January 5, 2024 3:30 a.m. 

Father Juniper Schneider recently passed away in Italy at age 77.

Schneider was the pastor at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Roseburg starting in 1998 and continuing for ten to twelve years. He was perhaps best known for starting Casa de Belen, a homeless shelter for teens and single parents with children, in late 2003 or early 2004. Schneider led the effort for a number of years. He even spent his last couple of years in Roseburg focusing mainly on Casa de Belen. The non-profit remained in operation until 2020. It’s building on Northeast Grandview Drive was sold to Umpqua Community College after it was closed.

Longtime parishioner at St. Joseph’s Tim Bogan told News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN that Schneider was a “tremendous pastor”. Bogan said that Schneider was a licensed psychologist, in addition to being a Franciscan priest, and had a “goal to make you think”. He credited Schneider with starting or improving the music and youth programs at the parish. Schneider also worked to help the Spanish ministry at St. Joseph’s. Bogan said Schneider could be “blunt and bold”. He started small groups that met in homes and encouraged parishioners to go on silent retreats of up to thirty-days at a Catholic facility in California.

In a letter to The News Review, Robert Jaramillo said Schneider “exercised his pastoral mission as an advocate, a preacher and a minister to the poor, the homeless and the homeless teens”. Jaramillo said “He joined in with the different cultural groups of the parish. He had a vibrant community”.

After leaving Roseburg, Schneider spent several years in Texas before moving to Italy a number of years ago.

A Mass for Schneider will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s, located at 800 West Stanton Street.