Obituary of Monsignor Kenneth Eugene Miller

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Msgr. Ken passed away quietly on Sunday, November 8, 2020 at Trinity Manor at the age of 81. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph Peter Miller and Magdalena Mary (Vogt); brothers Hugh and Patrick; and brother-in-law Greg Ryan. Msgr. Ken is survived by his sisters Irene Ryan and Sister Joan Miller R.N.D.M.; sisters-in-law Loretta and Mary; and many nieces and nephews.

Msgr. Ken was born in Weyburn, SK on March 29, 1939. He was the youngest of five siblings. His parents were strong in the faith with the family rosary and daily Mass. When Ken was five, the Miller family moved to Regina and were active members in Holy Rosary Cathedral Parish. Ken was a Mass server at a very young age and continued to serve until grade 12.  He was inspired to be a priest when he was in Grade 2 after watching the priest elevate the host at Mass. 

After completing High School at Campion in Regina, Ken was accepted at St. Peter’s Seminary, London, ON.  He received his Bachelor of Arts Philosophy with First Class Honors. In his four years of Theology, he received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from St. Peter’s Seminary.

Msgr. Ken was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1964 at Holy Rosary Cathedral by Archbishop M.C. O’Neill.

Father Ken operated the Catholic Teen Drop-in Centre for youth programs in the Archdiocese. Father Ken was very active in many areas of Catholic life. He was the pastor of a number of parishes in the Archdiocese of Regina. He served as Director of Organization and Development from 1986 - 2007, Director of Pastoral Services from March 1992 to February 1993; he was appointed Vicar General from June 2005 - June 2006 and re-appointed for a three-year period from June 2006 - 2009. Father Ken was conferred upon the rank of Prelate of Honour with the title of Monsignor and the Investiture in January of 2007.  He received the Major Degree Exemplification (Knights of Columbus) in 2009 and was a Life Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus.

He was a clear and independent thinker, who always showed concern for the people around him. His life was an example of service and kindness to others. His interests were wide and varied, from theological concerns that effect peoples' lives daily, to art and music, to being out with friends for coffee and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In all these things, he was a full participant and an avid fan.

Msgr. Ken was a tireless advocate for Catholic education not only within the Archdiocese of Regina, but across the province. As Supervisor of Catholic Education for Regina Catholic Schools, Msgr. Ken made sure that all students felt welcomed and valued at our schools. Though Msgr. Ken would be too modest to admit it, he was instrumental in establishing the Ukrainian Program within Regina Catholic Schools.

Msgr. Ken was also held in the highest regard by Regina Catholic Schools. The chapel at Miller Catholic Comprehensive High School is officially known as the Msgr. Ken Miller Chapel in honour of his devoted service and tremendous impact on the staff and students of Miller.

Following in the footsteps of those that had mentored him, Msgr. Ken mentored many seminarians who hold him in high esteem to this day. 

Msgr. Ken was very detailed and meticulous in any job he undertook. He took his duties as a priest very seriously and was always obedient to his bishop, always ready to serve wherever he was asked. He held a broad invaluable knowledge of the diocese that will never be replicated. Msgr. Ken was very pastoral, a good shepherd of the people.  His words spoken in an interview in 2010 “My heart is with Christ and Christ’s people”.  He had a winning smile and a good sense of humor.

Family was very important to Ken. He loved to celebrate get-togethers for all occasions. Ken took family members on several trips throughout the years. History and experiences were important to him.

Ken enjoyed weekly coffee sessions with family and friends to discuss current events and exchange ideas. He also looked forward to his monthly bridge games with fellow priests.

After celebrating 40 years of the priesthood, he looked back at his years of service with great satisfaction and joy. A grade 2 girl preparing for First Eucharist once asked, “You like being a priest, don’t you?”, he replied, “I love it”.

He said, “I have indeed been blest in so many ways. I give thanks to God for the gift of Faith and the gifts of the people of Faith who formed my life”.

Msgr. Ken was very loved and will be sincerely missed by so many. 

Visitation will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Sunday, November 15, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Prayers will follow at Holy Rosary Cathedral, 2104 Garnet Street Regina, SK at 3:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Rosary Cathedral on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held in Riverside Memorial Park. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, registration is required for Prayers and the Funeral Mass. Please register with Holy Rosary Cathedral at holyrosary@accesscomm.ca. To view the livestream of the service please click on the link above.