Rev. Thomas Miller

I was ordained on October 1 ^st, 1977 along with 12 other men. I am one of nine children, the third child, the oldest son. My parents were Richard and Patricia Gallagher Miller.  We lived in Wexford where I attended St. Alphonsus Elementary School, St. Fidelis, and Richland High School. My undergraduate degree was in elementary education from Slippery Rock University with my seminary years at Mt.St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD. I enjoyed doing graduate work on a doctorate at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, stopping when my energies were diverted to building a new Church.  During the early years of my priesthood, I was assigned to serve in the parishes of St. Mary’s in Beaver Falls, Nativity, South Park and St. Albert the Great, Baldwin Borough.  I later served as Pastor in the Green County parishes of St. Marcellus and St. Thomas.  The longest tenure of my priesthood was at St. Joseph’s of O’Hara Twp. where I had the privilege of  serving as pastor for 15 years.  At St. Joseph’s we built a beautiful Church and a strong community of faith.  Prior to moving to the MPH grouping,  I served as the Administrator of St. Raphael/Sacred Heart in the East End of the City of Pittsburgh.  I am happy to join my fellow priests in serving this community. The highlight of my priesthood has been meeting  wonderful people in so many parishes.  I look forward to getting to know all of you.
 
Here is a beautiful prayer written by Blessed John Henry Newman who converted to Roman Catholicism from Anglicanism and someone who I have a devotion to. This prayer reminds us that we have been created by God for a specific mission – to serve God in all that we do. We need to answer God’s call in our lives. Our future is unknown but we need to pray to God to live our lives for his glory.
 
Oh My God, you have created me do some definite service. You have committed some work to me that you have not committed to another. I have my mission; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. I will trust you, whatever, wherever I am. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve you. If I am in perplexity, my perplexity may serve you.
If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve you. You do nothing in vain. You know what you are about. Though friends be taken away, though I feel desolate, though my spirits sink, though my future is hidden from me, yet I will trust you, for you know what you are about. I ask not so much to see as to be used: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Let’s pray for each other.
 Fr. Thom