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THE CONFESSORTHE CONFESSORTHE CONFESSOR A Publication of St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church

VOLUME 30, NUMBER 6 JUNE 2020 www.steddy.org

Founder’s Day—June 1st

This year on June 1, 2020, marks the 56th anniversary

of the founding of St. Edward the Confessor Parish

(Founder’s Day). While we have always celebrated this

occasion with a special Mass and the presentation of Eddy

Awards, this year must be delayed as our world struggles

to overcome the tragedy of Covid19.

On Monday, June 1, let us remember all those, living

and deceased, who worked to build this faith community

as well as those who continue to give and share. We pray

that God’s love for us and our love for Him may continue

to grow in our hearts and in the hearts of our neighbors,

children and grandchildren.

from Fr. Seiler, Fr. Kevin and Staff of

St. Edward

Dear Parishioners of St. Edward:

We have resumed our regular Mass schedule in church

(see page 4); however, we must adhere to strict mitigation

standards in preventing the spread of COVID-19. This

requires spacing of groups, limiting concentration of

people, strict use of PPE, and frequent sanitizing. The

number of people who can gather in the church is 25%

of the occupancy of the church. Therefore, no more

than 150 people may participate in any one celebration

of Mass. Ushers will serve as “crowd managers” at each

Mass. These restrictions may open further once the

governor moves the state into Phase II recovery.

Please remember that Archbishop Aymond has

dispensed the people of the Archdiocese from the

obligation to attend Sunday Mass. He has also directed

that if someone is vulnerable and not feeling well, they

should not participate in Mass with other people. Social

distancing must be observed at all times – 6 feet apart.

This includes the Communion line as well. All ministers

will observe proper hygiene of their hands. Because Mass

will be celebrated indoors and everyone will be sharing

the same air, participants MUST wear a mask. Communion on the tongue is not encouraged. The sign of

peace may be given by bowing to the other person.

Everyone should depart the premises as soon as Mass

ends and as people depart from Mass, social distancing

must be observed.

Each day a video of the daily Mass at St. Edward will

be posted on our website at www.steddy.org.

The church will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

daily for personal prayer visits. The Parish Center has

resumed regular business hours. The Adoration Chapel

will reopen on Monday, June 1st, with a limit of no

more than 8 people at any given time and everyone must

wear a mask. Our regular schedule for the Sacrament of

Reconciliation has also resumed (see page 4). Again,

please maintain appropriate “social distancing” while in

church and in the chapel.

Your generous contributions to support the mission and

ministries of St. Edward the Confessor Parish has always

been greatly appreciated. Your stewardship is an act of

thanksgiving for all that God has done for you and your

loved ones. You may send in your weekly donation

through the U.S. mail or put in the collection basket. No

gift is too small or insignificant. God bless you in

advance for your parish support.

Let us continue to pray for the Lord’s protection from

illness and for the full recovery of anyone experiencing

sickness at this time.

Antidote for Anxiety!

When the saint, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, was asked,

“What will convert America and save the world?” She

answered, “My answer is prayer. What we need is for

every parish to come before Jesus in the Blessed

Sacrament in holy hours of prayer.”

Covid 19 reminds us of our need for Him. We need

prayer to convert America and save the world. Only

prayer can bring us true peace. Our parish is looking

forward to reopening our chapel as soon as we have

adorers for all the hours. Most of our current adorers are

ready and eager to return. However, we have a few gaps.

Come bring your needs and those of your family and

find refreshment and peace! Make Adoration your priority

and place of refuge! Call Sheila Butler at 889-0334.

Hurricane Season Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, through the powerful intercession

of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us from all harm

during this hurricane season and protect us and our homes

from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor,

hasten to help us.

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Our fraternal year is winding down. It has been a

productive year of many men joining the ranks of the

Knights and plenty of community service.

Our Council, with the help of Councilman Deano

Bonano, held a non-perishable food drive at St Edward on

May 9. All food donations were delivered to residents of

Metairie Manor (eastbank) and Wynhoven Living Center

(westbank), along with cash donations of over $1,000 to

be used to purchase food items. Thank you for your

generosity.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS

PASS IT FORWARD

BECOME A CATECHIST!

Approximately 40 children in grades 1 through 11 will

sign up at St. Edward this fall to learn more about Jesus

and the Catholic Faith. Each class size usually ranges

anywhere between 4 and 13 students. Substitute teachers

and aides are needed to help our primary classroom

teachers. Substitute catechists and teacher aides help

young students learn and grow as they teach the Catholic

Faith. As you nurture the faith of our young, you will

learn and grow as well. All instructions and materials are

provided for you. As one long-time catechist put it, “I

learn so much from the children!”

Our Parish School of Religion classes are held once

per week (Mondays from 4:15 PM to 5:30 PM) and

begin on August 17. If you would like to explore the

possibility of becoming a substitute catechist or assistant,

please contact Trevor Huster, our Director of Religious

Education, at 888-0703 or thuster@steddy.org.

ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR CHURCH

Your chimes ring out daily, St. Edward, so serene,

As a reminder of a holy place that can easily be seen.

What a happy time to be at Mass

with relatives and friends!

It’s a great experience in faith,

that each heart daily attends.

You’ve made it so available, the daily, sacred Mass,

With your portal, always open, we simply cannot pass.

God’s grace is at work as together we pray and sing.

We praise you Father, as melodious church bells ring.

St. Edward we love you, you’re a refuge from the storm.

As we begin each day with you, in evening or the morn.

We visit also in quiet time, as your vigil light ever burns.

It’s a sign of God’s presence to us,

with so many concerns.

St. Edward, you’ve inspired us all to live holier lives,

Whether we be in single state, or husbands and wives.

May God continue to use you, each and every day,

Knowing what He has wrought in Jesus Christ the Way.

Now we move on in our lives to spread the good news.

So much of which may have begun

in St. Edward’s pews.

St. Edward, we now extend our most heartfelt thanks.

As we reach out to others,

who may hopefully join our ranks.

Summer Cabbageball League

STEAM will host another fun-filled Summer

Cabbageball League for children entering

Pre-K4—8th grade. This is a great opportunity

for kids to have fun learning the game of

cabbageball while interacting with classmates. The cost is

$18 per child and the registration deadline is June 3.

To help offset the costs, we welcome corporate and

private sponsorships. Contact Keith Millet (504-473-

3781) for more details. Register and pay online at

SteamEvents.org. Games will be played on Mondays and

Thursdays and begin on Monday, June 15.

STEAM is also beginning the adult cabbageball league

starting on Sunday, June 7, at 6 p.m. in the parking lot.

Contact Daniel Haworth (504-701-3269) or visit

STEAMevents.org to join in the fun.

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SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

PROGRAM

Your spiritually adopted baby weighs over one

pound now. Her mother can feel her movement now.

Before she was too small for her to feel. Although she

swam with ease in her watery world, she needed to be big

and strong enough to kick hard against the outside wall

and dent it - - the inside wall of the uterus has no feeling.

We are mid-way through the pregnancy now. Your

prayers have helped your baby’s mother continue with her

pregnancy and to seek the help she needs.

Congratulations to these St. Edward Students:

Archbishop Chapelle High School

Academic Scholarship (valued at $1,000 per year)

awarded to:

Katie Scuderi

St. Mary’s Dominican High School

The Gauthier Endowed Scholarship for Academics

awarded to:

Kayleigh Jollands

Archbishop Rummel High School

Honors Scholarship

(valued at $4,200 per year) awarded to:

Brandt Frey

Archbishop Rummel High School

Scholarship for the Arts

(valued at $2,500 per year) awarded to:

Milos Valenta

Cabrini High School

Academic Scholarship

(valued at $1,000 per year) awarded to:

Alaina Coleman

Brother Martin High School

Academic Scholar Status

(valued at $2,865 per year) awarded to:

Brady Gueydan and Kyle Millet

Edna and Bert Donnes Memorial Award

Highest Academic Average Award:

Thomas Schmitt

STEAM Gus Pumilia Scholarships:

Kyle Millet and Katie Scuderi

Ladies Council Scholarships:

Kayleigh Jollands and Thomas Schmitt

Congratulations to the 2020 Graduating Class Of St. Edward School

Frances Bade

Nathan Braun

Anthony Catalanotto

Alaina Coleman

Timothy Delaune

Peyton Depolitte

Carlos Fernandez

Brandt Frey

Isabella Gibson

Connor Gourgues

Brady Gueydan

Laila Hoang

Kayleigh Jollands

Alyson Krajcer

Caleb LaFrance

Thinh Le

Lindsey LeJeune

Madeline Lesslie

Greyson Lusignan

Logan Marcel

Chase Mashburn

Jordan McCarty

Kyle Millet

Lucy Orlando

Rachelann Potter

Egan Prather

Carina Rodriguez

Emily Romano

Sophia Schielder

Thomas Schmitt

Cameron Scuderi

Katie Scuderi

John Segretto

Gunnar Smith

Peyton Spadoni

Olivia Srirerg

Kaitlyn Stremlau

Hailey Thibodeaux

Miloslav Valenta

Cecilia Vu

Emileigh Ward

Hayden West

Grace Williams

Sophia Wright

Sacred Heart Home Enthronement

Jesus promised that He would establish peace in

families and bless every home in which an image of His

Heart is exposed and honored. It requires no more

commitment than faithfulness to our Baptismal Promises,

but it deepens our relationship with Christ. If we sanctify

the family through the Sacred Heart, we will sanctify all

of society.

Promises of Jesus for souls devoted to His Sacred

Heart:

Sixth Promise: Sinners shall find in My Heart the

source of an infinite ocean of mercy.

For more information on enthroning your home to the

Sacred Heart of Jesus, contact Yvette Fouchi at 874-9225.

Congratulations to Amanda Darda,

Valedictorian at Chapelle High School

this year. Amanda attended St. Edward

School, was active in our CYO, and will

be attending UNO in the fall to study

Engineering. Congratulations Amanda!

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St. Edward the Confessor Church

4921 West Metairie Avenue

Metairie, LA 70001

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID METAIRIE, LA

PERMIT NO. 615

The 2021 Mass Intention Book will open next

month on Wednesday, July 1 at 9 a.m. Please

come to the Parish Center to choose the particular

dates you would like. Mass Offerings are $5 each.

The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday

from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Our congratulations to

Father Seiler

on the 30th anniversary of his

Priestly Ordination on June 2;

Father Kevin

on the 11th anniversary of his

Priestly Ordination on June 6;

and Deacon Tim

on the 2nd anniversary of his

Ordination to the Diaconate on

June 23.

GENERAL PARISH INFORMATION

PARISH STAFF

Pastor: Rev. Gerald L. Seiler, Jr.

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Kevin T. DeLerno

Deacons: Steven J. Koehler

Timothy G. Meaut

School Principal: Dr. Thomas E. Becker, Jr.

Director of Religious Ed.: Trevor D. Huster

ADDRESSES , TELEPHONES AND E-MAIL

Parish Office: 4921 West Metairie Ave.

Metairie, LA 70001-4466

(504) 888-0703; (504) 455-5443 FAX

E-mail: stedward@steddy.org

Parish Website: www.steddy.org

School: 4901 West Metairie Ave.

Metairie, LA 70001-4496

(504) 888-6353; (504) 456-0960 FAX

E-mail: stedschool@steddy.org

School website: www.steddyschool.com

SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE

Vigil (Saturdays) at 4 p.m.

Sundays at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon and 4:30 p.m.

WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE

Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.

Holy Days of Obligation follow special schedules. See weekly bulletin.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturdays at 2:30 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at

5 p.m., and by appointment.

THE CONFESSOR

The deadline is 9 a.m. on the first Monday of each month. Send

information to Joanna Whitcomb (jwhitcomb@steddy.org).

In Giving We Receive

In our early lives we are dependent upon our parents,

teachers, and others for our subsistence and overall

well-being. They are givers; we are receivers.

As we grow in stature, understanding and wisdom, we

should come to the realization that our lives consist of

both giving and receiving. The older we become the more

we should be aware that giving is a greater blessing than

receiving. In fact, Holy Scripture points out that “it is

more blessed to give than to receive.”

Selfishness and self-aggrandizement should give way to

a spirit of serving God and others, for greater fulfillment

in life. Unfortunately, too many of us do not discover this

great truth until too late in our lives.

Our society is consumer-oriented. It offers more and

more opportunities for us to gain material opulence. Too

often our goals coincide with this trend and we go

through life obtaining things through the services of

others. In effect, we use people and their services to

enrich ourselves with more and better homes, vehicles,

boats, clothing, etc.

Our society seems to measure success in terms of how

much wealth we have accumulated. Being wealthy, in and

of itself, is not sinful, especially if it enables us to provide

needed services to others. Unfortunately, too many think

of wealth as their major goal. Jesus gives us an example

of this as folly. He cites the farmer whose crop was so

large that he tore down his grain bin to build a larger one.

He would then sit back and enjoy life, but he did not have

the wisdom to realize that his life was not long for this

world.

The teaching of Jesus is that we possess things in order

to be of service to others, and by serving others, we serve

our Heavenly Father. When we reach out to help someone

in need, we feel good inside. It is the Christian Way. It is

also joyful, and the Holy Spirit is at work in us. We then

discover the wonderful truth that it is in giving that we

receive.