by The Byzantine Catholic Seminary of
SS. Cyril and Methodius
Metropolitan William Skurla has appointed Father Ronald Barusefski of the Eparchy of Passaic as the Byzantine Catholic Seminary’s new Director of Human Formation, effective Aug. 1.
Father Barusefski’s appointment follows three years of exemplary and dedicated service in the role by Father Joel Barstad, who is looking forward to parochial ministry in his home Eparchy of Phoenix.
Father Ron Barusefski was born in Scranton, Pa. He entered B.C.S. in the fall of 1981 and was graduated cum laude from Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Theology in 1985.
After completing four additional years of theological study at the Seminary, he was ordained to the priesthood on Pentecost Sunday (and Mother’s Day), May 14, 1989 by the late +Most Rev. Michael Dudick, then Bishop of Passaic.
In the fall 2011, after many years of parochial ministry, Father Barusefski began canon law studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
He graduated with his licentiate in canon law on May 17, 2014, after completing his thesis entitled “The Competency of the Council of Hierarchs of the Byzantine Ruthenian Metropolitan Church USA Sui Iuris.”
Father Ron was then named pastor of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Bayonne, N.J. and administrator of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Jersey City, N.J. and administrator of St. George Byzantine Catholic, Newark, N.J.
He was also appointed Vice-Chancellor and Adjutant Judicial Vicar of the Eparchy of Passaic.
In the summer of 2015, Father Barusefski was sent for doctoral studies in canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
After completion of his first year of doctoral studies, Father Ron was appointed the Director of Apostolic Formation and member of the External Formation Faculty at the Pontifical North American College in June 2016.
While being responsible for the many different pastoral ministries afforded to the seminarians including parish and campus ministry, catechesis, and care for the poor and sick, he also shared the Byzantine Tradition with regular celebration of the Divine Liturgy and other liturgical services, as well as discussions and presentations.
After completing his five-year term of office at the NAC in June 2021, Father Barusefski returned to full-time doctoral work.
He is currently completing his dissertation entitled “The Role of the Council of Hierarchs with special reference to the Byzantine Ruthenian Metropolitan Church sui iuris in the United States” with the goal of defending it in June 2022.
The Byzantine Catholic Seminary eagerly and enthusiastically welcomes Father Ron Barusefski to his new ministry with an assurance of prayerful and fraternal support.
