God in His wisdom, calls us to serve where we can most effectively use our talents to meet the needs of His people. We don't have to endeavor to be Mother Theresa. We simply need to be ourselves. This series will focus on people who shine the light of Christ in their daily work.
Jennifer Molnar believes that “donkeys are like potato chips, you can’t have just one.” Jennifer is known as the “Donkey Lady of Amston, CT '' where she operates Donifer Farms, the home of five varieties of donkeys: micro-mini, miniature, standard, large standard, and mammoth.
What makes this farm truly unique is that it was created and maintained solely to educate and uplift those who visit. Along with the donkeys, Jennifer has created a two-story donkey museum, which houses possibly the most extensive collection of donkey memorabilia in the world. Have you ever seen a statue of a pregnant Blessed Mother riding on a donkey? You can see it here!
Jennifer has loved donkeys ever since she was eight years old and recovering from surgery for the removal of a large brain tumor. “When I returned to school after my surgery, I didn’t fit in”, Molnar said. “The kids treated me differently – I felt like an outsider.” At that time, her family purchased a donkey for her, and although she felt isolated from her peers, “I knew that I could always go and tell my problems to the donkey,” she said. From that experience, Jennifer learned the healing power of animals and wanted to share it with others in need.
According to her, donkeys are wonderful animals. They are stoic, pragmatic, and they have astonishing memories. They are keenly intelligent and often learn a task the first time it is taught to them. They also have surprising reasoning abilities and must be shown not just how to do something, but why they should do it. This trait is often misidentified as "stubbornness." Donkeys are also very social and affectionate, this trait is what makes them so appropriate for Jennifer’s work.
For Jennifer, Donifer Farms is both a passion and a ministry. Initially, she would show her animals and they have won many ribbons, but Jennifer’s focus now is more ministerial. Her donkeys can be seen in procession on Palm Sunday throughout the area, especially in her home Parish of the Good Shepherd (Saint Columba and Church of the Holy Family).
Carmel, the mammoth donkey, actually processes into the Gilead Congregational Church in Hebron on Palm Sundays, to the joy and astonishment of parishioners. Jennifer’s donkeys have visited elderly care facilities, jails for juveniles, religious day camps, and have been visited by special needs children.
The other day while she was riding her donkey Chewbacca down the road, they came across a woman who was crying. When the woman saw the donkey, she immediately perched-up, hugged him, took a picture of him with her cell phone, and said, ‘you don’t know how you have made my day!”
“That’s what it’s all about,” Jennifer said.
Visiting the farm is free of charge, but goodwill donations are gratefully accepted. For an appointment call or text: 860-380-7717
You and I may never be famous, however, if we are true to God and ourselves, then we will be blessed and be a blessing to the world around us. Don't be afraid to let the world know who you are. Just be true to yourself and let your faith shine through.
Please let us know of someone who is living their faith through their work. They could possibly be featured in a future issue of the Four County Catholic.
By Deacon Ben LoCasto