My dear parishioners of Holy Family of Nazareth, I am elated to come serve you as we journey together in our Catholic faith. It is with a deep sense of joy that I join your community of faith to be one of you as your pastor.

I was born in Nigeria, the fifth in a family of seven. I was ordained a Catholic priest on July 17, 2004, for the Catholic diocese of Kafanchan, Nigeria. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Urbaniana University, Rome and bachelor’s in Theology from the University of Jos, Nigeria. After my ordination, I served in pastoral roles in several parishes and held multiple administrative positions in my diocese in Nigeria, including a pastor of a parish, diocesan director of communications and diocesan chancellor. In July 2008, I came to the United States for further studies. I obtained a master's degree in mass communications from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Coming to Minnesota directly from Nigeria was an interesting experience for me as it presented me with something I have never seen in my life before then: SNOW! Minnesota winter was an extreme experience of weather for me. However, it was also fun with many good people I met in the city of St. Cloud.

I relocated to Dallas to escape from Minnesota’s extreme winter only to arrive and be welcomed with extreme summer in Texas. I arrived in Dallas in July 2010 and have been serving in the diocese of Dallas to date. I have served as parochial vicar at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Garland, St. Joseph parish in Richardson, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Plano, St. Anthony, Wylie, and until now, at St. Gabriel the Archangel parish in McKinney. I found peace, joy and fulfillment in ministering to these parish communities, and I look forward to such an atmosphere as I assume my ministry as the Pastoral Administrator of Holy Family of Nazareth, Irving.

Furthermore, when I came to Dallas I extended my education by enrolling in a doctoral program, while concurrently serving in ministry in the parish. Eventually, I graduated with a doctorate in Information Science in 2015 from the University of North Texas, Denton. In addition to my pastoral ministry and spiritual exercises, I'm also a lover of academics. I became an American citizen in 2018.

I love writing, reading and exploring new ideas. My hobbies include watching movies (especially adventures, dramas based on true life stories and comedy – I don’t like movies that make me sad!!!), listening to music (among my best genre is country music, especially old country) and watching sports (soccer and basketball are the top two). I have gradually learned to understand American football. So far, I have gotten more interested in football as friends helped me to navigate it. At least, I now know more than when there is a touchdown! However, my brain is yet to comprehend baseball, but there is hope.

Finally, I love it when I'm called by my last name (Fr. Dankasa) because of its meaning: ‘Son of the Land’. It reminds me to always adapt to my environment, hence my preference for the name. Above all, being a priest is the biggest gift God has given me and I love sharing my priesthood with others. The ability to serve God by bringing Him to people is my greatest delight, because through ministering to people I also bring God to myself. I’m delighted to serve at Holy Family, in Irving. I’m here for you. I want to know you and pray with you. I have not come here to solve a problem, because there is no problem that I’m aware of. I’m at Holy Family in order to accompany you, the good parishioners of this community, in our journey of faith. And I want to do that in joy, peace and love. I look forward to a good working relationship and an enriching spiritual experience with you all.