Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
June 13, 2001
Priest retires after 26 years of service
Years of service include a decade at Our Lady of the Plains, Byers
Father Thomas Michael Dona, pastor of Our Lady of the Plains in Byers for a decade, has been granted retirement status effective June 20, according to the Office of Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Born in Granite City, Ill., Oct. 11, 1930, to Frank and Gladys Dona, he was a convert who entered the Church in 1949.
He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from St. Louis University. He was ordained to the priesthood June 9, 1965, at St. Mary's College in Kansas. He continued doctoral studies at the University of Colorado from 1967-1970.
Father Dona's first assignment was as an assistant at Holy Family Church in Denver. He then served as administrator for a few months at St. Patrick's Church, Minturn. He spent many years as associate pastor at several metro-area parishes including Blessed Sacrament, All Souls, Good Shepherd, and Sts. Peter and Paul.
He also served as associate pastor at St. Mary's in Colorado Springs and at Christ the King in Evergreen. He served as pastor at Ascension of Our Lord in Montbello for three years during his 10-year term at Our Lady of the Plains.
Parishioners said they were grateful for the daily Masses and an additional weekend Mass that Father Dona scheduled when he was assigned to the church. Twice a month he held morning Mass at an assisted living center in Strasburg. He also was highly involved in the parish's religious education efforts.
An avid movie fan, Father Dona also loves golfing and visiting with close friends. Recently hospitalized with complications from chronic leg pain, Father Dona resides at St. Elizabeth Gardens in Denver.
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