EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is the text of the homily at the April 16 funeral Mass for Father George Schroeder, a senior priest of the diocese and pastor emeritus of St. Mary’s Parish, Rock Island. His obituary is found here. The homilist was Msgr. Paul Showalter, vicar general of the Diocese of Peoria.

We gather this morning at historic St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church to give thanks to God for the life and priestly ministry of Father George Schroeder. (Is it Schrader or Schroder? We could never get it straight.) On behalf of Bishop Jenky I offer our special condolences to his three sisters, his family and all of his close friends at St. Mary’s.

Miracles and surprises are a special part of each of our lives. Each day can be new and a deeper revelation of God’s love and plan for each of us. Whenever death comes and touches one dear to us it comes as a surprise. Even for one who may have a serious illness, when death comes . . . . it is a surprise and a miracle.

It was probably a surprise for Father Schroeder the other evening when he fell, he found himself in the process of dying and rising. It was his faith in the Risen Christ Jesus that sustained him, gave him hope and strength and was with him that evening. I bet you he was surprised, but welcomed the reality of meeting Christ in the new and special way.

Each day he would meet Christ and his presence in the sacrifice of the Mass, which was so much a part of his life. In the moment of his passing, he shared in the miracle of Jesus’ Passion, death and Resurrection. He believed — and we believe — there is resurrection and life after death.

I grew up in Rock Island, down the street at Sacred Heart Parish. I knew of Father George but never would have guessed I would follow him as pastor in June 1992. In fact, when I did get ready to be pastor of St. Mary’s, he told me he needed another week before I could take over. He tried to hold off his retirement as long as he could. But even as he retired, he continued to be so tied into the life of this parish until he passed away. Daily he would appear for Mass with his rolled up cassock and Latin breviary to concelebrate or cover the Mass when I took a day off.

His life centered around the Mass. The Holy Eucharist was at the heart of who he was as a priest. He adapted well with the changes of Vatican II and incorporated them into the life of the parish. When the city of Rock Island decided to improve 4th Avenue in front of church, it necessitated removing the front steps. He built the new entrance and “glass house” as we call it along with a new church tower. He was able to purchase bells for his new tower from a parish that had recently removed them from their deteriorating tower.

He was a liturgist to the core, loved music and personally directed the choir. He believed the difference between good liturgy and poor liturgy was about 15 minutes. People from all over the Quad Cities came to like him and be part of St. Mary’s.

The statue of St. John the Baptist was placed close to the baptistery which when I came had been moved to the left side of the sanctuary as I look at you. I had heard stories of how Father Schroeder might walk into the sanctuary to shorten the preaching of a visiting priest. I can’t tell you how many times I would see the figure of John the Baptist with his arm outstretched pointing at me, believing it was Father Schroeder urging me to cut the homily short and move on.

He was a good priest, friend, confessor and steward of the gifts to the Church.

Father baptized, catechized, married and anointed so many people over his 50 years here, which is the reason you remember him fondly. He loved the children. It was a sad day when the decision was made to close the parish school. He made a pledge to continue their religious education. He bought a used bus and each week would transport children from all over Rock Island to the school for religious instruction. He turned a room in the rectory into a video studio where he made an instructional tape for each level for each weekly class, the students would listen, watch and fill in answer sheets about the faith.

He was a bit of a health nut. With apologies, he would never drink Rock Island water. He would transport jugs of water from Chicago. Once he caught me filling a water bottle in the sacristy with tap water to be used at Mass and he about died, scolding me and asking how long I had been doing it.

He loved skating, skiing in the Alps of Austria because of the warm Mediterranean breezes. He had no desire to go to Colorado. When I moved in, I discovered a pair of in-line skates he would soon retrieve.

I must say while sometimes it can be difficult for a new pastor with a retired former pastor around second guessing decisions and looking over one’s shoulder. Father George was never anything but helpful and supportive . . . . most of the time.

When Pope John Paul II made his visit to the United States and went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, he singled out that he wished to meet Archbishop Sheen who was in the crowd of bishops in the sanctuary. As Bishop Sheen approached him, the Holy Father embraced him and said, “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus Christ, You are indeed a loyal son of the Church.”

Those words could most aptly be applied today to Father George Schroeder. Let us remember him especially in prayer and at Mass. May his soul and all of the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.