Redemptorist Father Gregory Schmitt, 81, died June 30 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was still preaching with the Unbound ministry and involved with the social services programs at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Church at the time of his death.

Born in Wisconsin, he professed first vows as a Redemptorist in 1964 and began his theological studies. He professed his perpetual vows in 1967 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1969.

After earning master’s degrees in divinity and religious education, he ministered in Missouri, Minnesota and North Dakota. In 1978, he joined the mission team stationed at St. Alphonsus Parish (Wellington Avenue) and traveled throughout the country for six years.

He then ministered in parishes in Michigan and Missouri, while taking on leadership responsibilities for his community.

Father Greg served as a pastor, local superior and retreat center director in Washington, California and Louisiana before joining the mission team at St. Michael Parish (Cleveland Avenue) in 2011.

He returned to Kansas City as a missionary in residence in 2018.

Sister of St. Joseph Barbara Lord, 92, died July 5.

Sister Barbara had been a member of the congregation for 73 years.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. Eulalia Parish, Maywood. She was an educator at St. Joseph Academy; St. Hugh, Lyons; St. Elizabeth; Our Lady of Pompeii; and St. Viator. In her later years, she offered community support services and was a seamstress for her congregation.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Lord.

Felician Sister Mary Virginia Sztorc (Mary Annuntiata), 92, died June 2 in Mother of Good Counsel Convent.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. Wenceslaus School and Cardinal Stritch High School. She entered the Felician Sisters in 1952 and professed final vows in 1960. She ministered as an elementary school teacher and librarian in Illinois and Minnesota. She also served for 10 years in the Felician Generalate in Rome in various capacities. Later, she collected and delivered food, clothing and other items for the poor, especially for the Franciscan outreach at Port Ministries and Well of Mercy in Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Helen (1955-1957, 1960-1962), St. Joseph (1956-1957, 1978-1981, 1985-1988), St. Turibius (1963-1969), St. John of God (1969-1972) and Our Lady of Ransom, Niles (1974-1978).

Deacon Lawrence R. Kancler, 80, died June 20. He was ordained in 1983 and served at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Streamwood, and in the Diocese of Rockford.

Deacon Kancler grew up in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago and attended Nativity of Our Lord Elementary, De La Salle High School, DePaul University and DeVry Institute of Technology. He married his high school sweetheart, Elaine, in 1964.

In 1968, the couple moved to Streamwood where they raised three daughters and became very involved at St. John the Evangelist. Deacon Kancler worked as an engineer for AT&T and later became a chaplain and coordinator of pastoral care at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; his daughters Bridget, Amy and Tracy; and three grandchildren.

Father Jan F. Kaplan, 80, died May 22. He was pastor emeritus of St. Ladislaus Parish.

Born in Janów Podlaski, Poland, he attended high school there before entering the diocesan seminary in Siedlce, Poland.

Father Kaplan was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Siedlce in 1967.

From 1967 to 1977, Kaplan served as an associate pastor at several different parishes in the Diocese of Siedlce. He then served as a missionary in the Diocese of Anatuya, Argentina, from 1977 to 1985. He moved to Canada to serve in the Diocese of Prince Albert from 1985 to 1998.

Following his time in Canada, Father Kaplan moved to Illinois and served as associate pastor of Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Lemont; Transfiguration, Wauconda; St. Joseph, Round Lake and St. Blase, Argo (now Blessed Martyrs of Chimbote). He was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2005 and served as pastor of St. Ladislaus.

Following his retirement in 2014, Father Kaplan resided at his family home in Poland.

Father Wojciech Kwiecień first met Father Kaplan when they were both at St. Ladislaus and remembered his friend as an incredible person who was dedicated to connecting with people. “He was very happy to be a priest and had a great passion for traveling and spreading his ministry.”