In Thanksgiving for the Schoenle Family

You are holy, Lord, the only God,
and Your deeds are wonderful.
You are strong.
You are great.
You are the Most High.
You are Almighty.
You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth.
You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good.
You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true. (St. Francis of Assisi, Prayer in Praise of God)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.(Romans 8:28)

One year ago the eight children of Paul and Donna Schoenle were in shock and mourning. On November 11, 2007, their father Paul had died suddenly at home while watching the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on EWTN. At the age of 88, he had done a great deal of work on the house and property. He was a strong father figure, welcoming his children’s friends into the family and treating them as his own sons and daughters. They had fond memories of him. So his loss meant a great deal not only to his family but also to the community.

Now, this year, on November 27, their mother Donna had collapsed at the age of 90 while shopping and died. She, too, have been a loving and supportive presence to her family. Her feminine touch was evident throughout the family house. The children had many fond memories of their mother.

Paul and Donna Schoenle, May 2000

One year ago, the eight Schoenle children, many of them grandparents now, were coming together, the wake and funeral were planned, and they would gather to celebrate the lives of these two wonderful people who had graced their family with parenthood.

When the burial was completed and the children had time to think, they decided to have one last Christmas in the family home. So plans are made, and that Christmas, Christmas 2012, the eight children and spouses and grandchildren and some great-grandchildren of Paul and Donna Schoenle gathered in the family house and on the family property at 1702 Lumbard Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and celebrated the birth of Christ and the joy of the family. There were over 70 people present for that Christmas celebration.

Schoenle Children at Donna's Funeral

As the new year of 2013 wore on, the family had to decide what to do with the family house and the property. Paul and Donna and the Schoenle family have been strong and faithful supporters of St. Andrews’ Church just two blocks up the street which they had faithfully attended and supported until its closure. They were so happy when the Franciscan Brothers Minor were given the use of the church and rectory by Bishop Kevin Rhoades, as now the church was reopened and Masses held there again. The family agreed to donate the house and property to the Diocese for Fort Wayne/South Bend with the intention that the Friars use it as a friary or as they wished.

However, Father David Engo, Minister General of the Friars, but that the house and property might be a good place for the Confraternity of Penitents international headquarters. So he invited the Confraternity to look at the property and house. It is more than we could hope for, and we are so grateful to be here.

Gazebo at 1702 Lumbard Street, built by Paul Schoenle

At this season of Thanksgiving in the United States, we thank the Schoenle family for the gift of his property and we thank Bishop Rhoades for allowing the Confraternity to use it for our ministry. Please join us at this season in praying for the repose of the soul of Paul and Donna, and for their children and grandchildren and all other family members.

The prayer of St. Francis in praise of God seems so applicable to us at this time. And we know that in the case of the Schoenle family’s grief at this time last year, God has made all things work together for the good. May he be blessed for ever!