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| Audrey Lukes from Sun Prairie prays at the tomb of Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap, at his final resting place in Detroit. The Capuchin priest and Wisconsin native will be beatified on Saturday, Nov. 18, at a Mass at Ford Field in Detroit. (Contributed photo/Audrey Lukes) |
SUN PRAIRIE — If you mention the name “Shorty” to anyone who has lived in Sun Prairie for the past several decades, they’ll probably know exactly who you are talking about.
His wife, Audrey, will talk about the man who was more than six feet tall, “very athletic,” worked for the county, was a war veteran, went dancing with her all the time, and ran to work every day.
He and his young family met a big challenge when in 1955, at age 31, he was stricken with polio and was paralyzed from the chest down.
Audrey said they had to “change our whole lifestyle”.
This world lost Shorty, also known as Norman Lukes, nearly six years ago at the age of 87.
At the time of his passing, his life, and that of his family, served as an example of faith in God and walking with the Lord, facing life’s challenges.
More than 300 miles away, on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Detroit’s Ford Field, another man, who lived to roughly the same age of 86, will be taking the next step toward canonized sainthood.
More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the beatification Mass for Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap, in a venue more commonly known as the home to the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
What is the connection between Shorty and Father Casey?
The connection is faith in the Lord and a brief encounter with each other toward the end of Venerable Father Casey’s life.
