As the Catholic community in Lafayette knows, we lost the epitome of priests on June 1, 2011, Father Miller. I will always have fond memories of Father Miller. He always was in the back of church to greet you before mass and after mass, always sang or hummed the hymn, and never forgot a name. He was the glue that held the parish together during three transitions of pastors. He always brought a smile to my face, especially when he would wear his Notre Dame pants on Football Saturdays (while the majority of the parish wore Old Gold and Black) and ask Jeff, "Say, how about those Boilers."
I have a special memory of Father Miller, actually two, but one that I will never forget. One of Father Miller's most special characteristics was the love he felt for his fellow man - Catholic, non-Catholic, Christian, or non-Christian - and he was there for all of us whether we were healthy or not. One of his priestly ministries that he took very seriously was visiting the sick. When our son Jacob was born in January 2006, Father Michael McKinley was pastor of St. Ann's and fighting for his life due to a ruptured appendix in St. Elizabeth Hospital on the other side of town. On our last day in Home Hospital, Father Miller came to see Jacob and I to pray with us and offer a blessing. I remember standing beside Father Miller as he gave Jacob his first blessing and will never forget the feeling of peace that he provided. From that day on, he always asked about Jacob and would always call him by his first and middle name - Jacob Matthew. And as a small repayment of the many favors and prayers that he offered, we have added him to our nightly prayer asking that God grant him peace and special blessings.
In other news, Jacob has been playing baseball in the Lafayette Shetland league for 4 & 5 year olds. The first game was pretty much organized chaos. Whenever the ball was hit by the opposing team, our entire team tried to field it, no matter how close or far the ball was to them. In just four games, the kids have really improved. Now only 2-3 kids try to field the ball instead of the entire team of 13 and many of the kids can almost throw the ball from 2nd base to first base without hitting the ground. At the last game, the big thing between both teams was to slide into home plate (for those of you that don't know, the kids are not supposed to slide). I am by no means a sports fan, but I have really enjoyed watching the games and cheering for all of the players - from our team or the opposing team. Jacob has gotten a lot better also at hitting, fielding, and throwing. He is not (and probably won't be) a Ryne Sandberg or Clayton Richards, but in his words, "I am a ballplayer, Mom!".
I would like to commend the coaches also - Mr. Shipman, Mr. Munn, and Mr. Siemers. They have all been wonderful with the kids and working with them to improve. Just would like to say - Great Job, Guys!!
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