With reverence, contagious smile, volunteer with Down syndrome inspires Michigan parish

NOVI, Mich. (OSV News) — Around the Novi area, many are already familiar with Robby Heil.

With his contagious smile and warm personality, people might recognize 26-year-old Robby from his famous touchdown for the Novi Wildcats during a 2016 football game. Or, maybe they know Robby from his appearance in Keith Famie’s PBS documentary, “Chromosomally Enhanced: What’s Your Superpower?” Soon, others will recognize Robby’s Rudy-like story in a fictional film that is in production, inspired by his life.

However, where Robby, who has Down syndrome, is perhaps most known and has the biggest impact is at St. James Parish, where he serves as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“I’m working on Robby becoming a saint,” said Charles Heil, Robby’s dad and “Uber driver.” “I am pretty sure there are people who come to Wednesday night Mass and want to receive Communion from Robby. They meet him, and he’s in the news a lot, so many people know him. If you’re around Robby, you become a happy person.”

Heil stays busy as Robby’s designated chauffeur — where Robby goes, Heil goes, and Robby’s schedule is packed. In addition to serving as a Eucharistic minister and carrying the cross in procession before and after Mass, Robby recently joined a video team at the parish and fills his time with baseball, basketball and power lifting.

Robby and Heil also make time for trips to Disney World — Robby’s favorite character is Mickey Mouse — and recently returned from Rome, where they walked through all of the Holy Doors for the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Almost every day, the pair visit the gravesite where Robby’s mom, Debbie, is buried, followed by a trip to Starbucks.

Heil attributes all of Robby’s experiences and involvement with the church to his late wife, who passed away nearly five years ago after a battle with breast cancer, but not before she saw Robby score that famous touchdown.

“We are here because my wife talked to our pastor, Father Ed Zaorski, and she’s why Robby scored the touchdown — she spoke with the coach,” Heil told Detroit Catholic, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Debbie was also instrumental in ensuring Robby received his first Communion 20 years ago, when, Heil explained, it was a challenge for churches to accommodate children with Down syndrome.

In recent years, the church has become better at accommodating people with special needs, Father Zaorski said.

Before he was a priest, Father Zaorski said he worked as the director of the Archdiocese of Detroit’s office ministering to those with disabilities, and he’s seen the changes over the years.

“This was way back when folks were still institutionalized. People didn’t fully understand persons with challenges, and we knew we had to do more,” Father Zaorski said. “I think if anything, (Robby) is a real example not only for people with Down syndrome, but for all young people. If Robby could do it, everyone should do it.”

Robby and Father Zaorski have developed a friendship and mutual respect over the years.
“I love him; he’s doing well every day,” Robby said.

Robby once dressed up as Father Zaorski for Halloween — complete with a bald cap.

“Robby spars with me on occasion, but it’s with love,” Father Zaorski laughed. “Most people in the parish know Robby probably more than they know me,” he added, jokingly.

Father Zaorski admires Robby’s reverence for the Eucharist and says it sets an example for the rest of his parishioners at St. James.

“Every time he receives or distributes the Eucharist, there’s such reverence — it is a wonderful sign and symbol of how we should all truly appreciate the Eucharist,” the priest said. “When Robby’s giving out Communion, people really approach with reverence. You can tell with his reverence and the way he distributes, he knows what the Eucharist is, and I think that’s a testimony to his mom and even his dad really forming him in the faith.

“He’s been an inspiration for people with Down syndrome and all the young folks,” Father Zaorski added.

Gabriella Patti is a staff reporter for Detroit Catholic, the online news outlet of the Archdiocese of Detroit. This story was originally published by Detroit Catholic and distributed through a partnership with OSV News.

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