Rev Msgr Joseph Schmitt

Msgr. Schmitt received a Bachelor’s degree in business from St. Edward’s University in Austin in 1950. He also earned a Master’s degree in education from the University of Texas in 1960. He attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1955, by Most Reverend Louis J. Reicher. On February 8, 1985, he was awarded the Prelate of Honor to his Holiness by Pope John Paul II because of his distinguished service to the Church.

Msgr. Schmitt served as associate pastor at St. Louis Catholic Church in Austin for 15 years and pastor at St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lago Vista for 40 years since its foundation in 1970. He also served for 15 years as Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Austin and for 18 years as a chaplain at Seton Medical Center in Austin. Msgr. Schmitt retired in July of 2011 and served since then as Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary Our Lady of the Lake Parish.

Msgr. Schmitt was preceded in death by his father Joseph J. Schmitt, Sr., his mother Edna Mueller and Shirmer Mueller who reared him as his son from infancy. He is survived by his sister Shirley and her husband, Newt LeBlanc, niece Marie Knapp (husband Walter Knapp), nephews Joseph LeBlanc (wife Dolores), Rene LeBlanc, and Jerome LeBlanc (wife Dona).

Visitation will be on Sunday, October 11, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 6100 Lohman Ford Road in Lago Vista, Texas. The Rosary and Vigil will follow at 4:00 p.m. with Reverend Don Loftin presiding. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 12, at St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church with Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez as celebrant. Procession to Assumption Cemetery in Austin for final committal and interment will begin at 1:00 p.m.