WHEREAS, Father Michael G. Ryan is stepping down as Pastor of St. James Cathedral after thirty-seven extraordinary years of faithful service;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan was born just a block away from the Cathedral at Columbus Hospital, later Cabrini Hospital;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan grew up on Queen Anne Hill, attended St. Anne School for eight years, and traversed Queen Anne Hill on his bicycle delivering newspapershis first job;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan, feeling called to the priesthood, headed off to St. Edward's Seminary at the age of 14, before going to Rome to the North American College, where he was able to experience first hand the unfolding of the Second Vatican Council;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan was ordained a priest at St. Peter's Basilica on December 17, 1966;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan filled many roles on returning from Rome, including assistant priest at St. Patrick's Parish, Tacoma, Vocation Director, Pastor in the San Juan Islands, and Chancellor and Vicar General under Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen;

WHEREAS, Archbishop Hunthausen appointed him pastor of St. James Cathedral in 1988;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan raised $9 million and oversaw a remarkable renovation and restoration of the Cathedral in 1994;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan with his staff have transformed a beloved old Cathedral into a stunning space for liturgy, music, and the arts, earning for St. James Cathedral a national reputation;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan has kept outreach to the poor at the very center of St. James Cathedral's mission, with ministries serving the hungry, the unhoused, the immigrant and refugee;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan has reached out to the larger community in countless ways over the years, collaborating with ecumenical and interfaith partners, especially at times of national tragedy;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan has touched the lives of tens of thousands of people with his zeal, his energy, his compassion, and his powerful and prophetic preaching;

WHEREAS, Father Ryan has worked tirelessly for thirty-seven years to make St. James Cathedral a place where every resident of Seattle and beyond has a home;

NOW, THEREFORE,

THE MAYOR AND THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL PROCLAIM SUNDAY, JUNE 29, TO BE

In Honor of Father Michael G. Ryan on his Retirement

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Mayor Bruce A. Harrell Council President Sara Nelson

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Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth Councilmember Robert E. Kettle

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Councilmember Cathy Moore Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck

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Councilmember Rob Saka Councilmember Mark Solomon