When someone “important” dies, attention is paid and media flocks to report the passing. MOST of us are not “important” in the eyes of media. Probably, most of us don’t want to be. However, there are some who may be unknown to the media or the general population who truly deserve a tribute. Reverend Thomas Schiffer, who passed away on April 30, 2008, is one those people.

My sister called me the evening of April 30 to tell me that a very beloved member of the family had died.

He was my father's first cousin and the two of them were best friends growing up. In fact, HE introduced my parents to each other while they were all in high school.

My first cousin once removed (is THAT how it goes?) became a Catholic Priest.

But he was NEVER removed from our family. As I was growing up, Father Tom was always a part of my life. He and his parents, my great-aunt and great-uncle, as well as his brother and sisters were constant in my life.

When my parents celebrated their 25th Anniversary, he performed the ceremony renewing my parent's wedding vows; in the home of his deceased parents (my father’s aunt and uncle, my great-aunt and great-uncle.)

Afterward, we kids had planned a surprise party for our parents and Father Tom kept them after our dinner so we could escape to the surprise party. THAT small indulgence to us pales in comparison to what he did in his own life.