Institute of Theology & Philosophy, Dublin
- Seminary - St Patrick's College, THURLES, Co Tipperary
* Ordained - 28th. November 1999
* Previous Pastoral Appointments include Galway, Carlow and Tipperary before current appointment to Clare in 2001
* Currently Resident In Ennis, Co Clare
* Under jurisdiction of Archbishop Phillip ZIMMERMAN, Diocese of The Holy Trinity, USA
* Appointed Vicar General to Archbishop Niall Sheridan, RSJ
Coat Of Arms
Fr Ryan's achievement of arms, as presented, is symbolically representative of his beliefs and ministry.
Central to the presentation of arms - as in ones priestly life - is the Eucharist, and around which all else develops in ministry.
Directly above the Eucharist is a sable (black) Paschal sheep with Cross staff. In ecclesiastical terms, the Paschal Lamb is symbolic of faith, innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity and of a resolute spirit.
In choosing the sable (black) sheep, one only needs be reminded that sable indicates constancy and grief, symbolic of the people to whom Fr Ryan shall continue to minister.
On either side of the Eucharist are the symbols of Alpha and Omega (beginning and end) and is an appellation of God in the Book of Revelation (verses 1:8, 21:6, and 22:13).
Its meaning is found in the fact that Alpha (?) and Omega (?) are respectively the first and last letters of the Classical (Ionic) Greek alphabet.
This would be similar to referring to someone in English as 'the A to Z'. Thus, twice when the title appears it is further clarified with the additional title 'the Beginning and the End' (21:6, 22:13).
Revelation 1: 8 in the King James Version says, 'I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.'
This verse referring to God as the 'Alpha and Omega' does not receive support from some of the oldest Greek manuscripts, including the Alexandrine, Sinaitic, and Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus.
It is, therefore, omitted in some modern translations. This symbol was suggested by the Apocalypse, where many believe that Christ, as well as the Father, is 'the First and the Last'; "the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end".
This phrase is interpreted by many Christians to mean that Jesus existed from the beginning of time (as the second person of the Trinity), and will exist eternally.
Above both letters of the Alpha and Omega are the branches of palm, serving to remind us of the final earthly journey of Christ on Palm Sunday, leading into Holy Week.
It is a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that was offered for us by Christ and for which we are eternally indebted. We should remind oursleves of our duty to Him and His people and never fear to carry out such Christian obligations - no matter the cost.
Underneath Alpha and Omega are two shells which are symbolic of St James, serving to remind us that we are also pilgrim people in faith and life.
Directly under the Eucharist is a yellow star which symbolises the area of Europe which will now serve as Fr Ryans area of responsibilty as Vicar General.
The border of the shield is in sable (black), and both dexter and sinister sides have the tassels of the black Capa Romana accorded to a Vicar General on the helm of the achievement draping on their respective sides.
Fr Ryan chose as his motto Ministrare Non Ministri (To Serve, Not To Be Served).