Written ‘Nods
Below are ‘Nods to priests who have made a favorable impression in someone’s life. It’s important to let our priests know they are appreciated, respected, and supported.
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Fr. Cassian Derbes
I wanted to extend a ‘Nod and a moment to thank you for the impact your ministry and teaching have had on me. As someone who has been discerning a possible call to the priesthood, I often think about the kind of formation it takes to serve the Church well—not just in parish life, but in guiding others who themselves carry responsibility for teaching and leadership. Learning that you spent so much of your work forming bishops, clergy, and leaders in the Church has been incredibly meaningful to me. It’s one thing to speak about faith, but another entirely to help shape those entrusted with shepherding the wider Church. That level of service has given me a deeper understanding of what faithful formation really looks like: steady, thoughtful, and rooted in truth and prayer. Your example has helped me see priesthood not just as something done at the altar on Sundays, but as a life of building up others so they can, in turn, lead with integrity and faith. That vision has been encouraging and clarifying for me in my own discernment. Thank you for your witness, your teaching, and your dedication to forming others in the heart of the Church.
Lucas
Fr. Louis Cona
I am writing to express my profound respect for the priesthood, exemplified by a recent experience. On a Sunday morning, while waiting on line for confession, I felt discouraged as confessional time ran down and Mass was soon to begin. Witnessing the strain on Father Cona’s face as he quickly moved to best balance the squeeze in time he kindly turned back to the confessional. Father Cona’s committment and spiritual compassion to still take my confession was truly rewarding. It reached me with warmth only further deepening my faith and respect for the enormous pressures Priests find themselves journeying as they bring us closer to God. Thank you Father Cona for just being your God serving self. We are all blessed to have you at St. Patrick’s.
Chris
Fr. Drew Hoffman
Fr. Nick Nappier
Thank you, Fr. Nick, for the way you show up for your students and make the Catholic faith feel so welcoming, real, and accessible. Having a priest who is so involved in campus life and willing to meet young people where they are is such a gift. You have a way of being relatable without ever watering down the faith, and that kind of presence can make a lasting difference in a young person’s life. Thank you for giving your time, your energy, and your priesthood so generously, and for reminding your students that the Church isn’t just something they go to—it’s a family they belong to. That deserves a big Nod to the Collar!
Staff Submission
Fr. Paul Wierichs
Fr. James Donovan
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
Fr. Ed Nadolny
A ‘Nod to you, Fr. Ed Nadolny, for your decades of joyful and unwavering service to the Church. So many people across Connecticut and beyond have been touched by your kindness, energy, and unmistakable love for Jesus. Whether through your “Ask Father Ed” program, the Good News Fund, your televised Masses, clothing drives, or even the billboards that have become so familiar to generations of people driving through the state, you have found ways to bring faith outside the walls of the church and directly into people’s everyday lives. In a world that can feel heavy, your humor, warmth, and enthusiasm on social media continue to bring genuine joy to so many. You are deeply loved, Father, and your lifelong dedication to helping others and spreading hope has left a lasting mark on countless families and communities.
Staff Submission
Source: https://nutmegtv.com/shows/
Fr. Dave Pivonka
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
I have come to appreciate the warmth and genuine pastoral care you bring to your ministry. There is something reassuring about the way you speak to people—not from a distance, but with the kindness and familiarity of a shepherd who truly wants his people to know that they are seen, heard, and never walking alone. Your homilies and messages have reached far beyond the boundaries of our diocese, offering encouragement at times when people need it most. You have a wonderful way of making the teachings of our faith feel both timeless and personal, reminding us that our relationship with Christ is not simply something we practice on Sundays, but something that should shape the way we live each day. For the years you have devoted to shepherding the people of Arlington, and for the countless lives touched by your words, your example, and your approachable spirit, this is a heartfelt Nod to the Collar.
Baron
Fr. Noah Isch
Your story is a gift to so many young men who are listening for God’s call. By sharing not only your vocation, but the journey that led you to the altar, you remind others that a priestly calling can begin quietly, even in childhood, and grow through prayer, courage, and trust. May your openness continue to give young men the courage to ask, “Is God calling me, too?” Your priesthood is already becoming an invitation for others to discover where Christ may be leading them.
Amanda
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