Spiritual director, educator and ministry leader
BELMONT — Sister Mary Antonette Schmidt, a beloved member of the Sisters of Mercy for six decades, entered eternal life on June 13, 2025, at CaroMont Medical Center in Gastonia.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, June 23, 2025, at Sacred Heart Convent, Cardinal Gibbons Chapel, 500 Sacred Heart Circle, Belmont, N.C. Viewing will be held before Mass, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.
The funeral Mass will be livestreamed online here.
Sister Antonette was born on Jan. 11, 1944, to John Schmidt of Devon, Pennsylvania, and Mary Powers of Manayunk, Pennsylvania.
Sister Antonette dedicated her life to service, faith and compassionate ministry. At 21, she entered the religious community in August 1965 in Belmont, embracing her calling to serve others through her deep prayer life and her extensive ministries.
Her educational journey was marked by a commitment to understanding and spiritual growth. She earned a certificate of chaplaincy from Carolinas Medical Center, a master’s degree in religious studies from La Salle University in Philadelphia and a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart College in Belmont. Later she received a certificate in spiritual direction from the Diocese of Charlotte. Her pursuit of education reflected her dedication to caring for others’ spiritual needs.
Throughout her ministry, Sister Antonette served in various roles, embodying her motto: “That the world may believe.” She ministered at the Jesuit House of Prayer in Hot
Springs as a retreat director from 2001 to 2004 and served as spiritual mentor and coordinator for young adult ministry at the Diocese of Charlotte during the same period.
From 2004 to 2007, she served as Vice President of Mission and Values at Mercy Suburban Hospital in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Her compassionate spirit extended to her work as a Chaplain for Mission Services and pastoral care at St. Joseph – Chandler Health System in Savannah, Georgia. She served as Assistant to the Community Life Coordinator at Marian Center from 2014 to 2020, as well as working at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville, Well of Mercy retreat center in Hamptonville, and Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley earlier in her career.
Sister Antonette's unwavering dedication to her ministries and her deep prayer life touched countless lives. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her Sisters of Mercy, revealing her lifelong commitment to service, faith and love.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Virginia.
She is survived by her three brothers and one sister, as well as her fellow Sisters of Mercy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, N.C. 28012.
A guest registry for sharing prayerful thoughts and heartfelt condolences is available online at www.mcleanfuneral.com.
McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
More online
Read more about Sister Antonette Schmidt https://issuu.com/catholicnewsherald/docs/cnh_issue_08_13_04/4
Committed parish priest for 46 years
MARION — Father Carl Edwin Kaltreider was called home to the Lord on June 11, 2025. He was 82.
For more than 46 years, Father Carl faithfully served parishes across western North Carolina, including in Marion, Eden, Asheville, Andrews and Shelby. His final and longest assignment was as administrator of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Mission in Marion, where he was known first and foremost as a parish priest – deeply devoted to the salvation of souls and committed to serving others until the end of his life.
Well past the typical retirement age, Father Carl remained active, dedicated and unwavering in his vocation – a constant example of faith, perseverance and service to others.
Nothing – not even illness – could keep him from celebrating Mass daily.
On one notable occasion, despite being seriously ill with pneumonia, he concelebrated Mass in Virginia and was taken by ambulance to the ICU immediately afterward. He was released from the hospital on Thursday and by Friday morning, he was back celebrating Mass in Marion.
When asked about retirement, he would respond: “Retirement? What’s that? I signed up for life.” He meant it.
A LIFE OF MINISTRY
Born March 20, 1943, in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Father Carl was the son of Percy and Dorothy (Brady) Kaltreider. He was a 1961 graduate of Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania. He attended Towson State University in Maryland before entering Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
He was ordained to the priesthood on March 17, 1979, by the Most Rev. Michael J. Begley, the first bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, at his home parish of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hanover, Pennsylvania.
Father Carl’s first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Ann Parish in Charlotte (1979-1981). He went on to serve as pastor at St. Joseph of the Hills Parish in Eden (1981-1986), St. Lawrence Church (now Basilica) in Asheville (1986-1996), and St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Shelby and Christ the King Mission in Kings Mountain (1996-1999), before taking a sabbatical.
While at St. Lawrence, he played a key role in securing the church’s designation as a minor basilica by the Holy See in 1993.
He returned to ministry in 2007 as pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Andrews and Prince of Peace Mission in Robbinsville. In 2011, he moved to Our Lady of the Angels in Marion, where he would serve for the next 14 years.
In Marion, Father Carl built a strong community, recruiting dedicated volunteers and welcoming everyone who came through the church doors, especially those inquiring about the Catholic faith. He had a deep love for the growing Hispanic community, not letting his lack of Spanish fluency stand in the way of pastoral care.
As just one example, Our Lady of the Angels parishioner Brenda Lopez relates that the first time she met Father Carl, he asked her to help someone in need. The following Sunday, noticing she didn’t receive Communion, he asked why. She explained that she wasn’t married in the Church yet might consider it the next year. Father Carl reminded her that next year is never guaranteed. Over the next six months, he worked with the couple, eventually marrying them in the Church and then teaching them to lead marriage preparation classes. Father Carl went on to help and marry 39 other Hispanic couples.
Father Carl also established the first Hispanic Knights of Columbus council in North Carolina at Our Lady of the Angels (Council 17058).
He loved everyone who came to the door to find out about the Catholic Church. He particularly liked talking about politics and religion, striking up conversations whenever he was out and using politics as an entry point to move the conversation to religion.
Father Carl also enjoyed working with young people, teaching sacramental preparation courses and watching them grow and develop in their faith.
LEGACY OF FAITH
Those who knew Father Carl will remember his tireless dedication, generous heart and unshakable faith. We loved him deeply and feel a great emptiness in our hearts, but we carry with us the powerful example he left: to fight for and defend our faith until the very last moment of our lives.
We are profoundly grateful to God for allowing us to share our lives with this great man, priest and friend. May God welcome him into His glory.
Father Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Clyde J. Kaltreider.
He is survived by his sister, Sally (Kenneth) Weiler; nephew, John Kaltreider; and nieces Patricia Palmer, Jackie Nickol and Dee Ketterman.
ARRANGEMENTS
A Vigil for the Deceased will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Our Lady of the Angels Mission, with the prayer service starting at 6 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St., Asheville. The principal celebrant will be Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, with priests of the diocese concelebrating. Burial will follow at Belmont Abbey Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Mission, 290 N. Garden St., Marion, NC 28752.
Westmoreland Funeral Home of Marion is in charge of the arrangements.