Father Ryan Ford

MARQUETTE — Father Ryan Ford, a native of Gladstone, will lead a Men’s Day of Reflection on Saturday, March 1 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Marquette. The event is free to all men across the Catholic Diocese of Marquette, as it is funded by a Diocesan Mission Grant and St. Michael Parish.

Ford, the Vicar for Evangelization & Catechesis for the diocese, will address “Burning Hearts: Set on Fire by the Eucharistic Love of Jesus.”

In this day of reflection, Ford will help participants understand how the Eucharist connects to daily life in the world and will summon men to become what they receive in Jesus’ Real Presence at every Mass.

The day will begin with continental breakfast at 8 a.m. ET. The sessions will start at 8:30 a.m. Ford will celebrate Mass in the church with attendees at noon, followed by lunch. He will then lead one more session, and the day will end at 1:45 p.m.

To register, call the St. Michael parish office at 906-228-8180 or email: liturgy@stmichaelmqt.org by February 24.

Ford grew up in Gladstone, attended Holy Name Catholic School in Escanaba, and graduated from Gladstone High School. He studied music education at Central Michigan University, where he got involved in a Bible study that fueled his faith. After working a summer at Bay Cliff Health Camp, he entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He was ordained a priest in 2011.

Ford served as associate pastor in Marquette, Big Bay, and Menominee, then returned to Sacred Heart Seminary to serve as a spiritual director and teacher while earning his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in evangelization. He served as Pastor of the Ishpeming Catholic parishes for six years, then began his current position in July 2024.