I believe I bought a book called “Father Joe” a couple of years ago with the best intentions of reading it, but I didn’t……fortunately for me however I now know the REAL Father Joe, and the picture proves it.   My friend Joe Mlaker was ordained a priest tonight by Bishop Doc Loomis somewhere near the North Pole (Lansing, Michigan……home of the Spartans) and it was a great time indeed.

This parish had been served by another good friend of mine, Jack Lumanog, who had recently moved to Pittsburgh (home of Big Ben – I do not think it is the clock).  Jack became the assistant to the Archbishop, and that meant that Joe could move to Lansing!  (Motto…..no cheese here).  Of course that is the problem.  Joe is from Wisconsin, and tonight in particular, Michiganers HATE people from Wisconsin.  But apparently the air was infused with ether, because they not only ordained Joe a priest, but they made him their Pastor.

But here’s the thing…..I KNOW JOE, and it was a GREAT CHOICE.  But sadly, if Wisconsin beats MSU for the Big Ten Championship tonight (in Indiana of all places) Joe will probably be fired.  But then I will pick him up and take him to Indiana, because as a Notre Dame fan I am not threatened by anything….(because we lose to everyone).

But here’s to you my friend Joe. You are a man of incredible faith and determination and I am blessed to be your friend.  Congratulations.  You were a great deacon and will make a fine priest!  I enjoyed visiting your parish!  It was a blessing to me, and you will be a blessing to them.

AND……if you live within 300, okay 500 miles of this parish, get up there and worship with Joe.  He is a great guy and he has a great deacon (Steve…..whose wife is a friend of my wife’s).  You will not be sorry!  It is a parish that is going somewhere all of us would like to go!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+