Msgr. Lawrence J. Stuebben, died March 28th in San Antonio at the age of 84 after battling a variety of serious illnesses. He was born on April 4, 1932 to George and Clara Henzen Stuebben. He had two brothers, Msgr. George Stuebben (also deceased), who served as a Chaplain Colonel in the U.S. Army, and Thomas L. Stuebben. He was preceded death by his parents and by his brother, Msgr. George Stuebben. A San Antonio native, Msgr. Stuebben graduated from St. Joseph's Academy and Central Catholic High School. He entered St. John's Seminary and later, the new Assumption Seminary, which was to play a large role in his life and ministry. In 1955 he was ordained as a priest for the archdiocese in San Fernando Cathedral by Archbishop Robert E. Lucey.

In 1965, Msgr. Stuebben became a part of the archdiocesan Matrimonial Tribunal and a chaplain and theology professor at Incarnate Word High School. He received a master's in education at Our Lady of the Lake University and later spent a sabbatical studying at the North American College in Rome. In 1969, he returned to parish work. He served as pastor at St. Patrick in Bloomington (now in the Diocese of Victoria), St. Louis in Castroville for several years, and then at St. Matthew in San Antonio. Msgr. Stuebben returned to Assumption Seminary as rector from 1981-87, also serving it through the years on its Board of Directors (including as its chairman) and in the Alumni Association. He was a member of national and state vocation committees and co-chaired the successful campaign that raised funds for the Archbishop Patrick F. Flores Residence Hall at the seminary.

In 1986, he returned to work at the chancery to coordinate the papal visit, as the Holy Father was undertaking a nine-city tour across the United States. Msgr. Stuebben, along with Father John Yanta (now bishop emeritus of Amarillo) and Father Daniel Hennessey were instrumental in the founding of Catholic Television of San Antonio.

Msgr. Stuebben belonged to many religious and civic organizations serving as: parish and district Catholic chaplain to the Boy and Girl Scouts; archdiocesan moderator of the Holy School Sodality Union; cofounder of the Texas Vocation Directors Conference; member of the Senate of the Archdiocese of San Antonio; president and executive director of the Provincial Conference of Priests Councils of Texas; co-founder and president of the Texas Catholic Conference on Ethnic and Community Affairs; member of the Board of Trustees of Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Mary's University, and Ursuline Academy; member of the National Bishops' Committee for Priestly Life and Ministry; member of the Board of Directors for the Consultation Center for the archdiocese; member of the Coordinating Committee for the National Assembly of Rectors and Ordinaries of Catholic Theological Schools; member of the Ad Hoc National Committee for Hispanic Vocations and Formation Programs for Hispanics; chairman of the Seminary Department for the Texas Catholic Conference; chaplain for the Serra Club of San Antonio and Knights of St. Gregory for the archdiocese; member of the St. Joseph's Society; member of Alhambra Bejar Caravan No. 56; member of the Board of Directors for the Ecumenical Center for Health and Religion; spiritual director for the Catholic Life Insurance Union; chairman of the Assumption Seminary Board of Directors; member of the Bexar County Detention Ministry Board; chairman of the Administration Department of the Texas Catholic Conference; Board member of Catholic Charities; Board member of the National Diocesan Fiscal Managers Conference; and chaplain for the San Antonio Legatus chapter. Other honors were also bestowed upon Msgr. Stuebben also included recognition from the National Conference for Community & Justice; Seton Home for Unwed Mothers; and Assumption Seminary with the institution's Leadership in Faith and Service Award.

He returned to his first love, pastoral work, assisting at St. Margaret Mary Parish following his retirement as head of administration, vicar general, and moderator of the curia, staying there a year and a half before retiring from "active" ministry. He then resided at Casa de Padres, the priests' retirement center near Leon Springs. Msgr. Stuebben, as do the many priests there, continued to serve the archdiocese in a variety of ways. He was heavily involved in the centennial of the seminary and until recent illnesses, the monsignor was helping on weekends at parishes, giving talks and attending gatherings of various kinds.

Msgr. Stuebben is survived by his brother, Thomas, sister-in-law, Mary Jane (Gosnell) Stuebben, nephews and nieces: Michael Stuebben, David Stuebben (Eileen), Mary Beth Stuebben McGinnis (Mark), Carol Stuebben Spears (Steve), Linda Stuebben Flieller (John), and Paul Stuebben; great-nieces and nephews: Amanda Stuebben Tyson (Jason), Thomas James Stuebben (Emily), Caitlyn Ploch, Melissa Clare Stuebben, Lauren Flieller, Emily Flieller, Spencer Flieller, Coalton McGinnis, Ross Spears, Sterling McGinnis, Skylar McGinnis; grand-nephew, Brock Tyson and grand-niece, Maci Stuebben.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 30th,
from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at
The Angelus Funeral Home
1119 N. St. Mary's St.
Visitation will resume at 5:30 P.M. at
St. Matthews Catholic Church
10703 Wurzbach Rd.,
with a Vigil service to begin at 7:00 P.M.,
and a reflection given by Fr. David Garcia

The funeral liturgy will be broadcast live on CTSA, Spectrum Cable Channel 15.  A reception will follow at the San Fernando Cathedral Hall, which will also air the live broadcast for those unable to attend at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions
may be made to the
Assumption Seminary –
Msgr. Lawrence Stuebben Burse
or
to the Msgr. Lawrence Stuebben
Seminarian Scholarship Fund at
Catholic Life Insurance