This is just heartbreaking. Fr. Mike came into our parish as pastor at a very critical time around 2003, in his very early 40’s. He was with us until 2011. Just a wonderful priest. He left and went to a parish across the river, to be closer to his own family. He’d had some health issues with us, including a horrific boating accident that required months of orthopedic rehab. And since leaving he’d had other health setbacks, but I don’t think anyone expected this.
Here’s the note he sent around on Good Friday –
Dear Friends,
I hope you are having a blessed Good Friday remembering the Lord’s great love for us as he hung upon the cross. I had planned on going to the Good Friday Service at St. Joseph’s Parish in Downingtown, PA with my family but things took an unfortunate turn for me today. I was rushed to the ER early this afternoon because of intense pain from another intestinal obstruction. I just learned that I will need more surgery tomorrow morning to deal with this most recent complication. I will be spending this Easter in the hospital but will be remembering all of you in my prayers as I give thanks for all your prayers, cards, gifts and acts of kindness.
I hope to send you an update on Easter Day and I continue to fight and look forward to the day when I can see you and pray with you again. I may be beat up but I’m not knocked out! And isn’t that the message of Easter anyway?
God bless all of you and thank you so much for your continued prayers.
On this Good Friday I eagerly await the glory and victory of Easter.
Love and blessings,
Fr. Mike
He had surgery Saturday, and then died on Easter.
Brigid reminded me that when I was in Sloan Kettering in January, 2004, Fr. Mike had called her to see how I was doing. He told her “I can’t wait til Tom gets home.” When I did get home he was the first person Brigid called.
Mike was a super regular guy. And solid. He played football in high school and lifted weights – the parish got him a sub at the local gym. Here he is with ex-NY Giants linebacker Byron Hunt, who played eight years for the Giants in the 1980’s.
And with our friend Damian at the annual Village Summerfest, helping out at the large Church stand.
At Senasqua Park, charming Brigid.
Classic. I think Brigid took this picture as he was packing up in June, 2011 to move to his new parish.
Michael Keane. “A priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Will be missed by so many people.
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