Msgr. Frank S. Miller, 87, died Nov. 10, 2017

Msgr. Frank S. Miller, a Catholic priest for 63 years, died Nov. 10, 2017 in Waco at the age of 87. He was born on Aug. 29, 1930 in Fort Worth to Frank S. and Philomena Pavlicek Miller. He attended Sacred Heart Academy in Waco and graduated from Waco High School in 1947.
 
He attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Austin on May 29, 1954 by the Most Rev. Wendelin J. Nold, Bishop of Galveston, at St. Mary’s Seminary Chapel. He celebrated his First Mass at St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption in his hometown of Waco on June 6, 1954. In 1985 he received the title of Prelate of Honor by the Holy Father.
 
After his ordination, he was appointed parochial vicar at Guardian Angel Parish in Wallis in 1954, at St. Mary, Church of the Assumption Parish in West in 1959 and at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Granger in 1963. His first assignment as pastor was in 1965 at Holy Rosary Parish in Frenstat and its mission at St. Joseph in Dime Box. He then served as pastor in 1969 at St. Martin Parish in Tours and its mission parish at St. Joseph Mission in Elk, along with prison ministry. Following an 8-month medical leave, in 1974 he served as parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish in Bryan, then in 1975 as pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Marlin. In 1976, he again served as pastor at St. Martin Parish in Tours and St. Joseph Mission in Elk. In 1987, he served as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Gatesville, adding the prison ministry in 1991, and the mission at St. Thomas Parish in Hamilton in 1992. Msgr. Miller retired in May of 1994 to move to Abbott in the diocese of Fort Worth to care for his mother and assist in area parishes, and finally served part-time as the sacramental minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Abbott and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Penelope.
 
Msgr. Miller was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Philomena Miller, his sisters, JoAnn Carpenter and Sister Margaret Miller, S.S.M.N. and a nephew, Thomas Carpenter. Survivors include his brother, Eugene Miller, his sister, Frances Pustejovsky and her husband Emil of Abbott, and brother-in-law Edwin Carpenter of Dallas, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
 
A rosary and vigil will be held at St. Mary, Church of the Assumption in West on Friday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. with visitation to follow until 8 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be concelebrated at St. Mary, Church of the Assumption in West on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 9 a.m. with Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez presiding.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Priest Retirement Fund, the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, or the charity of your choice.
 
You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Msgr. Frank in the memorial guest book found at www.aderholdfuneralhome.com.