Welcome to a site dedicated to the living memory of Fr. Robert Schwenker, OMI. For those of us whom he taught, coached, married, and ministered to, let us not mourn his tragic passing, but celebrate the many wonderous moments we shared. Let us build on them and carry them forward so that we may become better Christians and inspire others in God's love.

Having undauntingly served the Lord on the mainland U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, Haiti, The Dominican Republic and Columbia for close to 35 years, one thing is for certain- no one really knows how many lives he touched.

You are invited to share your personal stories of how Fr. Schwenker impacted your life. As well, please feel free to share any pictures, favorite memories, and antedotes. Let's make this a site that would make him smile proudly and know that, in our own ways, we will carry on his work. For it is in his passing that we are called to 'get off the bench and into the game'.

55th HIGH SCHOOL REUNION TRIBUTE

Bob Ryan, a long-time classmate and close friend of Fr. Schwenker's, presented a Tribute Book to Holy Angels on Monday, August 3rd,2009, at a special tribute mass at 7:00pm in the parish rectory. Mr. Ryan had prepared the tribute to Father Schwenker on the occasion of their 55th high school reunion in Columbus, OH. After mass, Mr. Ryan sat down with about a dozen of Fr. Bob's close Holy Angels friends and shared many happy memories together.

Mr. Ryan has generously made the 37-page Tribute book available in .pdf for all to view and download. The book charts Fr. Bob's history as a priest, official letters detailing his tragic final days, and testimonials from his faithful friends and fellow priests in Colombia and the United States. Also included are some first-hand memories from his first assignment at Holy Angels in Buffalo, NY.

Mr. Ryan also shared the fact the Fr. Schwenker started a foundation in Colombia called Foundation to Support Youth in Extreme Poverty (FAJEP). Donations to the Foundation may be made in US dollars by check or money order payable to “OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE COLUMBIA” and mailed with a message that your donation is for FAJEP in Bogota to:

All donations will be converted to Colombian funds and forwarded to Fr. Roger Hallee in Bogota for the exclusive efforts of this foundation.

"HIS TRUTH PREVAILS"

Daniel J. Stollenwerk, STD,, travelled to Colombia in early 2009 to visit where Fr. Bob had worked and died and wrote another wonderful article, "His Truth Prevails" that has been published at Notre Dame Online. Dan's first article on Fr. Schwenker was published in 2004 titled "The World of the Desperate and of the Saint". He also took the pictures in the Colombia slideshow on the Pictures page.

Dan, who received a degree in American studies from Notre Dame in 1980, worked with Father Schwenker in several apostolates in his youth, maintaining contact thereafter, visiting him in Haiti and Mexico. He lives with his family in Auckland, New Zealand, where he teaches religious education at St. Peter’s High School.

PARISH CENTER DEDICATION: 10/3/04

HOLY ANGELS REUNION

A special time was had by all as some 100 Holy Angel Grammar School graduates from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's gathered on May 15th for a celebration of Mass and a Reunion party afterwards. Classmates from as far away as California, Florida, and Virginia joined together to help open the Fr. Robert Schwenker Parish Youth Center at Holy Angels. Sharing many Fr. Bob stories, laughs, and a few tears. For more information about future events, please contact  Angelo Travale, Holy Angels Director of Alumni Development.

(Note: If your church or organization is planning an event dedicated to Fr. Schwenker, please feel to write and we'll be happy to include it here!)

Don't forget to add a personal thought or two when you Sign the Guestbook   View Guestbook

Upon exiting, click here to hear one of Fr. Schwenker's famous sayings!(Best listened to in IE)

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