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

VOLUME 28, NUMBER 3 MARCH 2018 www.steddy.org

Turn to the Eucharist for Lent “Repent and believe the good news.” The season of

Lent begins with ashes and these words, to be followed

with a season of prayer, repentance, self denial and

conversion. We imitate Christ going into the desert to

fast and pray, and meditate on His Passion and Death. It

is about turning from sin. It is about knowing God’s

love and growing in our love and surrender to Him. It is

about focusing less on us and more on Him.

The Eucharist is the presentation of Christ’s sacrifice

on the cross. Jesus, Himself, is present in this sacrament

of love. Let us draw near to Him and gaze on His Face

with thanksgiving, reverence, and awe. There is no

better place to focus more on Him than to draw aside to

the quiet of the Adoration Chapel. The chapel is open

every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to

10 p.m. “Come.”

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 6), we will offer the

following:

Wednesdays, March 7, 14 and 21: 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Outdoor Way of the Cross The Lenten programs at St. Edward the

Confessor Parish will continue this month

with a special Outdoor Way of the Cross. It

will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 10.

As a parish community, we will gather to spiritually

enter into the suffering of Jesus. Volunteers will assist one

another in carrying the large cross from station to station

across the grounds of the parish. At the conclusion, the

cross will be placed in the ground in front of the church

where it will help serve as a visual reminder throughout

the remainder of Lent of our Lord’s sacrifice for each one

of us. The Outdoor Way of the Cross is presented by the

parish’s Evangelization Committee.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Palm Sunday, March 25

Masses at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 Noon

and 4:30 p.m. (Vigil at 4 p.m. on Saturday)

Palms will be blessed and distributed

at all Masses.

The Parish Seder Meal will be served in the

cafeteria following the 4:30 p.m. Mass.

Share a meal with our faith community,

while experiencing the way that our

Jewish brothers and sisters observe the

Passover meal.

Monday—Tuesday, March 26-27

Masses at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Confession at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 28

Masses at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

School Stations of the Cross at 8:15 a.m.

Confession at 6:30 p.m.

Holy Thursday, March 29

Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

will follow until midnight in the Chapel.

Good Friday, March 30

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3 p.m.

Commemorate the death of the Lord

and venerate the Holy Cross.

Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m.

Holy Saturday, March 31

Solemn Morning Prayer at 10 a.m.

Easter Vigil Mass at 8 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 1

Masses at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 Noon

(No evening Mass)

Alleluia, Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

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JOIN SR. JULIA AND THE

SISTERS OF THE LIVING WORD

For a Day at the RACES

Join Sr. Julia and the Sisters of the Living

Word for a Day at the Races at the New

Orleans Fairgrounds on Saturday, March

10, from Noon to 5 p.m. All proceeds

benefit the Sisters and their ministries.

The cost of $60 per person includes fairgrounds

admission and a lunch buffet. There will be a silent

auction and lots of fun with friends. Information on

purchasing tickets is available in our School and Parish

Offices and on the tables in back of church.

Purchase Tickets or Sponsor the St. Edward

Black and Gold Gala and Auction

To purchase tickets online, please visit

www.501auctions.com/stedwardgala Or Contact Karen Cameron at 504-454-6563 or email

stedgala@gmail.com.

Saturday, March 10, 2018 7:30 pm to Midnight

The Ridgeway 2431 Metairie Road

Gala Admission $ 50 Per Person

$60 at door if still available – Parking on Premises

Black and Gold Patron $ 250

Includes admission for 2 and publicity

Auction Board or Band Sponsor $ 300

Includes company name, sponsorship and publicity

Eagle Patron $ 500

Includes admission for 4, publicity, and reserved table

Sponsorship Level: _____Amount: Check #_______

Sponsor Name: (as it will appear in program) _________

Address _____

City State Zip__________

Phone (day) ____ (evening)

Contact Name

E-mail address:__________________________________________

You are invited to attend our annual Seder Meal

on Palm Sunday, March 25, 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 by Wednesday,

March 21. 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.

Parish Seder Meal

Seder Meal Registration

Name_____________________________________

Name_____________________________________

Phone______________________________________

Donation Enclosed $__________________________

Please return to the Parish Office, School Office or

Sunday collection basket by March 21.

Pass it Forward!

Become a Catechist

Approximately 60 children in grades Kindergarten

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 14. 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.

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St. Edward the Confessor

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Annual Report

January 1-December 31, 2017

Balance on 1/1/17 $4,489.44

RECEIPTS Interest 45.46

Members 680.00

Poor Box 29,366.17

Fund Raising Proceeds

Hilltoppers 1,106.00

St. Joseph’s Altar 3,352.00

School Collections 720.00

Singles Ministry 300.00

Memorials 650.00

TOTAL RECEIPTS $36,219.63

EXPENSES

Client Aid Burial 500.00

Clothing 100.00

Food 1,442.19

Furniture 79.98

Gas/Auto 252.45

Medical 35.00

Other 690.67

Rent 17,512.00

Shelter 3,170.00

Travel 191.00

Utilities 12,717.41

Dues to Councils Archdiocesan 565.00

East Jefferson 1,177.59

National/Regional 400.06

Operational Expenses $347.68

TOTAL EXPENSES $39,181.03

Balance as of 1/1/18 $1,528.04

FOOD PANTRY:

Bags of Food Distributed: 1105

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.

Grandparents’

Days

Registration is open for the 2018-2019 school year. We have openings in

most grade levels—Pre-K1 through 7th. Registration forms may be completed

in the School (888-6353) or Parish Offices (888-0703). Please help spread the

word about our National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Check out our

new official Facebook page. Search for steddyschool and hit Like.

The Children’s Rosary meets every Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. in church.

Children of all ages and their parents are welcome to attend. What a perfect

way to introduce this most powerful prayer to our children!

Grandparents’ Days March 13 at 9 a.m. for grades 1 and 2

March 14 at 9 a.m. for grades 3 and 4

March 15 at 9 a.m. for Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and KN

March 16 from 9—10:30 a.m. for Pre-K1 and Pre-K2

Stations of the Cross for the students is held every Wednesday in March at

8:15 a.m. in church.

St. Edward School sports teams have been in the winning circle this year.

Recently, the 7th grade Soccer team won Metro Middle School Soccer

Champions, the 6th grade Soccer team won Metro 6th Grade Soccer Runner-

Ups and the Boys Junior Basketball team won East Jefferson Catholic School

Conference Runner-Ups. Congratulations to all!

SCHOOL NEWS

Congratulations to St. Edward

7th grader, Raleigh Lusignan

(pictured), for creating the

t-shirt design for the school’s

chess team. A special thank you

to Mrs. Carolee Miller and her

Honors Art Club for their

participation as well.

Each year, the seventh grade Social Studies students learn about the

American colonies. Students are given recipes for sample colonial meals which

they prepare and bring to school on Colonial Day (January 24) to share for

lunch. Dressed as colonists, the students learn how to churn butter, make can-

dles, create corn husk dolls and observe a demonstration of metal working.

Representatives from the Moisant Kiwanis Club’s Bikes for Books

Program rewarded two third grade students with bicycles. All third-grade

students receive a ticket for each book they read during the school year. Tickets

are collected and two names drawn. This program is part of the Moisant

Kiwanis Club’s ongoing mission to serve children.

Pictured at left are:

Moisant Kiwanis Club

members:

Dr. Thomas Becker

Gene Usner

Ed Guirovich

Jason Borja

Winners:

Kain Matherne

Ellie Shall

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1

Ladies Council Board Meeting—7:45 p.m. in the

Parish Center

FRIDAY, MARCH 2

Knights of Columbus Etouffée Sale—3 p.m. under the

pavilion; 32 oz Etouffée $15 each, cash & carry

FRIDAYS, MARCH 2, 9, 16, 23

Stations of the Cross—6:30 p.m. in the church

SATURDAY, MARCH 3 Confirmation Retreat—9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lay Carmelites—at 6 p.m. in the Parish Center

SUNDAY, MARCH 4 Adoration & Benediction—5:30 p.m. in church

MONDAYS, MARCH 5, 12, 19, 26

PSR Classes—4:15 p.m.

Bible Study—7 p.m. in the Parish Center

TUESDAY, MARCH 6 Cub Scout Leaders Meeting—7 p.m. in the Parish Center

TUESDAYS, MARCH 6, 13, 20, 27

Bible Study—10 a.m. in the Parish Center

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 STEAM General Meeting—7 p.m. in the cafeteria

WEDNESDAYS, MARCH 7, 14, 21 Children’s Rosary—3:15 p.m. in church

Confessions—5-6:30 p.m. in church

Parish Choir Rehearsal—7 p.m. in church

WEDNESDAYS, MARCH 7, 14, 21, 28

Stations of the Cross for School Students—

8:15 a.m. in church

FRIDAY-FRIDAY, MARCH 9-16

Ladies Council Book Fair—Times TBA

FRIDAY, MARCH 9 STEAM Fish Fry—6 p.m. in the cafeteria (Drive

Thru from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. only)

Young Marrieds—7 p.m. under the Pavilion

SATURDAY, MARCH 10 Prayer & Presence Ministry Visits St. Anthony’s Nursing

Home—Meets in gathering space after 8:30 a.m. Mass

Cub Scout Blue & Gold—10 a.m. in the cafeteria

Outdoor Way of the Cross—11 a.m.

Sisters of the Living Word Day at the Races—Noon to

5 p.m. at the Fairgrounds

Auction & Gala—7:30 p.m. at The Ridgeway

SUNDAY, MARCH 11—DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS

Coffee and Donuts—sponsored by STEAM in the

cafeteria following 10 a.m. Mass

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 Grandparents Day for Grades 1-2—9 a.m. in church

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 Grandparents Day for Grades 3-4—9 a.m. in church

Hour of Intercession to Pray for Priests, Deacons &

Religious—9:30 a.m. in church

St. Vincent de Paul Society Meeting—7 p.m. in the

Parish Center

Ladies Council General Meeting—7:30 p.m. in

the cafeteria

THURSDAY, MARCH 15 Grandparents Day for Grades Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and KN—

9 a.m. in church

Evangelization Meeting—7 p.m. in the Parish Center

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

Grandparents Day for Grades Pre-K1 and Pre-K2—9 a.m.

in the cafeteria

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 St. Jude Center Volunteers—Meet at 10 a.m.

First Communion Celebration (2nd Grade)—

10 a.m. in church

MONDAY, MARCH 19 Hilltoppers Board Meeting—12:45 p.m. in the

Parish Center

Lay Carmelites—7 p.m. in the Parish Center

TUESDAY, MARCH 20

Baptismal Seminar—7 p.m. in Parish Center

THURSDAY, MARCH 22 Hilltoppers Luncheon Meeting—11 a.m. at The Esplanade

Room, East Jefferson General Hospital

FRIDAY, MARCH 23 Cenacle of Our Loving Mother—7 p.m. in church

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

Oblates of St. Benedict—2 p.m. in the Parish Center

SUNDAY, MARCH 25 Easter Egg Hunt—Following the 10 a.m. Mass

CYO Social—Following the Easter Egg Hunt

Baptisms—1:30 p.m. in church

Seder Meal — Following the 4:30 p.m. Mass

in the cafeteria

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26-28 Confessions—6:30 p.m. in church

THURSDAY, MARCH 29 Mass of the Lord’s Supper—7 p.m. in church

FRIDAY, MARCH 30—GOOD FRIDAY

Parish Office Closed—Adoration Chapel Closed

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion—3 p.m. in church

Stations of the Cross—7 p.m. in church

SATURDAY, MARCH 31—HOLY SATURDAY

Solemn Morning Prayer—10 a.m. in church

Easter Vigil Mass—8 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 1—EASTER SUNDAY

Mass at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 Noon

(No 4:30 p.m. Mass)

MONDAY, APRIL 2—EASTER MONDAY Parish Center Closed

Daylight Savings Time begins on March 11.

Move your clocks forward 1 hour on Saturday night!

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We’ll host the annual Easter Egg Hunt on

Sunday, March 25, following the 10 a.m.

Mass. We welcome donations of individually

wrapped candy and plastic eggs. Donations

may be brought to the Parish Center.

Our social this month will be on Sunday, March 25,

following the Easter Egg Hunt. Come join us!

Anyone interested in our co-ed Volleyball team, please

contact Ms. Michelle Johnston.

CYO NEWS

STEAM NEWS Our next General Membership meeting will be held on

Wednesday, March 7, 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 our final Lenten Fish Fry on

March 9 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, April 14 beginning at 5 p.m. Find out all of the

details on these events at www.STEAMevents.org.

Catholics Returning Home is Back

Do you have a friend or family member who has

drifted away from their faith? Invite them to join our

Catholics Returning Home program.

The 6-week series will be held on Thursday

evenings in the Parish Center from April 5 through

May 10 from 7—8:30 p.m. There are no obligations

attached and one is not required to attend all of the

sessions. Please help spread the word to anyone who

may be interested in finding their way back home to

the warm embrace of the Church.

First Holy Communion We are happy to announce that thirty

one (31) of our school and PSR

students will receive First Holy

Communion on Saturday, March 17.

Sister Julia, Mrs. Cavignac and Mrs.

Gass have done a wonderful job

preparing the children for this sacred event.

Congratulations to all the children.

Our March meeting will be held on Thursday, March

22, at 12:00 noon at our new venue, East Jefferson

General Hospital (Esplanade Room). Please contact

Evelyn Hudson, 1109 Carnation Avenue, Metairie, LA

70001 (887-2760) by March 19 for reservations. Cost is

$20 per person.

Upcoming events include our Day of Prayer on March

20. For more information, please contact Katherine

McCarron. Also, on April 17, we will travel to St.

Joseph's Seminary (The Abbey) with lunch following at

Pat Gallagher's 527 Restaurant in Mandeville.

Please contact Carol Hollier at 885-8692 for information

regarding the Hilltoppers.

Pictured below with Santa at our December luncheon are

Hilltopper members, Georgette Tompson and Catherine

Vairin.

HILLTOPPERS NEWS

LADIES COUNCIL NEWS

The Ladies Council has many exciting events planned for

March! The Book Fair will be the week of March 9–16.

More specific information will be available soon regarding

the book fair schedule and the times each class will be

attending. We will host four Grandparent's Days this

month: March 13 for grades 1 and 2; March 14 for

grades 3 and 4; March 15 for Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and

kindergarten; and March 16 for Pre-K1 and Pre-K2.

Volunteers are still needed for all days. Please contact

Catherine Belanger if you can help out.

The General Meeting will be on Wednesday, March

14 at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Like us on Facebook:

St. Edward the Confessor Ladies Council.

Get ready for the Auction & Gala on

Saturday, March 10 at The Ridgeway,

2431 Metairie Road, beginning at 7:30

p.m. There are fantastic items up for silent

and live auction. Join us for delicious food and drinks,

great music, dancing and socializing with friends. Tickets

are $50 each if purchased in advance and $60 each at the

door. To get your tickets, go to www.501auctions.com/

stedwardgala.

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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

GENERAL PARISH INFORMATION

PARISH STAFF

Pastor: Rev. Gerald L. Seiler, Jr.

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Kevin T. DeLerno

Deacons: Steven J. Koehler

Gerard J. Fasullo, Sr. (Retired)

Acolyte: Timothy G. Meaut

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

Director of Religious Ed.: Trevor 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., Mondays through Fridays at

5 p.m., and by appointment.

PARISH PRAYER LINE

For special prayer requests, call the Parish Office at 888-0703.

BAPTISMS

Generally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m.

Call the Parish Office to make arrangements two months in advance of

the anticipated birth or adoption. Parents and godparents must attend a

Baptismal Seminar, usually scheduled at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday

of the month.

WEDDINGS

Arrangements are to be made with one of the priests at least six

months in advance.

FUNERALS

Please notify a priest as soon as possible when someone in the family

dies, preferably before contacting the funeral home.

NOVENA

Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help prayed after the 6 p.m. Mass

on Wednesdays.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the chapel.

COMMUNION AND CARE FOR THE SICK

Weekly visits are made to persons confined to the home. The

Sacrament of the Sick is available for all who are seriously ill or about

to undergo surgery. Please call the Parish Office for these special

services or in the case of emergency.

THE CONFESSOR

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

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

Looking ahead...STEAM’s

Annual Crawfish Cook-off will be on

Saturday, April 14, from 5-9 p.m. Join

them for crawfish, vegetables, soft drinks

and pizza. There will also be a Crawfish

Eating Contest, music and raffles. You must be

pre-paid to attend. Register and pay online at

www.STEAMEvents.org. For more information, or

to enter a team into the Cook-Off, please contact the

chairmen of this event, Rob Helmke or Robert

LeNormand (robert.lenormand@gmail.com).

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS On Friday, March 2, the KCs will be selling 32 ounce

containers of Shrimp Etouffée including rice beginning

at 3 p.m. under the pavilion. The price is only $15 (cash

and carry). Why cook or dine out when you can pick up

quality food supplied by Ralph’s Market and the KC’s to

eat in the comfort of your own home. Come early—we

will sell out!!

Raffle tickets are still available! The

proceeds will provide service dogs and

other therapeutic services to local

combat veterans with PTSD. Tickets are

$25 each. The drawing will be on

March 20. First prize is a one week stay at a 3-bedroom

condo on Okaloosa Island; second prize is 4 nights in a

1 bedroom condo in Sandestin. To donate, purchase

tickets, or for more information, contact Jason Branch at

jbranch_04@yahoo.com.

Have A

Most Blessed Easter!

Fr. Seiler, Fr. Kevin

and Staff