Rosemont parish mourns former pastor, public safety chaplain

The Rev. Thomas Schwab led Our Lady of Hope Parish in Rosemont for 20 years, but colleagues say his service stretched across the village, from its police and fire departments, to elected officials and residents.

Although he retired as pastor in 2000, Schwab continued to remain active in Rosemont activities and in parish life. He stayed on at the parish and lived in its rectory, located in Des Plaines.

Schwab died Monday, at the age of 82.

“He was always around, said Rosemont Fire Chief Dale Torii. “He was chaplain of our Public Safety Department, which takes in both police and fire, as well as our Voters' League. He led prayer services and said the invocation at dinners.

“For virtually any village event, Torii added, “he was there.

Schwab came to Rosemont in 1980 and by 1985, the parish broke ground on a new church. Torii says chwab worked with former Mayor Donald E. Stephens on the architecture and construction of the distinctive church, which can be seen from Interstate 90.

The Rev. John Clemens, the church's current pastor, says the contemporary design, even 25 years later, serves to welcome parishioners.

“It was designed with the idea that the community gathers in the same place where they were baptized, married and where they will one day leave, Clemens said.

Schwab, just the second pastor to serve the parish, deserves credit for its growth, attracting families from Rosemont, Des Plaines and Park Ridge to participate, Clemens said.

“He had a sense of the mission of the Church and emphasized the importance of what's in people's hearts, not what's on the outside, he added.

Schwab was ordained a priest in 1956, and his first assignment took him to St. Margaret Mary Parish on Chicago's North Side, before serving in Oak Forest, Berwyn and at Loyola University as a professor and spiritual director.

He also spent four years at St. Marcelline Parish in Schaumburg, from 1974 to 1978, where he coordinated the West Suburban Parish Liturgy Training program and drew the largest religious education program in the Archdiocese of Chicago, with 1,875 children.

Torii says that despite his long tenure in the Archdiocese, he was never considered an “old school priest.

“He was always open-minded, Torii said, “and willing to adapt to change.

Visitation will take place Friday from 2 to 6:45 p.m. before a 7 p.m. funeral Mass, all at Our Lady of Hope Church, 9711 W. Devon Ave. in Rosemont. Bishop Francis Kane, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, will officiate.