I had only just moved to Oceanside when the challenges of my marriage became too difficult to deal with alone. That’s when I decided to look to the church for guidance and answers. I’ll never forget first meeting Father Donovan who agreed to sit and talk with me for a few minutes. After speaking with him he gave me the peace, comfort and strength to move forward in life. I was actually so humbled by his words that I wanted to be closer to the church even though I was close to God in my own ways. Father Donovan made my family and I feel like we were part of church and his sermons were always filled with messages that made sense and of course that always left you smiling and probably laughing. His style of prayer and worship was profoundly unique and he managed to make the time to get to know everyone on a personal level and would even greet me by name every week when handing me the host. Father Donovan did the services for both my grandmother and father as well as First Holy communions for my children. Although he has now been moved to another parish he will always have a special place in our hearts for all he did and how comfortable he made us feel especially in those times of need and despair. He truly is a unique and talented leader of the church and we hope to be able to have him again serve as our pastor in the future.

Melissa