Father Kenneth Schroeder, C.PP.S, celebrates 60 years

Father Ken Schroeder, C.PP.S., was born in 1936 in New Cleveland, Ohio. He was baptized in 1936 at Holy Family Church in New Cleveland, and confirmed in 1944 at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Ottawa, Ohio. Fr. Schroeder entered Brunnerdale Seminary in Canton, Ohio, on Sept. 1, 1951. On Aug. 15, 1959, in Burkettsville, Ohio, Fr. Schroeder made his first profession. On June 5, 1965, he was ordained a priest of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood by Bishop Paul Francis Leibold in Carthagena, Ohio, at St. Charles Seminary. 

Fr. Schroeder’s love and dedication to the families in Mercer County, Ohio, has been evident over the years. Even though his assignments over the past 60 years have taken him into different areas, he was drawn back to Mercer County on July 1, 2001, and remained in the Maria Stein, Ohio, area ever since. His first assignment was as the assistant at St. Joseph Church in Hamilton, Ohio, beginning Aug. 31, 1966. On Aug. 27, 1969, Fr. Schroeder was assigned to St. James the Less Church in Columbus, Ohio, as an assistant. Four years later, he became a member of the formation program at St. Joseph’s College, on July 19, 1973. In January of 1978, Fr. Schroeder was assigned to Our Lady of Good Counsel in Cleveland, Ohio, until October of 1978, when his path led him to serve in the Army as a chaplain through November 2000, when he retired as a Colonel. 

Fr. Schroeder spent time in Menlo Park, California, from January to May 2001, at the Vatican II Institute. On July 17, 2001, he started as pastor at St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein, Ohio.   

Fr. Schroeder became a fixture at the sporting events for the Marion Local Flyers of Maria Stein, Ohio, at that point and has continued to this day. Parents and students alike truly love Fr. Schroeder and are so glad that his journey in life brought him to them. 

Fr. Schroeder was elected as first councilor of the former Cincinnati Province on May 15, 2002. Only July 1, 2002, he became pastor of the St. Rose and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, along with St. John’s in Maria Stein. On July 1, 2004, he became the pastor of the Marion Community (St. Johns, St. Sebastian, Precious Blood, St. Rose, and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary). 

On May 17, 2006, Fr. Schroeder was elected fifth provincial councilor. On July 1, 2007, he returned to St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio, for his retirement. 

Lots of smiles, compassion, and comfort are still provided by Fr. Schroeder to the Marion Community and everyone he sees during the day. His journey has been filled with faith, joy, and happiness in the holy and special path that was given to him. 

Favorite bible quote: 
“The Lord bless you, and keep you:
The Lord make his face shine upon you
And be gracious to you.”
Numbers 6:24-25