I’ve never done a book review on my blog before, but I couldn’t resist mentioning this one. It was written by my favorite priest. I’m not Catholic, so you might think that gives Father Mike an unfair advantage in the favorite priest contest. But you have to understand he’s up against some pretty tough competition like Bing Crosby in Going My Way, or Father Flanigan of Boy’s Town. And, with all that, Father Mike is still my favorite.
This book is a collection of stories from his ten years in one local parish. I don’t know a single person in the book, yet I know them all. These are stories of faith, of family, of community in the very best sense of the word.
And most of all, these are stories from a shepherd’s heart. To quote another favorite movie line, Fr. Mike has the usin’ kind of religion, not just the meeting house kind.
My family has been the recipient of his love many times through the years. In fact, one summer we found ourselves between homes for a few weeks. All our friends felt terrible about the problem. While they were all talking about what to do, Fr. Mike started airing out the closed up rooms of his rectory. He ordered two new air-conditioning units from the hardware store, and he warned the housekeeper to lay in some extra Diet Coke.
Then he opened the door, waved his long arms, and said, “Come in, come in! Stay with me!!!”
And so we did.
That is why I love this book so much. Because while Fr. Mike set out to describe the wonder of his flock, he revealed the essence of himself. And in that essence, I see Christ.
Not the serene, benevolent, smiling Christ of classical paintings, though. This is Jesus in real-life. Fr. Mike describes prom dresses and basketball games, death-beds and weddings, laughter and tears. In one story, he talks aboutĀ a hospital visitation where he found a grieving father in the hallway. The man said, “I don’t think my little girl is going to make it through the night.”
Father Mike gathered his annointing oils, glared at the door of the sick room and said, “The heck she isn’t.”Ā That four year old is a high school junior now.
If you’d like to read more about Fr. Mike and his friends(and donate to the worthy cause of the parish school) just email me and I’ll send you the address to order your own copy. It’s a worthy read.
I’ve always been a little sad that I never met the Fr. Mike so many of you used to talk about. He definitely seemed like a guy you’d want to know.
Ya, Father Mike definitely rocks!
Fr. Mike does Rock – he is the man ! I am blessed to have been in his parish for the time he has been our shepherd. He definatly in Christ among us.
“he revealed the essence of himself. And in that essence, I see Christ.” I’ve heard you tell of this man and it’s always been with such honor!
O.K. I can’t stand it—send me the info please š
I am the mother of the little girl Father Mike discusses in the second story of his book. I cannot begin to explain the special role this wonderful man has played in my family’s life. He truly reveals Christ in everything he does!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Roberta! Praise God for Emily’s healing and for putting a man like Fr. Mike in all our lives.
Hi Kathy,
I’m the mother of Ellie, the cancer survivor who Fr. Mike wrote in his book. Ellie also wrote a letter to Serenity when she was sick. Father Mike keeps us up-to-date on her and how her little ones are doing! Your review of his book was so awesome!! You hit the nail on the head with all of the great comments you made!! It’s a fact that to know him is to love him!
Debbie Koehly
Thank you so much for writing, Debbie! It is wonderful that we share the title “Mother of a Cancer Surviving Daughter!!!” And that we share our sweet Fr. Mike.
Hello Kathy,
I am the mother of the girls in the “PMS” story on Page 57. We honestly didn’t plan than when we named each one. But the story goes on… my initials are PMS, and Paige, the “P” in PMS shares the very same PMS initials. When she was about 12 or 13, she asked us why we had to give her ‘those’ initials and her dad told her that if she didn’t like the initials of PMS to just find a guy to marry whose last name begins with something besides “S” and her problem would be solved. Well, with Fr. Mike’s help – he played Mr. Matchmaker – she will be plagued with those initials forever. This summer she will be marrying a guy whose last name begins with “S”. We are very pleased that Fr. Mike will be performing the ceremony. He is truly an amazing man, friend, confidant, and priest. We feel so blessed to have him in our lives!
Sincerely,
Peggy Marie Schmit (PMS)
Oh! Thanks so much for stopping by, Peggy! It is so fun to “meet” the actual players in Fr. Mike’s book. It is such a privilege to share this guy. Hope we get to meet in person someday.
I went to high school with Fr. Mike at St. Pius in Festus, Mo. We also went a year to college together. We have reconnected the last couple of years. He has touched so many lives with his love and generosity. Your description of him is so accurate. I loved his book. I couldn’t set it down once I started reading it.
Very cool, Jeannette! Thanks for getting in touch with me.
Hi Mrs. Nickerson. My name is Jordan Aulbur. Today is my last day of school at St. Pius. I want to thank you for writing about Fr. Mike’s book. I’m the one who beat leukemia and hit the three-pointer at the buzzer on the two month anniversary of my bone marrow transplant. I’m going to miss being at St. Pius. Now I’m perfectly healthy and am grateful for all the prayers the people in our parish prayed for me. I hope you enjoyed my story!
Dear Mrs. Nickerson. I’m the little brother of the girl Fr. Mike bought the Prom dress for. I’m in the story: Brenda K and her clan. I love playing basketball and I love my Catholic faith. I’m so glad you wrote about Fr. Mike. My sister looked beautiful in that Prom dress, but don’t tell her I said that.
Fr. Mike always comes to our house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He is like a member of our family. Thank you for writing this story. I graduate from St. Pius on Saturday!
God bless you,
Graham Williams
Dear Jordan,
I am THRILLED to hear from you. Praise God for all the victories in your life both on and off the court!! Father Mike has meant so much to my children through the years; I understand how much he means to you.
May God bless you as you go forward in life. I’m praying that you will become a mighty man of God and touch many lives with the goodness of God you have received. I’d love to hear from you again and know how things are going for you.
Dear Graham,
It was so good to hear from you, and congratulations on your graduation! That is awesome. Don’t worry, I won’t tell your sister that you thought she looked good in the dress. It is a blast to share Father Mike with you guys. He’s really the greatest, isn’t he? May God bless you in your next step in life. Stay strong in your faith and you will be richly blessed.
kATHY; I remember youfrom my visits to Edina. i AGREE WITH YOU: fR.ike is a very good writer, and he is worthy reading and knowing. I’MGLAD HE’S STILL IN TOUCH WITH YOU. Fr. Fred Elskamp
Father Fred!!!!! I can’t wait to tell our kids I heard from you. How delightful. As I recall, Fr. Mike used me to pull a prank or two on you back in the day. Or was it the other way around??
Thank you so much for commenting. I pray your life is going wonderfully and all for the glory of God.
Blessings,
Kathy
Dear Mrs. Nickerson:
Iām the Jennifer from the story: Brenda K and her clan. I take full responsibility for teaching Father Mike to text message; someone has to ensure that such a happenin’ guy stays current! I love Father Mike and I love that he can cause one to become passionate about anything whether they like it or not. This is such an amazing accomplishment for him! Thank you for your wonderful review and maybe someday there will be more to review. Actually, I STILL have a work of his that he wrote for all of us girls when we graduated high school in 2004 so I know that there is more to come.
Thanks again!
Jennifer Lawrence
Kathy,
Eveything everyone has said about Father Mike is so true. He is the most generous, loving, wonderful man to ever have touched my life. I am the girl he bought the prom dress for and although I tell him all the time how much that meant to me, I dont think he realizes how precious I felt that day. We didn’t have much money and he took it upon himself to ensure that I had a gorgeous prom dress for my senior year. I have never felt more beautiful than the day I donned my white gown and went to prom, it was more than I could have ever hoped for. Father Mike has always been there for me whether it was when I had my surgery and he stayed with me, praying over me or when I broke up with my first boyfriend.
Father Mike is not only my preist but one of my best friends, a father figure, and a confidant. I love him and hope that everyone has the chance to let him touch their lives.
Thank you so much for this wonderful review of his amazing book.
God bless!
Stephanie Lawrence
Dear Kathy,
If you looking for a man who can complete yor dreams, Fr. Mike is the man! Last year father Mike took me to the home-run derby, and the All-Star game. Fr. Mike can make anybody’s day anytime. Trust me he is the BEST priest in the WORLD!!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by to join the unofficial Fr. Mike fan club, Max.
And thanks to the Lawrence girls for writing such beautiful tributes to a man who has made an obvious difference in your lives. I’m pretty sure he would say you are more of a blessing to him than he is to you. š
Hey Kathy! My name is Kaitlyn. I was the one in the book that was the 4 year old that almost didnt make it and who has the father that thought I wouldnt have made it through the night. I am very greatful for everything Fr. Mike has done for me. I thought I wouldnt have made it, but I believed in God, and im still here today. I will be a senior next year, and I’m ready to face the future without any worries. š
Oh, Kaitlyn! I love your story. Thanks for writing to me. I pray God will bless you with a fantastic senior year and that every day of your life will be filled with His goodness.
Kathy, I am Father Mike’s niece. I love his book and was close to tears many times throughout it. He makes me laugh so much. His happiness radiates everywhere he goes. He has helped me grow in my faith, even when he’s not in Georgia visiting. He’s down for my graduation now. Uncle Mike is AWESOME and it’s so nice to see how much love people have for him!
Dear Jessica,
You are the most fortunate of us all! You are related to Father Mike in both the natural and the spiritual. Give him a big hug from the Nickerson clan!
This is one of the best weekends I’ve had in a long time. My brother, Fr. Mike is visiting our family and we are ecstatic! We like to treat him like a king when he visits. My daughters, Jessica and Erica are honored to have Uncle Mike attend their graduations from 8th grade and high school. To top off the weekend Fr. Mike will officiate “Mass on the Grass” in our backyard on Sunday.
Fr. Mikes’ book traveled to work and back with me for about a week. I read a few stories at lunch each day. It was inspiring and very entertaining!
Dear Janna,
I’m so glad to hear about Fr. Mike having some time with you and yours. I know he must be a treasured brother and uncle. Thanks for sharing him with the rest of us.
Kathy, Iam Father Mike’s friend from highschool. He recognized me in his book as “the late blooming friendship”. Our memorable days on the yearbook staff and a few class reunions were the only connections that we had over many years. Yet when I desperately needed a divine intervention who does God send to me… my old friend, Father Mike. He is the true meaning of FRIEND and I feel very blessed to have him back in my life. As his book reveals, Father Mike can connect with anyone and leaves all of us with the same farewell… LUV YA
Dear Janet,
Aren’t we all grateful for friendship, even the late-blooming kind? Fr.Mike is such a treasure. I’m glad we share him.
Fr. Mike can see God in everyone he meets. I am glad he also writes down all his experiences. He helps me find God in the people around me each and every day. Thank you Fr. Mike for saying “yes” to God and inspiring me to be a faithful servant of God.
Mrs. Nickerson,
I just had lunch with Fr. Mike today, and he told me your blog is a “must read.” Of course I had to check it out. š I’m Gina, Kristina’s friend and sponsor in the story The Daughter I Never Had on pg. 54. Just as all the other “bloggers” mentioned in this post, Fr. Mike is truly one in a million. He is the most holy, generous, compassionate, sincere, and loving priest/friend you will ever meet! Thank you so much for your wonderful review of his book–it is treasured by many!
Sincerely,
Gina Kennison
Well, Gina, I’m completely jealous that you had lunch with our favorite priest! Wish I could have been there, too. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Kathy . . .
Fr. Mike told me about your blog. I am Marcey from the story “Timing is everything!” He was trying to pack to go to Stuebenville .. . and I looked over and I could tell he was not feeling well. My daughter Taylor was with me. .so the packing came to a screeching hault . .and we transported him quickly to Dr. Stitzer’s office. He was admitted into the hospital for observation of his heart. After we got him off his feet.. he came around quickly keeping us all laughing with his impressions!! I made calls to his sister and friends. .and because he is so loved. .it wasn’t long before that hospital room was packed!! It was like a party instead of a sick room! He hospital stay was brief. .and he was off to Steubenville. .we missed him so much!! As my son Hayden the Hurricane says. .there is nobody like Fr. Mike!! We are so blessed to have him in our lives!! Fr Mike has also been such a blessing with my Father and Mother . .they are both suffering from cancer! My Father was baptist and has attended church with us at the Catholic church our entire lives. Many priests have offered to confirm him quietly..but he has always refused. Father Mike touch him when he went out and annointed him in the hospital after he was first diagnosed!! He moved him so much. .He joined the church that following summer. Father Mike is a touched our family in sooo many ways.. everyone comes into your life for a reason. .he has definetly left his mark on our hearts!!
Marcey Berry
Thanks for writing, Marcey.I’m so glad to hear from you and so happy we share Father Mike!!!
I spent months reading Father Mike’s book because I did not want it to end! I’m fortunate that I have got to hear these stories from the man himself. My family moved to Moberly in Jan and Father Mike literally saved us. My husband and I are both physicians and believe God works through Father Mike. In the few months we’ve been together we have witnessed miracles. His compassion is tremendous, his soul is pure! I feel so blessed to have him in my life.
Father mike’s joyfullness is contagious. I’m so proud to call him my friend. Thank-you Kathy for doing this blog- Denise Freidel
What can you say about a priest who loves your mom and The Cardinals, but most of all loves his faith? You can call him Father Mike or Cole–man (as we did in college). His knowledge of sports is amazing; he can even remember scores of our high school games and who scored how many points!! Kinda spooky, if you ask me. My husband was a high school class mate of Mike’s, and we have are honored to call him a friend for many years. Maybe the most important comment: we love him and respect him and admire him and want to be more like him! He truly has touched our lives and his friendship is and has been such a blessing to us.
Father Mike is the dearest man on earth. I don’t know what any of us would do without him. And to think, he tells stories about all of us. Each one of us is so lucky to be held in this man’s heart.
Amen.