A Boston native from the Roslindale neighborhood, Fr. Ron Barker attended archdiocesan seminaries and was ordained to the priesthood on May 17, 1975, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross by Cardinal Humberto Medeiros. His early ministry included assignments at St. Peter’s in Gloucester, St. Joseph’s in Wakefield (1981–1992), Immaculate Conception in Revere, and St. Patrick’s in Stoneham. In 2005, Cardinal Seán O’Malley appointed him pastor of St. Joseph’s, where he has served ever since.