When the news hit Archbishop Ryan that Father John Donia, the school’s Campus Minister, Kairos Retreat Master, Theology Teacher, Yearbook moderator, Spiritual Director, Spirit Week moderator and chaperone was leaving the Archbishop Ryan community, everyone was shocked.
Father Donia was welcomed into the Archbishop Ryan family in 2010 from Saint Timothy’s Parish in Mayfair. Immediately, Father fit in with the craziness of Ryan and adjusted to our big school.
Father shortly overtook the school’s Campus Ministry and made such great advancements to the whole school especially the Kairos retreats. Archbishop Ryan’s principal, Mr. James Meredith said, ”One of my favorite memories with Father was during the Kairos retreats. He very much wanted to use Kairos as a way to bring students closer to God, which he did with great success.”
Father Donia taught not only theology classes at Archbishop Ryan, but without even knowing, taught so many people how to be positive. Sister Lauretta Linsalata, said “Father has taught me to relax and that somehow things will always turn out for the good. His optimism is contagious.”
While Father Donia was striving to make the school a better place he impacted many people’s lives, both teachers and students. Emily Hancin, Senior and sacristan at Archbishop Ryan said, “I know I could come to Father with any problem and he would be straight with me. He supported me through all my stresses, joys, failures, and accomplishments.”
The positive side of Father Donia always shone through his kind actions and good deeds. Lorenzo Rivera, Freshman at Archbishop Ryan said “Father Donia taught me to always look up to Jesus and to remember that he carried the cross for us. There will be a time in our lives when we’ll need to carry our own cross and help others up when they fall.”
Father Donia knew everyone and everyone knew Father Donia. Everyone would always be talking about how awesome his homily was or how funny his class was. He made everyone around him smile just by saying hello to them. Father truly made Archbishop Ryan a happier place.
Ms. Pat Carlo, English Teacher at Archbishop Ryan said, “Father Donia definitely brought joy and laughter to the Ryan community. Personally, when stories of the “outside cat”, “fried calamari” or “the spider” come to mind, I grin uncontrollably from ear to ear.”
Father Donia was liked by everyone. Every time someone walked by Father’s office, there was always someone there venting, laughing or even just sitting there to get their daily stress off their shoulders. Mr. Joseph McFadden, Archbishop Ryan’s Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs said, “Father and I will always be friends and I can truly say I felt my faith grow as my friendship with Father grew.”
The holy side of Father Donia definitely was highlighted when the whole Archbishop Ryan community came together to celebrate the liturgy. Sister Alice Hess, Archbishop Ryan’s mathematics teacher joking said, “Father always begins Mass on time and ends on time. He always gives great homilies.”
You would always find Father Donia at school earlier than everyone celebrating the Eucharist in the chapel. After Mass, you would always see someone talking to Father Donia in the sacristy or even in the hallway walking back to his office. One thing that Father would always do after every Mass was turn around and say, “Have a good day everybody.” That truly made everyone’s day better just by saying those short five words.
Being the only priest at Archbishop Ryan, Father Donia never let anyone bring him down. Even when Father had things planned for the day he always changed them to make others around him happy. Sister Lauretta Linsalata, Archbishop Ryan’s music teacher said, “He is first and foremost a priest in every sense of the word, always putting aside his own agenda to comfort sick relatives of our students or visiting a family of a student who has lost someone dear to them.”
You would always see Father Donia at all the big sporting events and the musical theatre shows. He was definitely a true supporter of every activity that went on at Ryan. He always wanted to see the Archbishop Ryan community succeed.
Everything that Father has done for Archbishop Ryan community will always be cherished. Archbishop Ryan as a whole, will always remember Father for all the positivity he will leave behind.
Father Donia will leave an impressive legacy behind at Archbishop Ryan. Mr. Joseph Mcfadden, said “I only know how fortunate Bishop Shanahan is and how much he will offer to their community.”
Father Donia, know that the Archbishop Ryan family loves you and will miss you terribly.
