Father Evan Ponton Joins Spalding

Posted

After more than 20 years of ministering to Archbishop Spalding students and families, the Rev. Tom Ryan has retired. Joining Spalding in January 2000, Ryan fully embraced his calling to shepherd the Spalding community. From schoolwide liturgies and prayer services to reconciliations and senior retreats, he always called Spalding his home. With the many connections he’s made over the years, he will continue to offer his ministry to alumni who wish to have him officiate ceremonies or simply seek his guidance and counsel.

Ryan’s successor, the Rev. Evan Ponton, has joined the Spalding community. Ponton graduated from the Catholic University of America with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in philosophy. He later attended St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, earning a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL). He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2020. Ponton was then assigned, and will continue to serve, as associate pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park. Additionally, Ponton has training in Ignatian spirituality and serves on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s racism workgroup.

In 2017, Ponton hiked the Camino de Santiago, known as the Way of St. James, pilgrimage across Spain. His favorite hobbies include music (he plays the bass), baseball (go Orioles), reading (anything and everything), and ecology.

 

A message from the Rev. Ponton:

“To quote the great Saint Irenaeus, ‘The glory of God is a fully alive human being.' To my mind, this is the gift and responsibility of Catholic education, to glorify God by living the virtues. Our Catholic faith, with its rich spiritual and intellectual tradition, has so much to offer young women and men today as they discern their vocation in life. High school is an exciting yet challenging time in a young person’s life. I most look forward to simply walking and talking with students as they explore how God is calling them to cultivate and share their God-given gifts and passions with the world.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here