Mark & Veronica Donegan
Couple Name: Mark and Veronica Donegan
We recently celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. We are “very” married by having two ceremonies in Honduras and two more in the United States. First, the civil marriage (which in this country is required prior to receiving the sacrament of matrimony in the church) took place up in the mountains with the government official and both immediate families present. At night of the same day, we gathered again at Veronica’s lifelong Catholic Church of the Miraculous Medal for the consecration of our Matrimony. Upon our arrival to Kansas, Mark also got to share in the legality of marriage in the United States by going to the Johnson County Courthouse followed by a blessing and celebration at his lifelong Catholic Church of Curé of Ars in Leawood with all his extended family and friends. Yes, Veronica got to wear her wedding dress twice! Ask to see and hear the story on her rings.
We are parents of 5 children, Jonpaul 16 (Sophomore at Saint James Academy), Gabriel 14 (8th grader at Saint Paul), Monica 12 (6th grader at Saint Paul), Baby Francis (10th year in heaven) and Joseph 7 (1st grader at Saint Paul).
Where were you and your spouse born? (City/State):
Mark was born in Kansas City, Missouri and he is the oldest of three.
Veronica was born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and she is the second oldest of four.
How did you meet?
Actually, Mark first met Veronica’s brother when he came to Kansas as an exchange student to Bishop Miege Catholic High School in their Junior year and rapidly became best friends. Skip forward to their first year in college when Mark left the country for the first time to vacation in Honduras without even knowing that his life was about to change forever. The one week of spring break was over and he extended his stay for another week where we got to know each other better. Lots happened in between but three years later we got engaged. So, Veronica can say that she married her brother’s best friend! God is good!
First marriage for husband? (Yes/ No): Yes
First marriage for wife? (Yes/ No): Yes
Husband’s occupation:
Mark’s college education was temporarily interrupted by the Iraq war where he was deployed overseas and served his country for eight years in the Transportation and Maintenance unit of the United States Army. Currently he is the Administrator at Donegan Optical Co. where he carries on the family legacy that his grandfather built.
Wife’s occupation:
Veronica was the Concessions’ Administrator for the 4 International Airports in Honduras when Mark landed in the capital city and their story started to slowly unfold. With the arrival of their firstborn, caring for her children undoubtedly became her full time occupation where at the same time she began her formation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the works of bringing and building this ministry, twelve years ago at their parish, St. Paul Catholic Church.
What are your favorite leisure activities/ hobbies?
Husband: Fishing and woodworking
Wife: Crafts and cooking
We both enjoy traveling, hiking and spending time with family.
How long have you been parishioners at St. Paul? What do you enjoy most about this parish, and what improvements would you like to see?
We have been members of St. Paul for almost 19 years now. We really enjoy the people that are part of this community and we really enjoy being actively part of the school and our children’s lives. We’re both looking forward to being part of the Marriage Ministry. Thank you for inviting us to join!
Are you currently involved in any ministry at St. Paul? (We strive for our engaged couples to identify you when attending mass and/or parish events.)
Husband: Knights of Columbus, Welcome and CGS
Wife: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Confirmation and Family Faith Formation
Kindly include any ‘words of wisdom’ and a favorite bible verse or quote, if you choose to include this info. It would help the engaged couple be able to relate to you and know what is important to you as a couple in your marriage.
A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.” Matthew 19:5-6