Rev. Msgr. Daniel L. Scheel

Msgr. Daniel L. Scheel was born September 27, 1944, in Wharton, Texas, one of two sons born to George A. and Julia Ruether Scheel. His brother, George, died in 1998. Dan attended Holy Family School in Wharton and spent his high school years at St. John Seminary in San Antonio, graduating in 1962. Growing up, as a child he would practice saying Mass during his playtime, recognizing his call from God early in his life. In 1966, Daniel Scheel entered St. Mary Seminary to pursue his heartfelt vocation to priesthood in the Catholic Church, receiving a BA degree from St Thomas University, Houston, Tx (1962-66); an STL in Theology from Gregorian University, Rome, Italy (1966-70); and an MChA in Canon Law from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC (1975-76). He perfected his “Father Dan” Spanish by immersing in Mexico during his seminary time. This would prove invaluable to Father Dan and allowed “Padre Dan” to minister to his beloved Spanish Community throughout the years. Daniel Scheel became Father Dan Scheel, receiving the Catholic Sacrament of Holy Orders, December 19, 1969, from Bishop James Hickey in St. Peter Basilica in Rome. Father Dan would touch so many people in so many ways. His curriculum vitae is a remarkable statement of his dedication and commitment to his priesthood. During his active ministry, he would serve three bishops: Bishop John Morkovsky, Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, and Cardinal Daniel DiNardo. Father Dan served as parochial vicar of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Rosenberg (1970-72), parochial vicar of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Galveston (1972-75), parochial vicar of St. Augustine Catholic Church (1975-76), Vice-Officialis of the Office of the Tribunal (1976-79), Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (1979-1994), Moderator of the Curia (1986-1994), in charge at St Raphael (1993), and pastor of St. Jerome Catholic Church in Houston (1994-2021). Juggling responsibilities, he also served as the Vicar Forane of the Northwest Deanery and as the Episcopal Vicar of the Western Vicariate (2004-21). Somewhere along the way, he was elevated to very reverend (Monsignor) Daniel L. Scheel for his hard work and dedication his priesthood. But he remained, simply, “Father Dan,” to all he would meet and help . Father Dan mentored and chaplained CYO groups in the Galveston and Western Deaneries, O’Connell High School, the Sam Houston and Region X Catholic Committees on Scouting, Catholic Daughters, Holy Name Society, and the Knights of Columbus. He sat on the board at the Shalom Center, Catholic Charities, the Christian Renewal Center (CRC), 1st vice-president Catholic Clerical Student Fund, and St. Joseph Governing Board. Father Dan was the spiritual advisor and moderator for the ACCW. How he found the time for all these things, God only knows. Father Dan reluctantly retired (aged out) from active parish ministry, August 4, 2021, after 51 years, 3 months and 16 days serving his episcopal. Father Dan loved sailing, ice cream, his beagles, hunting in Texas and Colorado and Argentina with his life-long friends and brother priests. Father Dan loved ACTS. He was introduced to ACTS Retreats by a former brother seminarian-turned-insurance agent. Intrigued by the possibilities for his parish. and inspired by the enthusiasm from a cherished parishioner who had gone on an ACTS Retreat, Father Dan and 3 men from St. Jerome went on a St. Claire ACTS Retreat at CRC, March 23, 2006. He came back from that retreat on fire. That fire burns to this very day. Spanish-speaking men and women, English-speaking men and women and teens. 100+ retreats later, his beloved St. Jerome parish is alive and well and full of agape love. So many parishes were missioned by his inspiration and enthusiasm. He was so very proud of ACTS. It carried him so strongly in the autumn days of his priestly service. He would often be heard to remark that ACTS was what he was looking for to bring people closer to God. Father Dan was called to rest in the arms of his Lord and Savior on December 1, 2024. He will be missed and much remembered. Please honor his personal request, that, in lieu of flowers, remembrances be memorial gifts to St. Jerome School Scholarship Endowment Fund or the St. Jerome Activity Center Building Fund. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Fr. Thu Le, Fr. Chester Borski, Fr. Clint Ressler, Fr. Bejamin Smaistrla, Fr. Hai Dang, Fr. Alfonso Nhat Tran, and Fr. T. J. Dolce. A visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a Vigil for the Deceased at 6:00 p.m., followed by a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at St. Jermone Catholic Church 8825 Kempwood Drive in Houston, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 also at St. Jerome. A reception will immediately follow the Mass in the Parish Activity Center. The funeral Mass will also be livestreamed. The Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale cemetery in Houston, Texas.

Rev. Msgr. Daniel L. Scheel

September 27, 1944 - December 1, 2024