Juan Diego Catholic HS says goodbye to a beloved priest

Courtesy photo/Rachel Kuhr

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Father Dennis Ruane

By Rachel Kuhr

Special to the Intermountain Catholic

DRAPER — The most unmistakable laugh on the Juan Diego Catholic High School campus belongs to Father Dennis Ruane. Faculty and students alike cannot help but smile whenever Fr. Ruane begins to giggle. It’s a contagious laugh that can be heard in the hallways and even at Mass.

After 12 years of service as counselor and chaplain, Fr. Ruane will be leaving JDCHS for a new opportunity in Hawaii. He has classmates there, and said he looks forward to the warm weather. His new assignment will give him a chance to work with indigenous Hawaiians and learn their language. He will be helping them recover from alcohol and drug problems, a ministry he has been involved with before. "I always need a change, because I get so used to things," Fr. Ruane said.

Susan Tuite, JDCHS’ administrative assistant and receptionist, is among the many people who will miss Fr. Ruane when he leaves. She said he has a calming presence and a willingness to help both staff members and students. Tuite believes Fr. Ruane is someone to whom you can tell anything.

She will especially miss his sense of humor, kindness, words of wisdom and ministry. "My favorite memory is when the hockey team presented him with a hockey jersey, and on the back of it, it said ‘Father Dennis,’ and his eyes just lit up," Tuite said.

Fr. Ruane’s sense of humor is legendary. At one particular school Mass when he referenced Lady Gaga’s "flops and flourishes," laughs erupted from the students, the faculty and himself, creating a moment many will fondly remember.

Fr. Ruane joined the JDCHS community in January 2000, when the school only had freshman and sophomore classes. Before he came to JDCHS, he worked in addiction counseling in Africa and New Mexico.

"Of all the communities that I’ve worked with, I’ve gotten the closest here to people," Fr. Ruane said. He appreciates that JDCHS is an open community of people who truly look out for each other. "When you’re in a job where you’re not only counselor but you are also the priest, students and faculty feel very comfortable," Fr. Ruane said. "When you do that, you really get very close to people, they trust you, and that’s a precious gift to have."

When Fr. Ruane walks through the halls, he has a smile on his face that could light up a room.

Students enjoy seeing him, even just in passing. This is especially the case for freshman Albert Kielar. "I like how he’s really enthusiastic, full of life, and genuinely cares for us," Kielar said.

As a member of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers religious order, Fr. Ruane has been able to travel around the world four different times. He has counseled many different people and trained others to do the same.

Education has played a huge role in Fr. Ruane’s life. He has earned numerous degrees, including a doctorate in counseling, which he received two years ago, in his early 80s.

Bob Jackson, Director of Campus Life at JDCHS, works closely with Fr. Ruane. He said the priest is a very flexible and approachable person, and kids line up to talk to him because he makes everything personal.

At the last school Mass of the year, Jackson presented Fr. Ruane with a Hawaiian shirt and some words of gratitude, which prompted a standing ovation from everyone in the auditorium. Fr. Ruane admits he was on the verge of tears, but he was not the only one getting emotional.

Fr. Ruane said the JDCHS community has been very supportive and welcoming to him over the years.

He describes JDCHS as a family, and that is what he will miss the most when he leaves. "I’ve gotten far more from faculty and students than I’ve ever given, I guarantee that," Fr. Ruane said.

Rachel Kuhr is a sophomore at Juan Diego Catholic High School.