While those two organizations have most benefited from his talents, he’s also volunteered to help the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart by cutting grass for hours and assists with music planning and directing for special events at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Loretto. He also uses his writing and public relations talents in crafting communications for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

It’s all in addition to teaching classes at Bishop Carroll and seven additional titles which bring responsibilities for admissions, alumni and development, campus ministry, public relations, student ambassador and senior class advising, fundraising, field trip coordinating and managing the school spirit store.

He graduated from Bishop Carroll in 2001 and received his Bachelor of Arts in secondary education with a concentration in social studies from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 2005. He earned his master’s degree in 2008 in curriculum and education.

“This place meant a lot to me growing up,” Nagy said of the high school, recalling how after his college graduation the school had no openings. “Then, I got called in to be a long-term sub and I said ‘yes’ and it started from there. It’s been 20 years of coming back to the school that gave me so much that I wanted to give back.”

Jonathan Nagy accompanies the children's choir rehearsal at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Loretto — just one of the many activities he juggles, including high school history teacher, alumni relations director, church music director, tour director, volunteer, piano teacher, church historian and many more at Bishop Carroll High School and the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Loretto. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

As a student, his teachers showed him caring support and encouraged his faith development, all of which continue to inspire him and reflect in his own interactions with students.

His friend, Monica Hogue of Loretto, said he connects with children from elementary school to middle school and teenagers, as well as adults.

“He is very well-liked, he’s easy to laugh with and a good attentive listener,” she said. “I would call him an idea man. He’s very creative and constantly pushing himself to come up with new fundraising ideas, new songs, new ideas and looking for new ways to reach out.”

Nagy has been involved in the cause for sainthood of Father Demetrius Gallitzin, who was born of nobility and renounced his wealth and titles and came to America to study for the priesthood. Ordained in 1795, Gallitzin was the first priest to receive all his orders in preparation for priesthood in the United States, according to the website devoted to his cause for canonization. Sent on a sick call to the McGuire Settlement, he received the bishop’s permission to serve as the area pastor in 1799. It was Gallitzin who renamed the settlement “Loretto.”

The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Loretto was founded by Gallitzin in 1799 and is the oldest parish in Cambria County. Four hundred families call it their spiritual home. The church, built in 1901 with a donation from Mr. & Mrs. Charles M. Schwab, was named by Pope John Paul II a minor basilica in 1996.

Nagy, through his research, learned his ancestor, Francis McConnell and his seven siblings became orphans after their parents were killed in a carriage accident. He and his siblings were adopted by Gallitzin.

“It’s all tied together and, I believe, part of God’s master plan, like ‘here’s what I want you to do and here’s where I need you to be.’ Because now I spend a good deal of my time sitting at an organ which is 50 feet from where (Gallitzin) is buried. And, I spend time in his house giving tours. And, I’m here doing Catholic education. The whole story doesn’t and shouldn’t make sense. But I love the school. I love these kids. … It’s all so enjoyable that it doesn’t feel like work.”

Fosters love of learning, music

Nagy works with some of his former teachers and sees it coming full circle as he taught some of the parents of the incoming freshman class.

Hogue first met Nagy as her son’s teacher at Bishop Carroll about 15 years ago.

“He’s an advocate for kids,” she said. “They trust him and talk to him. It’s amazing how much he cares for the school.”

In addition to teaching her two sons the piano, Hogue credits Nagy with making the music ministry at St. Michael’s “thriving and flourishing.”

Nagy has been caring for the church’s aging organ donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1901 as a gift to St. Michael. The last time it was repaired was in the 1960s.

“It’s the largest of its build and is the last survivor of its kind,” Nagy said of the organ, which has 2,200 pipes and sits in the bell tower.

A fund drive is underway to repair the organ for a cost of $600,000. Nagy found the scarce, skilled labor needed to make repairs and keep the organ playing, but that’s getting harder and harder to do. For a time this winter after prolonged low temperatures, Nagy wasn’t able to use the pipe organ at all.

“Carnegie bought over 7,000 organs for churches in his lifetime,” Nagy said. “Ours was the second and the most expensive” at $8,000. “If it was built today, it would be millions of dollars.”

It’s the organ’s place in history that has prompted Nagy’s involvement in the fundraising effort.

“When you think about Loretto, it’s a town built by, hopefully, a future saint. The church was built by a man who built the Pennsylvania Railroad. The organ was donated by a man who literally built America.”

Nagy’s work as a historian is showcased in an upcoming commemorative booklet to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the arrival of Father Gallitzin, which will be celebrated July 19. He’s involved in the Prince Gallitzin House Trust, where he leads tours and is a board member of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies, where he shares his musical talents with the wider community at the shrine during the summer’s outdoor Sunday evening Masses.

“He’s multi-talented and very capable. Anything he takes on he makes sure he researches and learns about it. He’s determined, organized and dependable,” Hogue said.

Together, children in the parish learn about music by participating in the children’s choir with many continuing in the music ministry into young adulthood, with many participating in the adult choir, too. Recently, Hogue said, several young adults have begun to cantor at weekend masses.

“He’s very dedicated to Catholic education and music ministry,” Hogue said. And Nagy’s musical efforts extend throughout the diocese.

Tony DeGol, secretary for diocese communications, said Nagy helps with the “Proclaim!” Christmas television show he hosts from the basilica.

“Jonathan always ends up playing a key role in the production of those shows by providing beautiful Christmas music as an organist, directing a priest Christmas choir, or having his Basilica adult choir or St. Michael School choir perform,” DeGol said. “Whatever I ask of him for those Christmas shows, he’s able to provide, and I really can’t imagine pulling off those productions without him.”

Nagy is also a columnist for the “Proclaim!” e-news platform.

“He’s a great writer, and he uses his columns to prompt readers to think about their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and what they can do to deepen that relationship,” he said.

Additionally, DeGol often reaches out to Nagy for help to connect with individuals who are featured on TV or in its related magazine.

“I can’t think of one time when he has not been able to fulfill one of my requests — especially when it comes to providing me with students and families who embody the spirit of Catholic education.”

Always contributing to the Church

The Very Rev. Father John D. Byrnes, rector of the basilica, described Nagy as “a self-educated musician who has enormous talent comparable to anyone who is professionally trained. He’s an enormously hard worker who is always willing to extend himself.”

Nagy helps prepare couples for nuptials, prepares music for funerals and is a volunteer music instructor at St. Michael Elementary School.

“It truly enhances our education program at St. Michael’s school to have the children exposed to great church music — Gregorian chant, as well as some contemporary music,” Byrnes said.

Byrnes praised Nagy’s abilities as a teacher and music director of the parish choir, which has about 20 members.

“He’s a very good example to them because of his deep commitment to the Catholic faith,” Byrnes said, adding Nagy’s positive relationships with children is why many choose to attend Bishop Carroll.

Bishop Carroll CEO Lynn Weber called Nagy an “outstanding teacher. In addition, he is truly passionate about not only teaching history but about Bishop Carroll. He has a genuine care and concern for each and every student. He’s instrumental in developing them into great human beings and adults.”

It’s why she nominated Nagy for Saint Francis University’s John Powers Award. Kerry Golden, Saint Francis’ dean of health sciences and education, said Nagy was among six educators selected from among 30 nominations for the award, which “recognizes teaching excellence, especially teachers who go above and beyond.”

Nagy was chosen as a recipient, Golden said, because of his many roles at the secondary school and how he serves as a role model for students — a theme repeated by many, including DeGol.

“I don’t think I can overstate his contributions to Bishop Carroll Catholic High School. He juggles more roles there than I can count,” DeGol said.

DeGol said he’s observed how students connect with him in the classroom and he makes learning fun by incorporating current events.

Nagy has also “nurtured the talent of many student musicians. I also think students see his dedication to the school through his willingness to wear so many hats. His example fosters school spirit and provides a great work ethic for the students to emulate. Above all, the students see he’s a guy who loves God and the Church and who generously shares his time and talent. He’s a role model and a great ambassador for Catholic education.”

As both are professionals serving the Church, “which never stops,” DeGol said, “it’s not a 9-to-5 job. Sometimes when I feel like I’m hitting a wall, I look at everything Jonathan accomplishes, and I’m inspired to keep moving forward in my own ministry.”

Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.

The Nagy file

Name: Jonathan Nagy

Age: 41

Residence: Loretto

Family: Parents, Don of Lilly and Sandi of New Germany; brother, Brett, sister-in-law, Jenn, and nephews, Jackson and Griffin, of Paoli; sister, Katie, and brother-in-law, Hussam, of Allen, Texas, and faithful dog Leia

Education: Graduate of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, 2001; University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Bachelor of Arts in secondary education with a concentration in social studies, 2005; University of Phoenix, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, 2008

Employment: Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, since 2005; Basilica of St.Michael the Archangel, since 2010

Community service: Volunteers as music instructor at St. Michael Elementary School, Loretto; contributor to Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown online, print and television publications; assists the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart and Carmelite Monastery in Loretto; Trustee for the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine and Prince Gallitzin Charitable Trust

Awards and honors: 2025 recipient of the Dr. John Powers Outstanding Educator Award, Saint Francis University; Bishop Carroll Teacher of the Year 2009, 2017, 2019; St. Vincent College Teacher of the Year 2009, 2018; Who’s Who Among American Teachers nominee, multiple times; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Educator of the Year Award, 2011