Norwalk's Own Deacon Eric Schild to be Ordained to Priesthood Tomorrow (2 June)

Deacon Eric P. Schild, at his home parish of Norwalk St. Paul,
is to be ordained a priest of the Diocese of Toledo June 2.
He begins his assignment as associate pastor of Fostoria
St. Wendelin Parish in July.

From The Catholic Chronicle (Diocese of Toledo):

Bringing joy to the priesthood
Deacon Eric Schild to be ordained a priest June 2

Deacon Eric P. Schild says he has been blessed to know many “joy-filled” priests over the years.

He thinks back to the late Father Harvey Keller, a diocesan priest he admired who spent his retirement at Norwalk St. Paul Parish.

Fr. Keller “was so in tune and so motivated by the youth,” recalls Deacon Schild, who grew up in Norwalk. “Everything about his life said he loved the priesthood, and communicated a joy that was contagious.”

Other priests Deacon Schild cites as influences include his uncle, Father Anthony Borgia, another relative, Father Benedict Ringholz, and those he met at St. Paul and in pastoral assignments, like Father Joseph Steinbauer, Father Dennis Walsh and Father David Reinhart.

“There’s a joy to their lives,” says Deacon Schild. “They take their priesthood seriously, and in doing so they kind of radiate a joy that is contagious.”

That joy is something Deacon Schild hopes to bring to his own ministry when he is ordained as a priest of the Diocese of Toledo June 2 by Bishop Leonard P. Blair at Rosary Cathedral.

Deacon Schild, 27, is the oldest son of Dennis and Karen Schild and a graduate of Norwalk St. Paul elementary and high schools.

An associate pastor at St. Paul was the one who first encouraged him in high school to think about the priesthood, but it was only after years of prayer, growth, inquiry and study that he, during his senior year in college, decided to pursue the vocation.

He entered the seminary after earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and communications at John Carroll University, and went on to receive a master’s degree in Catholic thought and life from St. Meinrad School of Theology and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Dayton. His master’s of divinity degree is also from St. Meinrad.

Deacon Schild completed summer internships at Defiance St. John, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and in the diocesan youth and young adult ministry office, and he served at Toledo Little Flower Parish for his pastoral internship year. In each assignment, Deacon Schild says, he experienced moments that affirmed the path he had chosen.

“When I was at Little Flower, those people helped me in so many ways to realize that I was called to be a priest,” he recalls. “They helped me to realize that I absolutely loved and got energy from the ministry.”

In the final weeks before ordination, Deacon Schild says he has been spending time thanking God for his blessings, particularly for the many people who have been part of his life.

He is grateful for his parents, who always made the Catholic faith a priority in his family, for other family members and friends who have offered support and prayers, for parishioners who impacted him in his pastoral experiences and for priests who mentored him.

“They’ve helped me to realize my strengths and weaknesses, and they’ve encouraged me,” Deacon Schild says. “Especially at a time in our church where, you know, some of us weren’t sure if we would be encouraged.”

Deacon Schild marvels at the number of people who have told him they pray for him daily, and he says he thinks about those people in times of difficulty.

Though he has some anxiety about the “unknowns” of his new life of ministry, Deacon Schild says he is not nervous about ordination. “I feel that this is what God is calling me to do.”

Bishop Blair ordains Deacon Schild at 11 a.m. June 2 at Toledo Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Deacon Schild celebrates Masses of thanksgiving at 1:30 p.m. June 3 at Norwalk St. Paul, 5 p.m. June 9 at Defiance St. John and 10:30 a.m. June 10 at Toledo Little Flower.

Please pray for Deacon (soon-to-be Father) Schild. "You are a priest forever ..."