Fr. John Schuetze 

John left St. Bernard Parish for ministry at St. John in Little Chute about a year ago, but remained a member of Council 10243.  Father Al, looking over the roster for candidate for a Spotlight article, called him to arrange an interview.  That same evening Al ran into KC Insurance Field Agent Karl Vandenberg in Freedom who proudly announced that he had recently gotten John to transfer to Little Chute.  “Priest Stealer,” was Al’s response and promised Karl vengeance.

 

John is one of those men who were helped through their seminary years by the Knights of Columbus.  Councils at Fort Howard, Denmark and Manitowoc assisted him as he made the journey toward Holy Orders.  He originally joined the Fort Howard Council and transferred to Council 10243 when he was assigned to St. Bernard.  His move to a Council in Little Chute marks his third Council.  He participated in the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree this April at Appleton.

 

A native of Manitowoc, John thought about the seminary on occasion, and attended Mt. Calvary High School.  After college he lived in Chilton and came into the program as a result of the “Called by Name” programs a few years back.  It was his grandmother who was responsible for having his name put in.  He began studies at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois in 1992 and graduated in 1997.  Ordained that same year, his first assignment was St. Bernard Parish where he had also had some experience as a Deacon.

 

In his current ministry at St. John, an average day usually involves a visit to the school or a local hospital or nursing home.  There’s also a great deal of time that needs to be devoted to sacramental preparation for weddings and other celebrations.  For relaxation he points out that in a “previous life” he was into soil conservation and that probably contributes to his love of the outdoors.  More recently, however, he’s become something of a ‘home body.’  He recently bought his brother’s old house and has been doing everything from painting to putting up drywall to laying a new floor.

 

Also having a great love of traveling, John has had the opportunity to visit Rome, Israel and numerous places around the United States.  Last year he spent some time in Mexico.  He’s also contemplating a visit to Columbia sometime and would like to find a way to return to Italy some day.  In all the things that are a part of his life, he also finds time for other pursuits, such as collecting antiques and learning to play the piano.

 

Originally from Manitowoc, John is the oldest in the family and has two brothers and a sister as well as four nephews and two nieces.  He very much enjoyed his time at St. Bernard though he finds Little Chute to be busier for some reason.  Though he’s left St. Bernard and Council 10243, his life and his ministry touched many members of the Council and we are grateful that he remains bonded to us in the Knights of Columbus.

 

May 1999