My name is Debbie Miller and I'm the Pastoral Associate at St. Thomas a'Becket. In my years of ministry I've been blessed to have served at five different parishes in the State of Michigan, and have a broad spectrum of experience in parish life. For several years I taught school in both Saginaw and Alpena. Then in Walled Lake I served as Religious Education Coordinator in a parish which concentrated on the spiritual formation of the entire family, parents as well as children. I then went to Ecorse where I was Pastoral Associate for eleven years. I have been here in Canton for the past five years.

I am married. My husband, Rich, and I live in the rural community of Hamburg. Rich is a member of the Music Ministry here at St. Thomas a'Becket.

A very rich part of my own personal journey are the years I spent as a member of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. They have been the single most important influence in forming my identity, not only in ministry, but as a woman in today's Church.

As Pastoral Associate, my responsibilities include the baptismal program (about 25 children are baptized monthly), pastoral counseling, visiting the sick and homebound, liturgy and music planning, the Christian Service Commission and an overall ministry of presence within our parish family. My e-mail address is debbieumiller@hotmail.com.

On a monthly basis, or according to individual need, either the Pastoral Associate or another member of our parish family visits those who are homebound or anticipating a stay in the hospital. "Homebound" means that a person is either temporarily unable to come to church because of sickness or surgery, or that someone is chronically ill, of advanced age or dying. Contact Debbie Miller if you would like to be visited.

If you would like to become involved in parish liturgies as a liturgical minister, please contact Debbie Miller. Areas of service in which you might be interested include: Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Usher, Altar Server, or a member of one of the Choirs.