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 Father Michael D. Schmitz



Fr. Michael D. Schmitz has a very long distinguished career. After graduating from Immaculate Heart of Mary High School, he worked in the Currie Tile factory.  On May 2, 1966, Fr. Michael enlisted in the United States Air Force. His assignments took him to Homestead, Florida, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, Vietnam, Bitburg AB, Germany and Washington DC.  While at these places, he was an office manager in the police force, target intelligence, weather operations, and aircraft maintenance for Air Force One during the Nixon and Ford administrations.

  Throughout his active duty career, Fr. Mike worked part-time in restaurant management and the night club business.  The most famous people he worked with were Clint Holmes, Barbara Mandrell, Bill Monroe and many others.

   In 1978, Fr. Mike was discharged from  active duty in the Air Force and enlisted in the Air Force reserve for 18 more years.  His jobs there included Medical Administration and Human resources.  His fulltime jobs during this time frame included, working for Valentinos Restaurants an average of 80-85 hors a week. He decided that the restaurant business was not for him. Then, Fr. Mike went to be a computer operator for  Air Force Global Weather Central as a computer flight planner.  He sent computer flight plans for each air force plane worldwide and was in this position for nine years. After this stint, Fr. Mike did some reflection and was facing a mid-life crisis and decided to become a priest at the age of 44.  The first few semesters were difficult because he was out of school since 1964.  Fr Mike had everything  tutored.  After the first semester, he was sent to Germany in Desert Storm because he was in the Air Force Reserve.  In May 1996, Fr. Mike graduated with a Masters Degree in Divinity  from Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.  On May 31, 1996, Fr. Mike retired from the Air force reserve and on June 1, 1996 he was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest for the Archdiocese of Omaha which was a very joyful and rewarding occasion.  Upon ordination, Fr. Mike stated, "I did 30 years of service for our country, and I hope and pray that the Lord will give me another 30 years to serve Him."

After looking back on his life, Fr. Mike never regretted becoming a priest later on in life, because he uses his life experiences in his every day ministry.