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

VOLUME 30, NUMBER 3 MARCH 2020 www.steddy.org

Daylight Savings Time begins on March 8.

Move your clocks forward 1 hour on Saturday night!

MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY

MARCH 2-4 LENTEN MISSION —7 p.m. in church

“Recover to Rise”

Stations of the Cross Wednesdays at 8:15 a.m. (school)

Fridays at 6:30 p.m.

Adoration Chapel Hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday

8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Extended Confession Times

We will offer many opportunities for the Sacrament of

Reconciliation prior to Easter. We encourage everyone to

take advantage of this great Sacrament. In addition to our

usual confession times (listed on page 4), we will offer

the following:

Wednesdays: March 18, March 25 and April 1

5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Knights of Columbus’ luncheon fish fry on

Friday, March 13 will be from 11 to 2 p.m. and will be

drive through only at the KC Hall, 4021 Trenton

Street in Metairie. They will offer a Shrimp Plate ($10),

a Fish Plate ($10) and a combo ($12), each including

French fries, hushpuppies and French bread.

On Friday, March 27, the KCs will be selling 32 ounce

containers of Shrimp Etouffée, including rice, under the

pavilion from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. (or until they sell out).

The price is only $15.00 (cash and carry). Why cook

when you can pick up quality food supplied by the KC’s

to eat in the comfort of your home.

Join STEAM and the Knights of

Columbus for seafood dinners on

Fridays in March:

March 6 STEAM Fish Fry

March 13 KC Luncheon Fish Fry

March 20 STEAM Fish Fry

March 27 KC sale of Shrimp Etouffee

STEAM’s two Fish Fries (March 6 and March 20) will be held in the cafeteria beginning at 6 p.m. The

drive-thru (Sr. Julia’s driveway on Park Drive) will be

open from 5:30—7:30 p.m. only. Please note: the

drive-thru will have a limited menu: shrimp, fish and

combo platters served with hushpuppies and French fries

only. Look for additional details (menu and cost) in

upcoming bulletins and flyers.

LENTEN EVENING REFLECTION

March 25 at 7 p.m. in church

The Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs will

host a Lenten Evening Reflection on Wednesday,

March 25 at 7 p.m. at St. Edward the Confessor

Church. Our presenter, Fr. Kyle Dave, will speak on “A

Sign of God’s Will: He Leads You Where You Do Not

Intend To Go.” Everyone is invited to attend. For more

information, call Tricia O’Connor at (504) 913-5365.

Join us for our Lenten Mission, “Recover to Rise”, to be

presented by Fr. Sidney Speaks, who currently serves as

the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker in Marrero. Fr. Speaks

will show how, through the story of the woman with the

alabaster jar (from the New Testament), we have to be

broken like the jar and be revived, or renewed, so as to be

led to resurrection.

Fr. Sidney, a native of Baltimore, is the oldest of nine

children. At the age of sixteen, he felt the call of

priesthood and two years later, entered the Josephite

Fathers formation program in New Orleans. He graduated

in 1994 from Xavier University, then received the Master

of Divinity degree in 1999 from the Dominican House of

Studies in Washington, DC. He was ordained a Josephite

priest in 1999. Fr. Speaks went on to serve as a parochial

vicar in Washington, DC, and in Beaumont, Texas.

During this time, he realized his love for the youth and

young adult ministry. He has spoken in over 25 dioceses

throughout the nation and led many Catholic workshops.

After reaching out to Archbishop Aymond, Fr. Speaks

was invited to minister as a parish priest in the

Archdiocese of New Orleans. He served as parochial

vicar at St. Matthew the Apostle in River Ridge and is

currently the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker.

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Registration is open for the 2020-2021 school year. We have openings in

most grade levels. Registration forms may be completed in the School office

(888-6353). Please help spread the word about our National Blue Ribbon School

of Excellence. Check out our official Facebook page. Search for steddyschool

and hit Like.

Stations of the Cross for the students are held every Wednesday through

April 8 at 8:15 a.m. in church.

To better accommodate our visitors, Grandparents Days will be held in the

church. This will help us provide adequate and more comfortable seating for all.

Grandparents Days include a variety of musical events by the children, photo

opportunities, a book fair and coffee and donuts.

March 16 at 9 a.m. for Kindergarten

March 17 at 9 a.m. for grades 1 and 2

March 18 at 9 a.m. for grades 3 and 4

March 19 at 9 a.m. for Pre-K3 and Pre-K4

March 20 at 9 a.m. for Pre-K1 and Pre-K2

St. Edward School plans to convert room 115 to an additional PreK1-PreK2

classroom. Room 115 is located in the convent, adjacent to the PreK1-PreK2 play

yard. This new classroom will allow us to expand our current PreK1-PreK2

programs, which have experienced sizable waiting lists. The timetable for

completion of this project is still in the process of being established, and it is as

yet uncertain whether the facility will be ready by fall 2020.

SCHOOL NEWS

Fasting and Abstinence Guidelines for Lent Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics

who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound to fast may take only

one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength

according to each one’s needs, but eating solid food between meals is not

permitted.

Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years or older on

Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all Fridays of Lent. The spirit of the season

of Lent should be maintained throughout the weeks of Lent. The obligation to

observe penitential days of the Church is very important to our spiritual lives. No

one should be scrupulous in this regard. People should seek to do more rather than

less, since fast and abstinence on the days prescribed should be considered a

minimal response to the Lord’s call to penance and conversion of life.

Lent : What is your Secret?

Mother Teresa was asked once how she was able to do what she did. She said

simply, “My secret is: I pray.” Prayer was her powerhouse! Jesus also had prayer

as His powerhouse. In the midst of all that He was doing to build the kingdom of

God and teach others about the Father, He rose early, and He prayed. The

apostles were so touched by what they saw, they asked Him “Teach us to pray.”

How much do we talk about prayer and desire to grow in our prayer more than

we actually pray? Lent is a time the Church has set aside for us as a “mini

retreat”, modeled on Christ’s 40 days in the desert before He began His public

ministry. He fasted and He prayed. As we enter Lent, we are called to fast and to

pray. Let us ask Jesus, “Teach us to pray.” Let our prayer become a powerhouse

in our lives to do whatever He calls us to do. Let’s not just talk about it but do

something. Commit to a time for prayer. Let prayer be your secret this Lent!

Our Adoration Chapel is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m.

to 10 p.m. because of committed adorers. We work in teams of 2, and need

another committed adorer on Fridays at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m. Please

call Sheila Butler at 889-0334.

St. Edward the Confessor

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Annual Report

January 1-December 31, 2019

Balance on 1/1/19 $5,279.71

RECEIPTS Interest .60

Members 675.00

Poor Box 27,158.55

Fund Raising Proceeds

Hilltoppers 1,057.00

St. Joseph’s Altar 4,318.00

School Collections 1,088.84

Other SVDP 75.00

Memorials 630.00

TOTAL RECEIPTS $35,002.99

EXPENSES

Client Aid Burial 0.00

Clothing 0.00

Food 1,219.59

Furniture 0.00

Gas/Auto 288.08

Medical 387.52

Other 598.79

Rent 20,502.64

Shelter 1,725.00

Travel 0.00

Utilities 10,081.47

Dues to Councils Archdiocesan 504.45

East Jefferson 1,106.96

National/Regional 0.00

Operational Expenses $67.00

TOTAL EXPENSES $36,481.50

Balance as of 1/1/20 $3,801.20

FOOD PANTRY:

Bags of Food Distributed: 822

As is evident by their Annual

Report, our St. Vincent de Paul

Society assists many families in

need living within our Parish

boundaries. Financial donations

from the poor boxes in the back

of church make it all possible.

Thank you for your continued

support.

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Hilltoppers are here to serve others. Through the

generosity of our members, we collected and distributed

over 300 pairs of socks, 80 knit hats and 3 scarves to

homeless men’s shelters in our area. We look forward to

additional projects in the future.

We will celebrate Easter at our March luncheon/

meeting on Thursday, March 26 at East Jefferson

General Hospital-Conference Room E-3. (on the first

floor). Entrée choices will be Cabbage rolls or Fish. Cost is

$20.00. Doors open at 11 a.m. for socialization with lunch

being served at noon. Reservations must be made by

Friday, March 20, and mailed to Evelyn Hudson, 1109

Carnation Ave., Metairie, LA 70001 (887-2760)

Our annual Day at the Races was enjoyed by all. Future

outings are in the works so if you wish to join us for some

fun and fellowship, contact Jay Vallelungo at 504-885-

8006 for membership information.

HILLTOPPERS NEWS

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION PROGRAM

MONTH TWO– Developing Spiritually Adopted Baby

Your baby is making progress developing all his external

features and internal organs. His brain is functioning at 40

days. His mother can hear his heartbeat now on an

ultrasonic stethoscope. Milk-teeth buds are present at 6 ½

weeks. And it has been reported that a two-month old

baby can suck his thumb. From this moment, your

spiritually adopted baby grows and refines his body. But

everything he needs to survive once he is born is already

present by the end of the eighth week.

LADIES COUNCIL NEWS

The Ladies Council has many exciting events planned for

March! The Book Fair will be the week of March 16-20.

More specific information will be sent home through

school regarding the book fair schedule and the times each

class will attend. We will host five Grandparent's Days

this month: March 16 for Kindergarten; March 17 for

grades 1 and 2; March 18 for grades 3 and 4; March 19

for Pre-K3 and Pre-K4; and March 20 for Pre-K1 and

Pre-K2. Volunteers are still needed for all days. Please

contact Michelle Tarifa (504-628-6062) if you can help.

Please note that our General Meeting will be on

Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. We hope

to see you there. Like us on Facebook: St. Edward the

Confessor Ladies Council.

Join us for our Dining Out event on Tuesday, March

24 at Mooyah, 4100 Veterans Blvd. from 5 p.m. to 9

p.m. Mention St. Edward and Mooyah will donate a

percentage of the total sales to St. Edward School.

STEAM NEWS

Our next General Membership meeting will be held on

Wednesday, March 11, in the school cafeteria. Doors

open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

As always, dinner will follow the meeting. We have many upcoming Spring events! Join us and be a

part of the great St. Edward community! Like us on

Facebook: St. Edward Association of Men—STEAM. We will have two Lenten Fish Fry events. They will be

held on March 6 and March 20 in the school cafeteria.

The drive-thru (Sr. Julia’s driveway on Park Drive) will be

open from 5:30—7:30 p.m. only, while the walk-in (in the

cafeteria) will open at 6 p.m. Please note: the drive-thru

has a limited menu: shrimp, fish and combo platters served

with hushpuppies and French fries only. Our annual Crawfish Cookoff will take place on

Saturday, May 2 beginning at 5 p.m. Find out all of the

details on these events at www.STEAMevents.org.

Get ready for the 9th annual Auction and Gala on

Saturday, March 28 at The Ridgeway, 2431 Metairie

Road. There are fantastic items up for auction. Come out

and enjoy music, a buffet dinner, open bar, silent and live

auctions, a $3000 raffle, dancing, and socializing with

friends! Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. Gala admission is

$55 per person ($65 at the door if still available). For

questions, email stedgala@gmail.com. Tickets may be

purchased online at www.bidpal.net/stedgala

Archdiocese To Celebrate

Golden Wedding Anniversaries The annual Archdiocesan Golden Wedding Anniversary

celebration will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, at

St. Philip Neri Church in Metairie. This celebration is for

couples married 50 years or more.

So that certificates can be prepared and seating

arrangements made, our parishioners should register at

St. Edward for this event no later than Friday, March 20.

To sign up, contact the Parish Center or call 888-0703.

Please note that this celebration is a prayer service and

not a celebration of the Mass. Participation does not meet

one’s Sunday obligation to attend Mass.

Sacred Heart Home Enthronement

Promises of Jesus for souls devoted to His Sacred

Heart:

Third Promise: I will console them in all their troubles.

For more information on enthroning your home to the

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

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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

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. Catechists are needed to help

young students learn and grow in 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 (on Mondays from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m.) and begin on

August 17. If you would like to explore the possibility of

becoming a catechist, please contact Trevor Huster, our

Director of Religious Education, at 888-0703 or

thuster@steddy.org.

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

Mondays through Fridays 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).

Seder Meal Registration

Name_____________________________________

Name_____________________________________

Phone______________________________________

Donation Enclosed $__________________________

Please return to the Parish Center, School Office or

Sunday collection basket by Wednesday, April 1.

You are invited to attend our annual Seder Meal on

Palm Sunday, April 5, in the cafeteria following the 4:30

p.m. Mass.

This joyous occasion reminds us of our Jewish roots in

the observance of the Passover Meal, similar to the one

shared by Jesus, His family and disciples. We begin with

the customary Passover ceremony—music and a sample

plate of the traditional Passover meal of lamb, haroset,

unleavened bread and herbs. It will be interspersed with

prayers and wine toasts.

Following this comes the full meal which is provided by

the Parish. Each person attending is asked to donate $5 to

cover the meal expenses. To ensure that there is enough

food for everyone, please return the reservation form

below no later than Wednesday, April 1. The Seder Meal

has become a special event for our community and is a

wonderful way to lead into Holy Week. We hope to see

you there.

Respect Life Art Contest

All St. Edward parishioners in 5th, 6th

and 7th grade are invited to enter our

Respect Life Art Contest with original

artwork depicting a pro-life message.

The art will be displayed in the cafeteria on March 8

during STEAM’s coffee and donut social. Winners will

be announced at the 10 a.m. Mass on March 8 and will

receive cash prizes! Look for flyers on the tables in back

of church for all the guidelines and details.