Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. William Martin Schreiner, C.S.C.

Feb. 1, 1915 - Sept. 16, 2004

South Bend Tribune 9/19/2004                                       

Rev. William Martin Schreiner, C.S.C., passed away peacefully at the age of 89 in Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind., after an illness. Fr. Schreiner was born to Louis and Theresa (Zehe) Schreiner on Feb. 1, 1915, in Cleveland, Ohio. Fr. Schreiner graduated from St. Michael grade school in 1929 and Cathedral Latin High School in 1933. Holy Cross Father Walter O'Donnell, C.S.C., assisted at his home parish and that was how young Bill Schreiner heard of Holy Cross

He entered Notre Dame in the Fall of 1933 as a candidate and St. Joseph Novitiate, Rolling Prairie the next July making first vows August 16, 1935. After one more year at Notre Dame, Fr. Schreiner went to Rome finishing his philosophy at Gregorian University and staying for studies in theology

In 1940, with war looming on the horizon, Fr. Schreiner returned to finish his theology studies at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1942, in Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame, by Bishop John Knoll. His first two years of ministry were spent at St. Mary Parish in Austin, Texas. For the next 55 years Fr. Bill crisscrossed America preaching retreats and missions in parishes near and far. Part of the famous Holy Cross Mission Band, he preached the Good News in many places and under many different circumstances. He was often asked to give retreats and missions to our men and women in the Armed Forces.

A greatly talented man with a warm smile and cheerful disposition, he could do almost anything. From clock making to wood carving, cooking to playing the harmonica, doing magic tricks to playing golf, Fr. Bill Schreiner could do it all and do it all well. For many years he gave the annual summer "Big Retreat" at Notre Dame. When 1,800 men attended the retreat in 1954, Fr. Bill was its director. He not only preached the retreat, but also had charge of a residence hall where visitors were housed, set up chairs at the Grotto, looked after the speaker system, led the Way of the Cross around the lake, organized the procession of those 1,800 men, supervised the distribution of candles, supervised the positioning of the candles, and led the Rosary during the procession.

As the Mission Band disbanded Fr. Bill remained, scheduling missions and retreats on his own and operating out of the Holy Cross Mission House at Fatima Retreat Center, Notre Dame.

Beginning in January of each year, he would carefully plan and schedule missions, retreats and talks starting in the west or south and work his way back home to Indiana as the weather warmed. This would also allow Fr. Bill to play more than a few rounds of golf while his brothers up north shoveled snow. In 1999, due to declining health, he moved to Holy Cross House where he entertained his brothers with many stories.

Fr. Schreiner was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Theresa (Zehe) Schreiner; sisters, Elsie Huck, Alma Kleinhenz, Mildred Ufholz and Rose Wagner; brothers, Alfred and George Schreiner. He is survived by his sisters, Louise Sheehan and Bernice Sumskis, along with several nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be held for Fr. Schreiner in the Chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, today, September 19, from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Monday, Sept. 20, at 3:30 p.m. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.