Welcome to St. Edmund Parish, Oak Park, IL

The St. Edmund Parish Website incorporates information and news about St. Edmund Parish, the first Roman Catholic Parish in Oak Park, and includes weekly updates about St. Edmund School, educating children pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade.  

St. Edmund Mission Statement

The people of St. Edmund Parish are a diverse community of Christians whose beliefs are rooted in sacred scripture and the traditions of the Catholic faith. We strive to fulfill the commandments of Jesus to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength (Mk 12:30), and to love one another as He has loved us (Jn 13:34). We gather as community to be nourished in Word and Sacrament, and are sent forth to be, to see and to experience Christ in the world with friend and stranger alike.

In gratitude for all our blessings, we commit ourselves to love, forgive and support each other joyfully. We seek to serve others and to be active participants in living our Catholic faith.

** News and Events for the Week of August 29, 2010 **  

• Saturdays and Sundays, August 28-29, and September 4-5, the annual “Gathering on the Green” will be held on the parish lawn.  All parishioners and visitors are invited to gather for fellowship, camaraderie and treats.  Enjoy the beautiful flowers, lush lawn and lingering scents of the summer. Various organizations within the St. Edmund Parish and School community will host these informal social gatherings. Volunteers are needed to supply light refreshments and to assist with set-up and serving. All are welcome to volunteer and participate. If you are new to the parish, it is a great way to meet fellow parishioners!

• Saturday, September 18 , Ministers of Care are invited to a special Enrichment Day, designed to honor you and your special ministry. You give so much to those you serve. The event is from 10:30 am – 12 pm noon in Murphy Hall. Kindly respond by calling Peggy Leddy at 708-848-4417, extension 202 or via email at: pleddy@stedmund.org

• Sunday, September 19, 6:00 pm Sunday Mass will resume. Young adults especially are invited to attend this mass but, of course, all parishioners are very welcome.

• Tuesday, September 21, Virtus/Protecting God’s Children Training will be held 6:30pm - 9:30pm in Murphy Hall. The Archdiocese of Chicago requires that any person in a position of trust in the Archdiocese; clergy, employees and volunteers, complete the Virtus training. If you need to register for this training,  please go to Virtus On-Line  and locate the St. Edmund training session. You MUST register on-line for this training. You may also call the Religious Education office at 708-848-7220.

• Friday-Sunday, October 29-31, join your fellow parishioners for a Parish Retreat at the Cabrini Retreat Center in Des Plaines.  Led by Pastor Emeritus Fr. Joe Ruiz, the retreat will explore the theme, Conforming our Dreams and the Dreams of Jesus. All are welcome to register, but space is limited. Please click this link to download the registration form or stop by the parish office during regular office hours. You may drop off the completed registration form at the parish office. For any questions, please contact Anthony Suárez-Abraham at 708-848-4417 or asuarez@stedmund.org 

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• The Religious Education schedule for 2010-2011 is now available.  Click on the Religious Education link for the schedule of sessions, Social Justice Days for Junior High and Family events.

• Do you want to become a Catholic, or perhaps just learn more about the Catholic faith? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) starts soon and  registration is now open. For more information about RCIA . contact Peggy Leddy, at 708-848-4417, extension 202 or email pleddy@stedmund.org.

• Adult Confirmation Sessions. Baptized Catholics, 18 and older, who are not yet confirmed, are invited to contact Peggy Leddy for information about preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Peggy may be reached at 708-848-4417, extension 202, or pleddy@stedmund.org.

• We Need the Generosity of Every Parishioner! The easiest and most convenient way to remember your weekly collection is to sign up for automatic electronic withdrawal. It is a very safe method of support and helps the parish know exactly what it can count on from week to week. Additionally, there are many people who do not financially support their parish at all, and we need the help of everyone! Please consider what you are able to give and sign up for automatic electronic withdrawal today! Click here  for a downloadable form.

• Saint Edmund parishioners are invited to subscribe to new parish listserv. Send an email using the address you wish to use to receive posts addressed to the following address: imailsrv@stedmund.org. Leave the subject line empty and write the following in the body of the e-mail: Subscribe stedmund <your name as you wish to see it displayed>. Except for your name, the command is case sensitive.  For full details, see the March 14 Echoes.

• Adult Confirmation Sessions. Catholics, 18 and older, who are baptized and have received the Sacrament of Eucharist, but are yet been confirmed, are invited to contact Peggy Leddy for information about preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. She may be reached at 708-848-4417, extension 202, or pleddy@stedmund.org .

• Parents with young children (newborn - 3 years of age) are invited to join the New St. Edmund Parents Group (New StEPs). This informal play group meets on the second and fourth Friday of each month.  All are welcome! Please contact Ele Santini at elyte1@comcast.net for more information.

• New or expectant parents are invited to register for Baptismal Preparation Class. For more information or to register, please contact Peggy Leddy at either 708-848-4417, extension 202 or via email at pleddy@stedmund.org.

• Centering Prayer Group, Saturdays at 9:15  a.m. in the church. All are welcome.

• Monthly Wedding Anniversary Sunday is held at all masses on the first Sunday of the month. A special blessing is bestowed on all couples who will celebrate their anniversary in that month.

• St. Edmund Young Adults (SEYA) welcomes all parishioners in their 20s and 30s to visit their blogspot, http://www.saintedmundyoungadults.blogspot.com

• Be a part of the P.A.D.S Ministry.  Click here for more information and a Volunteer Registration Form.

• Our sharing parish: St. Simeon Parish, Bellwood, IL.  Click here for details.

• Purchase MANNA Certificates;  click on St. Edmund School page for details. Credit cards now accepted.

• Wednesday Night Bridge,  7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Murphy Hall. Beginners and advanced players welcome!  Learn or improve your game.

  “We need silence to be alone with God, to speak with Him, to ponder His words deep in our hearts.”

-  Mother Teresa

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