Father David Miller was born and reared in Springfield, Missouri. With only about 1/3 of the priests in our diocese being native, he is one of them. He is also one of few priests in this diocese that is a convert to Catholicism. He joined the Church at Saint Agnes Cathedral in Springfield in his junior year of high school.

His vocation quest took him many places. He was a teaching Brother out west for several years, and later, while teaching high school in the South Pacific he felt God's call to the priesthood. His studies were initially in Chicago, later in our diocese, and even spent a year in Texas. It was a busy time!

Father David was ordained a Deacon and then six months later, ordained a Priest in Lebanon, Missouri. He served as an Associate Pastor at Immaculate Conception in Springfield and Saint Mary's in West Plains. From there he was an Administrator at Sacred Heart Church in Salem and later was made their Pastor. He was at Sacred Heart Church in Webb City for ten years and that is where Hispanic and Vietnamese ministries began.

Then, he moved to Barry County to Pulaskifield where he lived, while also working in Cassville. After three years there, he was moved to Cassville and that is when he became Pastor of our Holy Family Catholic Church here in Shell Knob.

What does Father David say about being Pastor of two churches? "While I share now two parishes of southern Barry County, I find them a joy and busy places. The Shell Knob parish continues to grow and our new Church was built to hold the crowds - especially our summer people as we can pack our new Church!"

Father David has a long history of building projects:
Rectories Remodeled 4
Rectories Built 1
Churches Remodeled or Additions 4
Churches Built 2

He also assisted in Saint Mary's School, Joplin, building project, the Web City Parish did one classroom in that project.

Besides his extremely busy schedule running two different parishes, Father David has volunteered:
Probation Officer
Member of Probation and Advisory Board
Ethical Representation - Saint John's Joplin Hospital Advisory Board
Newman Club Spiritual Advisor
Hispanic/Vietnamese Ministry
Barry/Lawrence County Multi-Cultural Center - President of the Board
Shell Knob Alliance of Churches
Table Rock Federal Credit Union (President)
Region II PCCW Spiritual Director

He is an amazing priest, truly dedicating his life to Christ and helping others. The weekend Mass schedule alone is indicative of his dedication to his parishioners. He offers Mass on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in Cassville and then travels to Shell Knob for a 6:00 p.m. Mass. Sunday mornings give him little time between Masses with an 8:30 a.m. Mass in Shell Knob, a 10:30 a.m. Mass at Saint Edward's and then a Spanish Mass at noon at Saint Edward's. His weekday schedule is always full too, with weekday Mass, meetings as well as his ministering to all of his parishioners. Church socials? He's there - not just eating, but even helping with clean up! And remember, he's there for two parishes, not just one.

There is a saying - "Laughter is God's hand on the shoulder of a troubled world." Well, Father David shares laughter with us all. He is there for us - he always has a smile and has a wonderful sense of humor - he delivers a positive message about a loving God - he is compassionate. We are very blessed to have Father David Miller as our Pastor!


(History Information from Father David)