Person:Vincent Donovan (1)

The Diocese of Kalamazoo announces the death of Bishop Paul V. Donovan founding Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, Mich., April 28, 2011:

The Most Reverend Paul V. Donovan, 86, founding bishop for the Diocese of Kalamazoo (1971-1994) has died.

“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of our founding bishop,” said Most Rev. Paul J. Bradley, Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo. “How appropriate it is during this Easter Octave that Bishop Donovan who proclaimed the Good News of the Easter message throughout his 61 years as a priest, nearly 40 of those as a bishop, went Home to his eternal reward in this Easter week.

“As shepherd of the Diocese of Kalamazoo for close to 25 years Bishop Donovan worked passionately to further the mission of the Church here in Southwest Michigan. Under his faithful leadership many ministries, services and programs were established that continue today in assisting those in need including the Office of Hispanic Ministry, the Catholic Community Center in Benton Harbor and the Diocesan Heating Assistance program just to name a few . Bishop Donovan truly lived his Episcopal motto, ‘to serve, rather than be served.’

Ordained a priest in 1950, Bishop Donovan served the people of the Diocese of Lansing prior to becoming the founding Bishop of Kalamazoo in 1971 at the age of 46. Bishop Donovan had been challenged in recent years with declining health.

Visitation and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Augustine Cathedral, 542 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo. Details are still pending.

The Most Rev. Paul V. Donovan of Kalamazoo entered into his eternal reward on Thursday, April 28, 2011. The Most Reverend Paul V. Donovan, Bishop Emeritus of Kalamazoo, was born Sept. 1, 1924 in Bernard, IA and was the fifth of 9 children of Jon & Loretta (Carew) Donovan. Bishop Donovan was ordained a priest on May 20, 1950, at St. Mary Cathedral, in Lansing, MI. On July 21, 1971, the Diocese of Kalamazoo was established by Pope Paul VI and Father Paul Donovan was ordained and installed as the first bishop of the new diocese. He took as his Episcopal motto the scriptural injunction "To serve rather than to be served." On Nov. 22, 1994, Bishop Paul V. Donovan announced that he was resigning as Bishop for health reasons. He was preceded in death by 7 brothers & sisters: Helen McCarthy, Rita McCarthy, Leonard Donovan, Bernadine Clinton, Maureen Curtis, John Thomas Donovan, and Elizabeth Donovan. He is survived by 1 sister, Florence (Sr. Maureen) Donovan. Reception of Bishop Donovan's body will take place Monday 1:00 PM at St. Augustine Cathedral. He will lie in state 1:00-8:00 PM, the rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM that evening. Bishop Donovan's body will lie in state on Tues. 1:00-8:00 PM at the Cathedral, where a Vigil / Prayer Service will be celebrated at 7:00 PM. Final viewing will be held Wed. 9:30 AM-10:45 AM at St. Augustine Cathedral. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, with His Excellence Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit and Metropolitan of the Michigan Province as Presider. Entombment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Following the entombment, food and fellowship will be shared at the Fr. Crowley Cathedral Center. Please visit The Most Rev. Paul Donovan's personal web page at www.lifestory net.com, where you can read Bishop Donovan's complete biography, archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guest book. Memorial donations may be made to The Bishop Paul V. Donovan Shepherds' Care Fund for seminarian education and the support of retired priests. Donations may be sent to: The Diocese of Kalamazoo, attn: Business Office, 215 N. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler - Kalamazoo (375-2900)

Published in Kalamazoo Gazette from Apr. 30 to May 1, 2011