A Catholic priest ordained in 1976, Father Patrick Ryan has served as pastor, associate pastor, and parochial vicar in various churches within the Diocese of Paterson in New Jersey. Most recently, he spent 7 years at St. James of the Marches Church. In addition to holding various positions with the Diocese of Paterson in New Jersey, Father Patrick Ryan has served as a police chaplain for the Rockaway Borough Police Department in New York and the Passaic County Sheriff Department. In recognition of his work following 9/11, he was given a proclamation by the City Council of New York and featured in the October 2001 Washington Post.

Father Ryan attended New York Theological Seminary, where he received a doctor of divinity in 2009. He holds a master of divinity from St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore, a master of science in education from the College of St. Rose, and a master of theology from St. Bernard's Institute. A strong supporter of academics and education, he served two terms on the Diocese of Paterson’s Education Council. He stays active by walking several miles a day, and enjoys kayaking off the coast of Maine during the summer.