Reverend Monsignor William H. Schwartz, P.A., S.T.L.

The Chancery received word that Reverend Monsignor William H. Schwartz, P.A., S.T.L., 80, of Williams Bay, WI., died on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, while under hospice care in Oregon, IL.

Monsignor was born on May 18, 1943, in Aurora, IL, to Harry and Eula Mable (Satterlee) Schwartz. Monsignor attended and graduated high school from Marmion Military Academy (1957-1961). He then attended Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa (1961-1965) where he received a BA in History. He then attended The Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy (1965-1969) where he received a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.).

Monsignor Schwartz was ordained to the priesthood on December 20, 1968, by the Most Reverend Francis Reh in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. Monsignor’s first assignments were as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Elgin (1969-1971) and on the faculty of St. Edward Central Catholic High School, Elgin (1971-1972). He then was assigned as Director of Religious Education at Newman Central Catholic High School (1972-1976), Sterling, Assistant Principal at Newman CCHS (1975), and Principal at Newman CCHS (1975-1976). He then was assigned as Parochial Vicar to St. Mary Parish, McHenry (1976-1977), and then was appointed Administrator of St. Andrew Parish, Rock Falls (1977-1978). He was also appointed Diocesan Associate Scout Chaplain (1978-1996). He then was appointed Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Sterling, Illinois (1978), and then Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Sterling, Illinois, and DRE at Newman CCHS, Sterling, Illinois (1978-1983). He then was appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish, DeKalb, Illinois (1983-1995). He also served as Associate Vocation Director and Director of the Branches Vocation Discernment Program (1983-1994). Monsignor was appointed Rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford (1995-2007). He also served as a member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council (1996-2006), as a part-time teacher at Boylan CCHS, Rockford (1995-2007), as Assistant Principal and DRE of Boylan CCHS, Rockford (2000-2006), and as a member of the Priests’ Health Committee (2001-2006). He then was assigned as Director of the Permanent Diaconate (2007-2012). He was named a Prelate of Honor in 1996 and a Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary—the highest level of “Monsignor” in 2000 by Pope St. John Paul II.

Monsignor Schwartz retired from active ministry on June 29, 2012. He continued to assist on weekends at St. Catherine Parish, Sharon, WI (2007-2016). He was a professor at George Williams College of Aurora University, Williams Bay, WI, teaching history, government, and theology, and serving as Director of Spirituality (2007-2023).

Monsignor served many thousands of people during his priestly ministry. Reflecting on his years of priestly service, he identified five keywords that summed up his desire to spread the Gospel in persona Christi—in the person of Christ. Those words - Priest, Pastor, Teacher, Uncle, Friend - are engraved upon his memorial stone. They are the words by which he wished to be remembered.

Monsignor is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Eula (Satterlee) Schwartz, his brother Robert and sister-in-law Beverly. He is survived by five nephews; Mark (Rebecca) of Montgomery, Stephen (Amy) of Aurora, Matthew (Julie) of Rockford, David (Emily) of Rockford and Thomas of South Elgin. He is also survived by nine great nephews and nieces; Lucy, Neal, Michael, Dominic, Will, Liam, Gabriel, Nora and Samuel.

Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church Street, Rockford. Visitation will take place 9:00-11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral prior to the Funeral Mass. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice and Home, 1658 IL-2 Oregon, IL 61061, Newman Central Catholic High School, 1101 W. 23rd Street Sterling, IL 61081 or Boylan Central Catholic High School, 4000 St. Francis Drive Rockford, IL 61103. Arrangements are being completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Rockford, Illinois. www.fitzgeraldfh.com