Funeral Mass will be celebrated Nov. 12, 11 a.m. at Cathedral Chapel, Los Angeles, for Father Charles L. Schwehr, pastor, who died in his sleep Nov. 3 in his room at the parish rectory.
A Vigil Service will be celebrated Nov. 11, 7 p.m. at the parish for the 59-year-old pastor who apparently died of heart disease, according to Gina Ibarrola, parish business manager.
Ibarrola said the parish was "very saddened" by the sudden loss of "Father Chuck," pastor since 1998. "We loved him," she told The Tidings. "He was our friend as much as he was our pastor --- very easy-going, very likeable. We'll miss him very much."
Born March 7, 1948 in Los Angeles, Father Schwehr graduated from Blessed Sacrament School and Loyola High School before going to St. John's Seminary in Camarillo. He was ordained by Cardinal Timothy Manning on Dec. 4, 1976 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Ventura, where he had served his transitional diaconate.
He served as an associate pastor at several parishes, including Sacred Heart, Covina (1976-80); St. James, Redondo Beach (1980-84); St. Bernard, Bellflower (1984-91); St. Timothy, West L.A. (1991-96); and St. Christopher, West Covina (1996-98, including nine months as administrator pro tem). On July 1, 1998, he was assigned to his first pastorate at Cathedral Chapel in the Fairfax District, succeeding Father Earl Walker, now pastor emeritus.
Preceded in death by his parents, Father Schwehr is survived by two brothers, Michael and John. Graveside service will be Nov. 12, 2:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City. |