S.J. Fr. James Walter Schulz

Fr. James W. Schulz, S.J.

Born: February 14, 1945

Entrance: July 30, 1964

Ordination: October 22, 1977

Final Vows: September 30, 1983

Death: October 20, 2025

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of our brother, Fr. James W. Schulz, S.J., who died on October 20, 2025 at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 80 years old. May he rest in peace.

Jim is survived by his sister, Diane McCullough, and her family.

Jim was born on February 14, 1945 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He entered the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus on July 30, 1964 at the Jesuit Novitiate in Milford, Ohio. He was ordained on October 22, 1977 in Cincinnati and pronounced final vows on September 30, 1983 at Leonard Neale House in Washington, D.C.

While in the Society, Jim earned Bachelor's Degrees in Philosophy and Classical Languages from Saint Louis University (1970) and a Master's Degree in Economics from Fordham University (1974). He also earned Master's Degrees in Theology (1977) and Pastoral Studies (1992) from Loyola University Chicago

During Regency, Jim taught psychology, history, and English at Colegio del Jose in Arequipa, Peru (1971-1972). After ordination, he moved to Chicago where he worked with immigrants and undocumented people at the Eighth Day Center for Justice (1978-1980) and was an associate pastor at Holy Family Church (1980-1981). Jim was missioned to the Jesuit Conference in Washington D.C. where he was associate director of the National Office of Jesuit Social Ministries (1982-1986) and then spent a year as associate editor at America Magazine. Jim longed to return to the Peruvian Province, but his gifts were needed in the Chicago Province.

Upon returning to Chicago, Jim was the associate pastor of St. Mary's Parish (1988-1990) and the pastor of St. Procopius Jesuit Parish (1990-1992) before serving on the staff of the Heartland Center in East Chicago, Indiana (1992-2003).

In 2003, he returned to parish ministry and served the people of God as pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church in Hammond, Indiana (2003-2010), associate pastor of St. Turibius Parish in Chicago (2010-2011), and pastor of Mary, Queen of Heaven Church in Cicero, Illinois (2011-2014). Jim then spent seven years in Chicago as a chaplain at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County (2014-2021) before being missioned in 2021 to Colombiere Center.

Jim, a devoted priest and Jesuit, was conscientious, a hard worker, and humble. Jim saw priesthood as serving the community with whom he worked and identified. Through service to (and with) others, he fell in love with the people of God, especially the poor and the outcast. This care of the poor took root early in his formation when, felling drawn to work with Hispanic people, he studied in the Juniorate in Lima and taught during Regency in Arequipa, Peru. His ability to see God in all people – especially the poor and downtrodden – led Jim to actively work for peace and justice throughout his life. Jim's commitment to the faith that does justice was at the core of his being and inspired many to work for a just and accepting world.

During his anniversary of fifty years in the Society, Jim encapsulated his time as a Jesuit:

We might in honesty and humility say that the really operative word in this bold endeavor is that of "striving." The journey has its ultimate goal, of course, but its calling to strive is life-long. And that is why commitment is so important. To myself, commitment means continuing to strive and move forward, when the course of the journey – at certain moments – brings us to some pretty serious business. In those moments, discernment and a renewed sense of commitment may be the order of the day...Commitment strengthens and enhances maturity in every understanding: human, spiritual, emotional, psychological, social, emotional. Commitment also strengthens fidelity. And so, together with so many personal attributes, commitment also is very Ignatian.

Jim's commitment to the poor, the outcast, the undocumented, and to immigrants was grounded in his deep love of Jesus and the Society of Jesus. His actions promoting peace and justice helped countless people to feel cared for and loved by God.

Suffrages: As we remember with gratitude all that God has done through his life of service to God and God's people, we are reminded of our privilege and obligation to offer Masses and prayers for his eternal repose. All members of the USA Midwest Province and those applied are to offer one Mass intention. Members of the Colombiere Jesuit Community will offer one additional Mass intention. All will wish to remember Jim in their prayers and Masses.

Visitation:

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Service 7:00 p.m.

Colombiere Center

9075 Big Lake Road

Clarkston, MI 48346-1015

Mass of Christian Burial:

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

10:30 a.m.

Colombiere Center

The Service and the Mass will be LiveStreamed at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9TJEVaNcLIQmq5H37lepXQ

Condolences:

Colombiere Jesuit Community

c/o Mark W. Luedtke, S.J.

9075 Big Lake Road

Clarkston, MI 48346-1015

mluedtke@jesuits.org

Condolences to the family

Colombiere Jesuit Community

c/o Denis Weber, S.J.

9075 Big Lake Road

Clarkston, MI 48346-1015

Memorial tributes to the Midwest Province of Jesuits.