Beloved local priest to say goodbyes

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Sometimes it isn?t easy following the rules, particularly when it means being transferred after 12 enjoyable years. But the Rev. Charles Donajkowski, 45, who is better known as the beloved Father Charlie among local Catholic parishioners and in the community, has been reassigned, which is policy. Priests have to sometimes leave after six years at one parish, but always after 12.

?Today, it is rare for somebody to stay 12 years. It?s the hardest thing in my life as a priest,? said Donajkowski last Friday morning while packing. ?Most of my brother priests tell me the same thing. ?I?m comfortable. I have things the way I like them and now I have to start over. I have to learn new names again. It is not easy for me. It is not easy to say your goodbyes.? When Donajkowski arrived in Rogers City it was almost a homecoming of sorts for the ?northern boy,? considering he grew up on Long Lake.

DONAJKOWSKI, WHO has been an ordained priest for 18 years, will conduct his final Mass Sunday at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. He has served the parishioners of St. Ignatius for the entire term, but also had the added responsibilities of serving in Posen, Metz, Mio, Herron and Riggsville at one time or another.

Donajkowski?s new homes will be at Sacred Heart in Oscoda and Holy Family in East Tawas. ?We are going to miss him dearly,? said regent Mary Kroll of the Daughters of Isabella. ?The younger kids absolutely loved him. They are always there with a big hug for him whenever they see him in church, or even out of church. He?s just a terrific guy.? Sister Rita Epple of St. Dominic of Metz said, ?The people of all three parishes and the people of Presque Isle County will miss Fr. Charlie’s many gifts, his wonderful, challenging and Scripture based homilies with the right amount of humor and depth, his hearty laugh, and his strong interest in fishing and hunting. He will be greatly missed.? Father Charlie served as chaplain of Rogers City Knights of Columbus Council No. 1705 for the past 11 years.

?Father has always been willing to ask the Knights for their help whenever it was needed in the parish,? said Dan Wisniewski, who just stepped down July 1 as grand knight. ?He has always been a strong advocate of the Knights in the parish and quick to thank them for their donations of manpower and financial support.?

Donajkowski said, ?I feel blessed to be able to stay this long.? DURING DONAJOWSKI?S term, the church saw a massive restoration project completed, including an overhaul of the pipe organ. He?s worked to make the school stronger and put his personal touches on Easter and Christmas by ratcheting up the decorations during the major Christian holidays. Donajkowski also hopes to have left his impression with parishioners with his sermons. He has been a part of major milestones in many people?s lives, such as weddings and

anniversaries, and shared tears of joy and sadness. ?There are so many personal highlights of being there for so many families when they needed me, when there was a death, or when there were births,? he said. ?To be in that cycle of life, or more importantly the cycle of family for so many years has been a great blessing.?

Father Arthur Duchnowicz, who served as a seminarian under Donajkowski, will be taking over and will be not only be serving Catholics in Rogers City, Posen and Metz, but Onaway as well. The long-term plan is for him to have a helper as Donajkowski has had for the last couple of years.

?I have very much felt accepted and loved by the people of Rogers City, and not just my parishioners ? the whole community has been terrific to me,? he added. ?It?s not about me. The successes we experienced were not my successes, they were the community?s. I was just a part of that. We have a terrific parish here.?