By Lou Baldwin • Posted January 28, 2016

Msgr. Samuel E. Shoemaker, 75, pastor of St. Ignatius Parish in Yardley and former chancellor for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, died Jan. 26.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Samuel H. Shoemaker, a convert to Catholicism, and Frances B. (Kolek) Shoemaker. He was a second cousin to Mother M. Neomisia, C.S.F.N., the founder of Holy Family College and superior general of her congregation.

He attended St. Bartholomew School and St. Joseph’s Preparatory school before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

He was ordained May 21, 1966 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul by Archbishop John J. Krol and his first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Gabriel Parish, Philadelphia. He also served at St. John Bosco, Hatboro and Epiphany of Our Lord, Norristown.

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After further Studies at Villanova University and The Catholic University of America, where he earned a JCD in canon law in 1976 he was assigned to the Chancery Office of the archdiocese, serving successively as assistant chancellor, vice chancellor and chancellor.

In that era the chancellor had much greater duties in the structure of the archdiocese than today, with membership in many archdiocesan committees. Msgr. Shoemaker worked very closely with Bishop Martin N. Lohmuller, who was vicar general in curia and he also resided at the Cardinal’s Residence in Overbrook.

“I fondly remember Msgr. Shoemaker, he was a faithful friend and of great assistance to Cardinal Krol,” said Bishop Lohmuller on hearing of Msgr. Shoemaker’s death.

In 1989 Msgr. Shoemaker was named pastor of St. Ignatius, and remained so for almost 27 years until his death.

Meanwhile he remained friends with brother priests from his seminary days.

“He was very patient and kind,” said Father Engelbert Michel, a seminary classmate. “He was very organized and like to run our class reunions and made sure we had a good time, and he also worked hard in his parish.”

Bob Williams, who served on the St. Ignatius Parish Finance Council, recalls Msgr. Shoemaker “always listened and was open to advice and sought the best approach, the best practices, and was well-regarded in the parish. He was the image of leadership.”

Pastorally, he recalls how wonderful Msgr. Shoemaker was with the small children, especially how he would gather them around the crèche at Christmas time.

This year would have been Msgr. Shoemaker’s 50th anniversary of priesthood and Samantha Flemming, the president of the parish Home and School Association, was a member of a committee that was planning a celebration for the anniversary.

She is the mother of four school children and for her, the anniversary was an excellent example of commitment for her children in an era when such long-term commitment is rare.

“I’m saddened he didn’t get to see the celebration,” she said. “He is a man who stuck to his commitment and he did it well. He did it for service to God and the community and he did it well.”

“Sam was a fisherman, he loved to fish,” said Father Leo Stajkowski, who knew him since 1978. “He organized a supper club and we would all go out to dinner. He was very efficient in running his parish. He was very happy in Yardley.”

Betty Ruppersberger, a long-time St. Ignatius parishioner, recalls how her little grandson came from school after hearing of Msgr. Shoemaker’s death upset because his pastor will not be able to hear his first penance.

“He was a good pastor, a good shepherd, he was always there for us, for our deaths for our baptisms,” she said. “He allowed many ministries in the parish and was always very gracious and loved by the school children. He will be missed.”

A parish Mass will be held at St. Ignatius Church for Msgr. Shoemaker on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. His funeral Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput at St. Ignatius on Monday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m.

Among the concelebrants will be Msgr. Francis J. Statkus who was his predecessor as chancellor; Fathers Charles Zlock, Jonathan Dalin and Father Stajkowski, who will be the homilist.

Msgr. Shoemaker is survived by his cousins, Karen Shoemaker Turbyfill and Fred Vopper.

Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem.