By David Stanczak

I have a riddle for you: If Father Ric Schneider, former pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Bloomington, were a pastry, what brand would he be?  Answer at the end of the Forum.

Father Ric Schneider, the brown tornado, came to Bloomington 23 years ago, at an age many people retire, to serve as pastor of St. Mary’s Church, a parish traditionally run by members of the Order of St. Francis.  He found a parish that had fallen on hard times and an elementary school that was on the verge of closing.  When he finally got to retire at age 83 this summer, he left the parish and school in far better shape than he found it. In a scene in the movie, The Bells of St. Mary’s, Sister Mary Benedict, a nun at the troubled parish, tells the new assistant pastor, “Father, there must always be a St. Mary’s”.  While Father Ric’s turnaround of the real parish wasn’t as dramatic or quick as the nun’s in the movie, it was real and sustained.A fund-raising gala earlier this year raised $50,000 for improvements to the school, drawing present and former staff, students, parents of students, community supporters, and people who knew and supported what Father Ric was doing.

Father Ric’s energy was rivalled by his personal magnetism.  He touched many people, all of whom are the better for it. The staff at the church and school loved him, and you could tell where he was on the school playground just by looking for a swarm of kids.  I got a little insight into who and what Father Ric was when I watched him guide my mother-in-law through her final illness with love and grace, for which she is literally eternally grateful.

Father Ric did what worked, whether it was SOP or not, preferring to ask forgiveness later than ask permission before.   About half of the money raised at the gala was the proceeds from the sale of a donated house the parish rehabbed and sold, with less than thunderous applause from the diocese.  In fairness to Bishop Jenky, he’s got enough pastoral concerns on his plate without having to worry about seeing one of his pastors, particularly one who has taken a vow of poverty, featured on an episode of Flip This House.

What brand of pastry would Father Ric be?  Sara Lee, because nobody doesn’t like Father Ric.

Thank you, Father.

David Stanczak, a Forum commentator since 1995, came to Bloomington in 1971. He served as the City of Bloomington’s first full-time legal counsel for over 18 years, before entering private practice. He is currently employed by the Snyder Companies and continues to reside in Bloomington with his family.

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