Ohio Dominican University Chaplain Father Dan Millisor will celebrate a milestone this spring as he marks 40 years of priesthood.
The parish family of St. Mary's Catholic Church in German Village will honor Fr. Dan’s 40th Ordination Anniversary during an 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 17, at the church, located at 684 S. Third Street in Columbus. The Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Dan and followed by a coffee and donuts reception in the parish center.
Fr. Dan has served as University Chaplain at ODU since 2021, supporting students, faculty, and staff through campus ministry, liturgies, service opportunities, trips, and pastoral care. He also directs the Office of Mission and Identity, the Center for Dominican Studies, and the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
Most recently, Fr. Dan served as an adjunct instructor for the course “Rome, the Eternal City: Art, Architecture, Culture and Faith,” which included a spring 2026 study abroad experience in Rome, Italy, providing students with opportunities to deepen both their academic and spiritual experiences abroad.
A graduate of Ohio Dominican College, Fr. Dan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences before attending seminary at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois, where he received degrees of St.B. and M.Div. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Columbus on May 17, 1986, at St. Joseph Cathedral by Bishop James A. Griffin.
Throughout his four decades of ministry, Fr. Dan has served in numerous parish and diocesan leadership roles across Ohio, including associate pastor positions at St. Agatha Parish in Columbus, St. Francis de Sales Parish in Newark, St. Bernadette Parish in Lancaster, and St. Peter Parish in Worthington. He later served as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Ada, Ohio; Saints Simon and Jude Parish in West Jefferson; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Grove City. He also served as Catholic Chaplain to Ohio Northern University and as a part-time instructor in the university’s Religion and Philosophy Department.
At various times throughout his ministry, Fr. Dan has served the Diocese of Columbus through the CHRISM program, the Presbyteral Council, the Priests’ Personnel Board, and as an Associate Judge on the Diocesan Tribunal. On May 8, 2025, Fr. Dan’s longtime dream of becoming a Dominican Associate to the Dominican Sisters of Peace became a reality.
Reflecting on four decades of ministry, Fr. Dan shared, “The greatest joy for me as a priest (for four decades now!) has been in service of building up the People of God. Every sacrament celebrated, every moment of teaching and preaching, every pastoral opportunity, have all been intentional efforts to assist each person to claim, embrace, and live out her/his inherent dignity as a child of God, and baptismal grace as a disciple of Christ.”
The ODU community joins in celebrating Fr. Dan’s years of faithful service, ministry, and dedication to supporting others in their faith journeys.
Members of the ODU community and the public are warmly invited to attend the celebration at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.