Reverend reflects on 45 years of service

By Dana Kampa
| 10:45 a.m. February 17, 2025

Michael Garey, Linda Olsen, Rev. Phillip Schweda and Luan Morrow

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Reflecting on his 45 years of serving parishioners since he was first ordained in 1979, Rev. Phillip Schweda said he has most valued the close connections he’s built within his community.

“They’re very accommodating and welcoming of new people,” he said. “They love when out-of-towners arrive and add to the parish.”

He shared his admiration for how members have continued to unite and move forward, even in the face of obstacles like the significant damage St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church sustained during the hurricanes, and whatever else life brings.

Countless residents turned out for his jubilee celebration, held Sunday afternoon at The Lazy Lobster. They noshed on appropriately themed cherries jubilee while sharing stories about the reverend’s tenure.

Schweda has served as a parochial vicar of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, a reverend at St. Bernard Church in Holmes Beach and a judge in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Venice, primarily focusing on marriage counseling and annulments.

He began his spiritual journey at another arm of St. Mary in his home state of Michigan and knew right out of high school that he wished to join a religious order. Motivated in his quest for enlightenment, he pursued degrees in theology and church law.

Mara Curran, Tom Eakins and Meg Eakins join in the jubilee.

After retiring early from the Diocese of Lansing, he moved to Florida, where his new church was in need of a lawyer.

“I sent in my resume, and the Bishop [Frank Dewane] asks, ‘Can you start next month?’ That was 10 years ago,” Schweda recalled.

He said he appreciates the tight-knit communities of Longboat and Anna Maria Island and looks forward to continuing to do his best to build them up.

Linda Olsen, who coordinated the anniversary celebration, said she has many fond memories of working with the reverend. One particularly joyful one was when he had to navigate getting into his smart car while sporting a large hat and poncho for a Cinco de Mayo-themed get together.

“He is a delightful person — he truly is,” she said. “He is funny and very kind.”

Schweda offered his thanks to Olsen and fellow congregation members for helping him celebrate such a milestone in his career.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.