Former St. Paul associate Fr. Ryba pays visit

In front of banner of St. Paul pastors are (from left) Fr. Ralph Thomas, Rosemary Mileski, Karen Cain, Fr. Charles Ryba and Ellen McAvoy

Fr. Charles J. Ryba returned to St. Paul after nearly three decades to say Mass with Fr. Ralph Thomas at 5:30 p.m. on All Souls Day. Twelve former associates at St. Paul were invited to the Mass, but Fr. Ryba was the only one who took time out of their busy schedules to attend.

He spent a good half-hour after Mass talking with parishioners who remembered him and his service at St. Paul.

Fr. Ryba, who has been pastpr of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Columbia Station since March 15, 1993, served at St. Paul 30 years ago from September 29, 1977 to June 30, 1982 during the pastorate of Fr. Thomas Koegel. Fr. Ryba, 68,was ordained May 31, 1969. His first assignment was at SS Cyril and Methodius in Barberton 1969-1973 and he also seved at St. Peter in North Ridgeville before coming to St. Paul.

(Photos by Ron McAvoy)