Liguori Elects New President
Liguori Publications’ board of directors has elected Father Byron Miller, C.Ss.R., as president, effective Sept. 14. The former executive director of the National Seelos Shrine in New Orleans succeeds Father Donald Willard, C.Ss.R., who served as Liguori’s president for two years.
“I’m very happy to be here,” said Miller. “As we approach our 70th year of publishing (in 2017) at this location, we will continue to build on our rich legacy in new and innovative ways.”
“We are at our best when we connect pastorally with people in the marketplace, the pews, and any setting,” he said. “The opportunities are limitless whenever we can re-present the truth of the Gospel. It’s what we’re called to do as Redemptorists.”
“Fr. Byron has worked among the faithful for more than two decades,” said Virgil Tipton, Liguori’s publisher. “He knows the challenges parishes face in evangelizing and teaching. We’re excited about having his insight as we develop faith-formation programs and solutions that make it easier for parishes to offer meaningful faith experiences.”
Miller was born in Crowley, La., and was ordained a Redemptorist priest in 1990. He served in retreat ministry with young adults and as a parish priest at two culturally diverse parishes, Holy Ghost in Houston and St. Gerard in San Antonio. He also has been a vocation director and the local superior for the San Antonio community of Redemptorists.
In 2000, the province appointed him as the executive director of the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans. He also became the vice-postulator of the sainthood cause for Father Seelos, a Redemptorist who died in 1867.
At Liguori, “we will continue making the Gospel heard, and we’ll use new ways to do that,” said Miller. He also invited discussion and partnership with parish leaders and others involved in the work of evangelization.