An angel among us

It's been a tough couple months with the deaths of family friend, Dan Kenneavy, and my college friend, Lindsey Wasley Lewis. Last Monday I heard the news that the priest from my home parish had suffered a fall last Monday in the bitter Wisconsin cold. With a traumatic brain injury, he'd been in a coma until this morning, when he left this world to be in the arms of our Lord Jesus. Fr. Mike was truly an angel - how blessed I am to have encountered such kindness and compassion from one human being.

One of my favorite memories of Fr. Mike was when I was about 6 years old (I'm 27 now!). I had asked my mom a question before mass and she told me that I should ask Fr. Mike the answer. After mass, I went to Fr. Mike and he kneeled down to my height and took my hand. I said, "If God made everything, then who made God?" He gently responded that God was so powerful that he made himself (a perfect answer for a young one!). I can still remember that moment like it was yesterday.

It seems like Fr. Mike has always been there. He gave me my first Communion, celebrated my first Reconciliation, and was there for my Confirmation. He's been an integral part of my life and I already miss him dearly I look forward to our reunion in Heaven. Life is hard sometimes, but it's reassuring to look at the vast amount of people who's lives have been touched by Fr. Mike. It's evident in the 9000+ page views on CaringBridge in less than a week and the 1200+ people in the "Pray for Fr. Mike" Facebook group. We've all been blessed to have him in our lives. Say a prayer, say a rosary, and know that he is at peace with our Creator.

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