Funeral Mass for Former Marquette Bishop
The funeral mass for the retired Marquette Catholic bishop who passed away last week is taking place at this hour at St. Peter Cathedral.
Bishop Emeritus Mark Schmitt died last Wednesday in DePere, Wisconsin.
He was 88 years old.
Bishop Schmitt’s body lay in state at the cathedral yesterday.
He served as bishop from May 1978 until his retirement in November 1992.
Bishop Schmitt then lived near Big Bay and served St. Mary Mission in Big Bay until moving to Wisconsin in 2005.
The diocese says the establishment of the Lay Ministries Leadership School, the implementation of the Permanent Diaconate Program and the provision of several faith development programs are among the highlights of his tenure as bishop.
Current Marquette Bishop Alexander Sample was one of the 28 priests that Bishop Schmitt ordained over the years.