Ryan Stawaisz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1 June 2019 by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ryan Andrew Stawaisz August 18, 1989 |
| Died | June 21, 2021 (aged 31) Tomball, Texas, United States |
Ryan Andrew Stawaisz (18 August 1989 – 21 June 2021) was an American Roman Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. [1] [2]
Biography
Stawaisz was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on 18 August 1989 to Ray and Susan Stawaisz. He had only one brother, Ross. [1] Despite not being of Scottish descent, he developed a love for the Scottish countryside and traditions, especially the bagpipes. [2] He loved serving at Church, enjoying sports, going hunting, spending time with his family, and was an Eagle Scout. [2]
He attended Texas A&M University and studied Petroleum Engineering as a member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2011. [1] [2] During his studies, Stawaisz was diagnosed [a] with cancer and spent months fighting the disease after which he eventually recovered. After joining a Catholic retreat (Aggie Awakening Retreat), he began discerning the vocation to priesthood. [2]
After graduating from college, Stawaisz declined employment opportunities in order to fully discern his priestly vocation. [2] He entered Saint Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana, where he earned a degree in philosophy. He pursued his studies further at Saint Mary's Seminary in Houston, Texas, and shortly before his ordination, he received another cancer diagnosis. [b] [4] Despite his diagnosis, he was ordained to the diaconate and eventually to the priesthood on 1 June 2019. [1]
He began his priestly ministry at Prince of Peace Catholic Church as a parochial vicar. [1] While undergoing medical treats, which, at times, causes him to be confined in hospital facilities, he continued performing his ministries, being passionate about increasing vocational awareness in the diocese and celebrating the sacraments. [1]
Stawaisz died on 21 June 2021, with the reputation for holiness. [1] [2] He was regarded as "a young priest who touched the hearts of many and embraced God’s will after receiving a life-altering diagnosis." [4]
Legacy
A film entitled Love God's Will: The True Story of Fr. Ryan Stawaisz was produced by Palomita Films in memory of Stawaisz. [4] [5] It explores his life witnessed by a number of other people who knew him personally and the possibility of introducing his cause for beatification. [4] [5]
Notes
- ^ Stawaisz explained his first diagnosis as follows: "In December 2009 I was diagnosed with a sarcoma (muscle tissue cancer) located in my right hip. I received chemotherapy and radiation treatments and in September 2010 my surgeon resected the tumor with clear margins. My life regained some normalcy as I finished my 3 remaining semesters at Texas A&M University and shortly after I entered diocesan seminary. While in seminary, I observed routine checkups and scans and remained in good health." [3]
- ^ Stawaisz explained his second diagnosis as follows: "A few days after Easter, on April 23, 2019 I woke up in the middle of the night trying to catch my breath. Over the next two days, this symptom began to worsen, leading me to see my family doctor on April 26. A chest X-ray showed a mass, approximately 3.5 cm, in my right lung along with considerable fluid. Over the next few days, I consulted with the doctors who had treated me for the sarcoma years before. On May 2, I had the fluid withdrawn from around my lung and a needle biopsy which later confirmed that the tumor was malignant and was indeed a recurrence of the spindle cell sarcoma." [3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Sean O'Driscoll (14 September 2021). "Catholic Chaplain Corps responds to the sick, dying when family can't". Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "RIP Fr. Ryan Stawaisz - Beloved Catholic Priest Dies after Long Battle with Cancer at Age 31". Catholic News World. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Fr. Ryan Stawaisz". CaringBridge. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d Francesca Pollio Fenton (6 April 2024). "New film tells inspiring story of young priest who left a lasting impact". Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Love God's Will: The True Story of Fr. Ryan Stawaisz". Palomita Films. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
External links
- Fr. Ryan Stawaisz: Trust in God at YouTube
- Father Ryan Andrew Stawaisz at Legacy.com
- Remembering Fr. Ryan Stawaisz at Vimeo
