IN REMEMBRANCE: Fr. Gregory Schmitt, C.Ss.R.
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July 15, 2024(Additional information provided by Br. Leo Patin and Br. Gerry Patin)Fr. Gregory Schmitt, C.Ss.R. died unexpectedly on June 30 while still hospitalized and recuperating from a routine medical procedure in Kansas City, only three days after celebrating his 81st birthday and the 55th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.Known for his generous spirit, Fr. Greg served primarily in parish ministry and as a member of the Parish Mission Team. He was still preaching for Unbound and involved with the social services programs at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Church at the time of his death.
George and Agnes Schmitt welcomed Gregory John Schmitt on June 27, 1943 in Whitefish Bay, WI. While in high school, Greg received a tour of St. Joseph’s College in Edgerton, WI from his uncle, Fr. Raymond Schmitt, esteemed Provincial Superior of the former St. Louis Province. Greg was seriously considering a career in engineering, so he decided to continue studies at Marquette High School, a Jesuit institution in nearby Milwaukee.After graduation he chose the path to the priesthood and entered St. Joseph’s College in Edgerton, WI in 1961. He was deemed a conscientious, intelligent student with mature judgement, and was well liked by his classmates, who appreciated his droll sense of humor.He proceeded to novitiate at Mount St. Clement’s in DeSoto, MO and professed temporary vows on August 2, 1964. Greg began his theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Oconomowoc and professed perpetual vows on August 26, 1967.He continued his theological studies at Mount Saint Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, NY and was ordained to the priesthood on June 27, 1969 by Archbishop William E. Cousins, DD of Milwaukee in the Chapel of Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, WI.
The newly ordained priest continued his education at Mount Saint Alphonsus Seminary, where he graduated cum laude with Master’s degrees in Divinity and Religious Education in 1970. After completing Tirocinium at St. Alphonsus “Rock” Parish in St. Louis, he was assigned at St. Alphonsus Parish in Minneapolis in 1971. Four years later, he was appointed associate director of Queen of Peace Retreat Center in Fargo, ND. He joined the Mission Team stationed at St. Alphonsus Parish in Chicago in 1978, and traveled throughout the country as an itinerant preacher for six years.Fr. Greg was appointed pastor and superior of the local community at St. Brigid Parish in Midland, MI in 1984. Parishioners and staff appreciated his decisiveness, open communication and leadership style. He continued to enhance his effectiveness in ministry with courses and seminars focused on liturgy, preaching and parish administration. Six years later, he was assigned as pastor and superior of the local community at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Parish in Kansas City.
In addition to responsibility for the busy parish, he was involved in its many social services outreach programs to the larger community from 1990 until 1996. During this time, he also served as a member of the Extraordinary Provincial Council and on various committees serving the former St. Louis Province.Fr. Greg served as pastor and superior of the local community at Sacred Heart Parish in Seattle from 1997 until 2002. He was committed to sustaining the Sacred Heart Shelter, which provided 90-day shelter for families and single women, and successfully facilitated communication between business leaders, neighbors and governmental agencies grappling with the homeless situation in the area.Fr. Greg was named director of Holy Redeemer Center in Oakland in 2003 and assumed responsibility for revitalizing the retreat ministry. After two years, he returned to parish ministry. He served as pastor of St. Mary’s Assumption Parish in New Orleans from 2005 until 2011, when he joined the Mission Team stationed at St. Michael Parish in Chicago. He began preaching for Unbound in 2014, and completed preacher awareness trips to Costa Rica and Guatemala for the charitable sponsorship organization.
Fr. Greg was 75 years old when he returned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Parish in Kansas City as a missionary in residence in 2018. He devoted more time to his favorite hobbies – golf and carpentry – but he continued to invest himself in what he believed in, preaching for Unbound and volunteering with the parish’s social services programs until the time of his death.Confreres, family and friends celebrated a 7:30 pm Memorial Mass on Tuesday, July 9 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Parish in Kansas City. A vigil service is planned at 7:00 pm on Friday, July 12 at the St. Clement Chapel in Barnhart. A 10:00 am Mass of Resurrection is scheduled on Saturday, July 13, followed by burial at the Redemptorist Cemetery. A Memorial Mass for family and friends is planned on August 2 in Whitefish Bay.Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.