Talk of the Town

‘Tis the season for kicking back, celebrating graduates and anticipating the start of a new chapter for so many young people who find themselves on the exciting threshold of all that is to come. Among those celebrating and charting a new path, Hudson resident David Chojnacki is overjoyed to be making the journey with a “steadfast God.”

Chojnacki is a 2014 Hudson High School grad who’s been in religious formation these past nine years at Borromeo and St. Mary seminaries, serving most recently as deacon for the diocese of Cleveland and known to many in the community as “Deacon Dave.” He was finally ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 20, at the cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland. His first mass of Thanksgiving as newly consecrated “Father Dave” took place at Hudson’s St. Mary church on Sunday, May 21.

As a kid, David said he thought he wanted to be a marine biologist when he grew up, or possibly an engineer. That was until he met a guy who appeared to have a lot of fun on the job as associate pastor of St. Mary church here in Hudson, Father Damien Ferrence. David was just a second-grader preparing for his first communion at the time, but Father Damien’s influence proved to be a lasting one.

“It was inspiring to see someone being so joyful doing what they did, and it stuck with me and hung around in the back of my mind all the way through high school,” remarked David.

According to David, one priest’s contagious enthusiasm may have piqued his interest, but it was ultimately divine invitation by way of what he could “only describe as a personal encounter with Christ” during an eighth-grade church camp experience that attracted him to a life centered on God. Throughout high school, David was involved in parish life through the Life Teen program at St. Mary. He considers himself blessed to have met many seminarians through that ministry who shared their faith and friendship with him and radiated a similar joy.

“I started meeting some of the seminarians from our parish and liking them because they were super cool,” he said. “At that point [priesthood] became something real, something I could actually do, like going to school where they went to school and doing the things they did.”

David was a senior in high school when he decided to forgo an engineering degree at Ohio State University for a trial year at the seminary. “And here we are,” he laughed, “nine years later.”

“I’ll say this,” David reflected, “God is never outdone in generosity. When I entered seminary, it felt as if I was giving up everything. I was like, ‘All right God. Here’s everything.’ Almost as if there’s no way this could be worth it, but I’ve got to test it and see if it is. And it just is,” he said.

“David’s path is different, but I don’t think any of his siblings were overly surprised,” reported David’s parents, Pete and Jean Chojnacki. “We are very supportive of his decision, especially seeing how happy he’s been since he entered the seminary. We’re proud of all of our kids, but this is a real blessing for our entire family.”

Jean said her continued prayer for David as he begins his unique ministry as priest is that “he continues to feel and exhibit great joy.”

David’s first assignment will be to serve as the parochial vicar at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Wooster. Congratulations, Father David, and may your priesthood be richly blessed as you strive to be a blessing to others!  

Hudson resident and Ukrainian-American artist, Tetyana Skreka Davis, has a special place in her heart for anyone forced to flee her war-torn, home country of Ukraine. In an art show held at the Hudson library earlier this year, Tetyana showcased her collection of fluid acrylics, with a portion of art sales going toward aid for Ukrainian refugees in the U.S.

“My sister arrived as a refugee from Ukraine in January of 2023, and while she received help from local organizations, she met many others who are still in need,” reported Tetyana.

It was this need, combined with her own need for a creative, “healing outlet” and the desire to share the “charge” that comes from seeing original work, that motivated and inspired her art show, according to Tetyana.

“I started painting as a Christmas gift to myself,” she said. “I told my husband that the only gift I need from him is a day off from everything – cooking, family obligations, even the fun parts. I painted for the whole day, and art just poured out of me.”

Anyone interested in purchasing original artwork and helping to meet the needs of the Ukrainian refugee community can contact Tetyana at tetyanadavis82@gmail.com.

Owner of Farinacci Pizza, Hudson resident Dave Janotka is a big believer in “giving back” and does so in a bigger and broader way than usual three times a year when he donates pizza to the community. Look for the first of three giveaways on Father’s Day, June 18, at the concert on the green, where hundreds of boxes packed with two slices each will be handed out to hungry concertgoers. The second donation, like the first, is available to anyone shopping the third annual HUDSONmART event downtown on July 30. The last of the three donations is in full support of a charity and takes place the weekend of the Superbowl.

Dave likes to remind the students who work for him that they “live in one of the best cities in the best country on Earth,” exhorting them often of the need to “give back.” When the pizza is donated, their time and hard work preparing the pizza is, too.

“I donate my time, the kids donate their time, and we donate all the product and just give it all away,” he said. “That came from our parents’ motto – ‘If you’re gonna be generous, don’t be cheap.’ That’s how we grew up, and it’s never failed us, and I get great joy out of doing that.”  

Thanks, Dave, for your delicious pizza, your generosity, and your joy as a Hudson business owner.

Kudos to Johnny Dudinec, Hudson High class of 2015, who recently graduated from Duke Medical School. Johnny completed his bachelor of science in biology at Miami University, graduating Summa Cum Laude class of 2019. He will complete his residency in Urology at Duke University Hospital.

A final congratulations to our Hudson Heinen’s and generous community for raising over $28,000 for Harvest for Hunger. Although a small store, they were the number one fundraiser among 19 Heinens stores, and more than 8,000 meals can be purchased with these donations. Well done!

Enjoy the sunshine everyone, all the backyard barbecues, concerts and free Farinacci pizza this summer!