Man “behind the curtain” receives national recognition

Some kids are into sports or the arts, but according to Rich Donovan, he was always “a youth ministry and church brat.” As a junior high school student at Saint Michael’s in Cranford, NJ, Donovan started attending the parish’s youth group and found God there. Eventually, he would also discover his calling.

Donovan, who serves as the associate director of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, has devoted the past 30-plus years to helping young people grow in their faith and supporting adults who work in youth ministry, both in parishes and at the regional and national levels.

“Youth ministry has always been part of my life,” he told Jersey Catholic.

In November, Donovan was one of three recipients of the Saint John Bosco Accompaniment Award, presented by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. The award honors those who, like Don Bosco, have dedicated their lives to helping young people and who inspire and support others in youth ministry.

Serving those who serve youth

The award was presented on Nov. 22 at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis. Along with Donovan, 47 young people and adults from the Archdiocese of Newark attended the event, including Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito.

Donovan said he was “shocked” when he learned of the honor and kept the news mostly to himself.  In addition to his work for the archdiocese, Donovan is also the part-time coordinator for youth ministry at Saint Michael’s. He accompanied the parish’s youth group to NCYC but did not tell them about the award until they arrived in Indianapolis.

Not one to seek accolades, Donovan serves the archdiocese quietly but energetically, providing events and training for adults who accompany young people in parish youth, CYO, and Scouting groups. He also coordinates regional activities for diocesan youth directors in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“I’m happy to be the guy behind the curtain, helping to organize stuff in the background,” Donovan said.

Giving his all

“Rich Donovan does what he does because he feels called to do this mission. He has never sought accolades for something that he loves,” said Tom Conboy, director of the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry. “Throughout the years, Rich could be seen around the parish pushing a baby stroller; selling pies, flowers on Mother’s Day, Christmas trees, and grave blankets; and even performing the live nativity with real animals and a large gang of youth — he’d soak it all up and then look for more to do!”

Father Stephen Fichter, Episcopal Vicar of Education, said that Donovan’s commitment is what makes him stand out.

“Rich has dedicated his life and his many talents to serving in youth ministry not only in his parish and in our archdiocese but also on the regional and national levels,” Father Fichter said. “It is most fitting that he was awarded the Saint John Bosco Accompaniment Award from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry in recognition of the inspiration he has been to countless youths in their following of Christ.”

Bishop Saporito praised Donovan for “giving his all” in his ministry. “Rich’s faith matters to him,” the bishop said. “His involvement in youth ministry isn’t just at the local level, but nationally, too. He learns from the very best and brings that back to us in Newark.”

“Every team member of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is extremely excited about Rich’s award,” added Tom Conboy. “His devotion and dedication to youth ministry are truly outstanding.”

The work of accompanying others

Asked what it meant for him to receive an “accompaniment” award, Donvan said that “belonging to a community and forming relationships” is the key to building a lasting youth ministry and accompanying young people and adults.

One of his most important tasks is simply to encourage people to communicate and work together, he said. That isn’t always easy, but whether dealing with other youth ministers, the teens at St. Michael’s, or other event organizers, Donovan tries to listen and relate to their problems and concerns.

Over the decades, Donovan has also faced the countless joys, disappointments, and tragedies that young people have shared with him. “When I do my workshops with youth ministers, I always say that if you’re going to be in this for the long haul, you have to be prepared for the bad as much as the good,” he said.

“Whether you’re working with young people or adults, the key thing is to accept them for who they are rather than trying to fix them,” Donovan said. “Walking with them, making sure they feel valued, and being present to them – that’s really what accompaniment is all about.”

Featured image: Richard “Rich” Donovan (center) received the Saint John Bosco Accompaniment Award with two other honorees on Nov. 22 at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, IN. (Photos courtesy of Richard Donovan)