St. Edward the Confessor Parish
Mission Statement
St. Edward the Confessor Church is a unified Roman Catholic community of believers committed to Jesus Christ and His Mission. Our community fosters a spirit of Christian charity, justice, and peace through our words and actions.
St. Edward the Confessor (1003-1066)
St. Edward the Confessor became King of England in 1042 at the age of 40. Because of the Danish invasions, he had been sent by his father as a boy to Normandy where he grew up. He returned to England as a man to serve as the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings.
Edward was a pious man. He attended Mass daily and was a strong supporter of religious institutions. Probably the most outstanding monument to his religious zeal is Westminister Abbey which he ordered rebuilt.
Edward was also known for his generosity to the poor and for his patience and even temper. Visions and miracles were attributed to him during his life. In 1611, he was canonized by Pope Alexander III.
Despite worldly power and wealth, Edward did not forget to seek first the Kingdom of God. His faith was more precious to him than his position as King, for which reason he is known as Edward the Confessor. He teaches us that even in the midst of material abundance man can live for God.
Parish History
The Parish Community of St. Edward the Confessor was established June 1, 1964 by Archbishop John P. Cody with Father Alvin J. O'Reilly as Founding Pastor. Carved from the parishes of St. Christopher and St. Mary Magdalen, our parish is bounded by I-10, the Illinois Central Railroad, Clearview Parkway and Elise Avenue.
Mass was celebrated in the East Jefferson High School Auditorium until
the temporary church (now our cafeteria) could be constructed. St. Edward
School, opened in 1965 with Kindergarten and Grades 1 through 4, expanded
to encompass an excellent elementary program, Grades Pre-K to 8. Sr. Mary
de Lourdes has served as principal throughout the school's existence.
The Bell Tower, Pastoral Center, Pavilion, fence and church renovations
were completed under the administration of Msgr. Ray Hebert. Revisions
to the Pastoral Center, the Rectory and construction of a special storage
facility were accomplished during the administration of Fr. James Lohan.
During the Jubilee Year 2000, the church was substantially renovated, including the addition of a daily chapel and covered gathering area. A new two story building for the school provides needed administrative space, a new library, teacher workroom, a large multi-media studio and specialized classroom and computer room. This work began under the administration of Father Gil Martin.
Since a church parish is primarily a community of God's people, a full history would have to record the prayers, sacrifices and good deeds of its parishioners. All the men, women and youth, working in conjunction with the priests, sisters, lay teachers and lay leaders, have built a fine physical plant, school program and parish organization that reflect the vitality of a genuine Roman Catholic Christian community. Our parish continues to renew itself and grow in the work of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Parish Prayer
Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for calling us to be Your people. Pour down Your grace and mercy upon our parish. Send Your Spirit to renew us and open our hearts to Your will. Bring us together; make us one family in You.
Lord Jesus, we offer and consecrate our beloved parish to Your Sacred Heart, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother.
We, the people of St. Edward the Confessor Parish, acknowledge that You and Your Church are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Forgive us our sins and help us to forgive others. We reject the empty promises of the world. Lord, it is You we choose to serve.
We pray for our priests, deacons, and religious; for our school and parish ministries; for our families, our youth, the sick, the lonely and the elderly. We pray for the needs of all our parishioners and for our own special intentions. (pause)
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,
make our hearts like Yours!
St. Edward the Confessor, pray for us.