This August, Archbishop Leonard P. Blair appointed Monsignor Gerard Schmitz as Interim Chaplain of STM. Father Bob and the STM Pastoral Team welcomed Fr. Gerry to the Chapel and Golden Center this August; and since then, Fr. Gerry has been fully engaged in the life of STM. We hope you will enjoy getting to know a bit more about him and his ministry, in both the Archdiocese of Hartford and at STM.
1. Fr. Gerry was a long-time friend of Father Bob. They became friends when he was assigned to Fr. Bob’s home parish, Saint Margaret, in Madison, CT, and was present at Fr. Bob’s ordination and First Mass. In August, after Fr. Gerry began his assignment as Interim Assistant to the Chaplain, Fr. Bob welcomed him and encouraged him to embrace STM with his entire being.
2. Fr. Gerry is familiar with the New Haven Area having been born and raised in the city. He is the oldest of three brothers followed by John, a CPA, who passed away in 2008 and George, a Brother of Holy Cross. George served as Principal of Notre Dame High School, West Haven, and as Provincial for the former Eastern Province of the Holy Cross Brothers. Fr. Gerry and his brothers have many fond memories of growing up in New Haven, attending football games at the Yale Bowl with their Dad and learning from their parents the importance of volunteer work—and, of using their gifts and blessings for those in need.
3. Fr. Gerry has been a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford for fifty years. He served as a parochial vicar and as a pastor in five parishes. He has also served as a Trustee for both Notre Dame High School, West Haven, and the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven. Throughout his ministry, he has had a number of archdiocesan assignments, including President/Rector of Saint Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT; Director of Continuing Education for Priests; Vocation Director; and Vicar for Priests for the past three Archbishops for the Diocese of Hartford. In 2016, he received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven.
4. As Interim Chaplain at STM, Fr. Gerry hopes to be deeply involved in the life of the Chapel & Center. He hopes to learn the names of as many community members as possible. It is one of his main goals to sustain and build upon the work of Fr. Bob with the help of the pastoral team. He also looks forward to working with—and helping with the transitioning of—the future Chaplain once he is appointed.
