One night, not so long ago, I was praying and asked to know where I was not one with God.  The next day, a knock at my door and for the next hour, I found out where I was not one with God!  Be careful of what you pray for!

We find it easy to speak to people when we have pleasant things to say and they are obviously glad to hear them.  On the other hand, we tend to shy away from delivering words of confrontation, criticism, challenge.  Neither do we ourselves like to hear such negative remarks. Yet at the same time, we realize that growth often results from what we really do not want to hear.

Our Gospel today challenges us to stand pat on the truth of God’s word even to stake our life on it.   While the Gospel is always Good News, it is not always comfortable, because it stretches us beyond where we are right now. Our response can be amazement or fury, welcoming Jesus or expelling him from our midst, growing in discipleship or stagnating in narrowness.

If the chatter at work grows uncharitable or coarse, do we have the courage to walk away?  If prejudice exists among our friends and acquaintances do we have the courage to extol the dignity of the minority? Do we have the courage to place Gospel values before any others and are we willing to stake our lives on them?

The real challenge comes when we are nudged to live the Gospel. What determines your response?

With the Church’s observance of Ash Wednesday 17 February 2010, Lent begins. This holy season is a  time to rediscover the Lord and live like Him more consciously.

In these forty days, marked by traditional penitential practices, we are challenged to turn away from sin.  We are called to commit ourselves anew  to live the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Turning from sin and toward the Lord is the best preparation for Easter’s joy.

To begin our Lenten journey we will once again hold a Lenten Mission the first week of Lent.  This year our mission will be held on February 21-23, 2010.  Jim Merhaut will facilitate our prayer and reflection.

Click here for more information.

Some of our favorite places

Reflection on Sunday Readings

Sacred Space

The Vatican

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Ursuline Sisters of  Youngstown

Sisters of the Humilty of Mary

USCCB Marriage Page – For  Your Marriage

Claretian’s Family Page

Paulist’s Young Adult Page

Amnesty International

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catholic News Service

Diocese of Youngstown

National Catholic Reporter

Network: A Catholic Social Justice Lobby

New American Bible

Painted Prayerbook

Pax Christi

Reflection on Daily Readings

Someone once said, “If you are not standing on the edge, you are taking up too much room.”

As a committed Catholic, how am I called to stand on the edge in our culture today? Do I have the courage to speak up when I know someone of another culture is being maligned? Do I speak up for the disadvantaged when I am in a crowd who thinks the complete opposite? To what edge am I being called? To what edge are you called?

Here is the place where you can ask those questions you wouldn’t dare ask in person.  We will start the conversation with this question:  How does one become a chaplain for the police department? Do you know the process?  There is someone in our parish who can help us with the answer.  If you know share your answer here.

Click here for the January update from the Youth Ministry Office.

St. Edward Youth are again participating in a tradition started more than 20 years ago. This year, we will be donating all collected monies to Beatitude House, our 2010 Souper Bowl of Caring charity of choice. Please be on watch for members of the Youth Ministry holding large soup pots as you exist Mass on the weekends of January 31st & February 7th. When you see them, be sure to be generous in your contribution to support this wonderful local charity, Beatitude House, through this nationwide caring event. God bless you!

I came upon this video last week. It is a simple yet powerful reflection. I hope it helps you in your daily reflection

In January, when we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we always see a clip of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Each time I see that clip, I am moved and challenged by what he said. The power of his words comes from the integrity of what he said, how he lived, and what he called us to. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a model for us of a response by word and deed to the challenge Jesus gives us in today’s Gospel.

Jesus proclaims a reading from the prophet Isaiah to the people in the Nazareth synagogue. The hearers must have heard, for after Jesus’ proclamation, they looked intently at him. What were they expecting? An explanation of what they heard? Yes,  but Jesus moves them beyond the mere words to an encounter of him as the Word of God made flesh.  The people of Nazareth, heard God’s word and encountered God’s word in the very person of Jesus.

In Jesus, the Word is action fulfilled, for in him God’s plan of love is enfleshed in his care and compassion for the poor, the captives, the blind, the oppressed – anyone who came to him.

Now we – our own lives- announce the meaning of the word proclaimed and enfleshed. The poor we encounter today include not only those who lack material necessities but also those without inner satisfaction. The imprisoned are not only those in cells but also those imprisoned by their fears. The blind are not only those who cannot physically see but are those who fail to see their human dignity.

Like Jesus, we are sent to bring glad tidings to all we encounter, not simply by uttering words but by actions that change the world around us.

Welcome to the new Saint Edward Parish web site.  

It is our hope that the information provided gives you a glimpse into to wonderful Catholic community we call home. Our parish is dedicated to serving the people of the Northside in Youngstown Ohio. All of our services, ministries, organizations and groups are dedicated to building up a community of faith where love of God and service to others prevail.