Beginning in October and going through May, on the second Saturday of each of those months our Saturday evening 5:00 PM Mass will be celebrated at our Ascension Church site... Accommodating this is simply a gesture of goodwill and a bridge builder to honor many who have made the transition to St. Edmund but who also have a desire to worship now and then on a Saturday night at Ascension Church, which before unification was their Mass preference...

This weekend marks the beginning of the 100th anniversary celebration of Saint Giles Church and Campus... From the rich histories and traditions of Saint Edmund, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Lucy, Ascension, and Saint Giles, two new communities have emerged. That does not mean that the histories of our individual parishes disappear. Quite the opposite. WE CARRY THAT HISTORY WITH US... The story is not ending. New chapters are beginning, and we are blessed to be writing them together...

At a recent trip to the Broadview Processing (previously Detention Center) a battle-ready combat vehicle was observed entering the building. It made this writer consider what my battle-ready vehicle would look like... It would be a wagon containing the following: T-shirts with slogans like “Mercy for Justice” or “God has cast down the mighty and has lifted up the lowly”, lots of rosaries, at least one Bible and prayer books,... I don’t know who will win the battle, but I believe long-term in our chances...

Saturday, September 19 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Explore the history, culture, and legacy of Austin on a luxury coach bus tour led by Emmy award-winning historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas... Enjoy a two-hour guided tour followed by a catered luncheon featuring Austin community leaders... Bring a spouse or friend! Your participation supports The Neighborhood Bridge’s mission...

Are you thinking how you can grow in your faith and share your faith? It is important to be sharing and supporting the teachings of the Catholic faith, and in the power of faith, bring purpose, strength, and hope no matter where we are in life. We need catechists to work with our children from toddlers through high school. You can choose the age group and program that best fits your interests!...

Spirit and Light has been busy getting ready for the new Religious Education year... We have had a Spirit and Light Board retreat, a team-building for the Spirit and Light Team, and the Family Fun Fest. While on the surface, these kinds of gathering may seem frivolous and a waste of time, in actuality they are essential... Perhaps we can all further the endeavor of building community and get to know the people we go to church with. Who is it that sits in the row in front of me or behind me? Who is the new person that I have not seen before?...

CRS and Caritas Venezuela are working to provide earthquake-affected families with critical aid... Together, CRS and Caritas Venezuela are working to quickly identify urgent needs, coordinate with humanitarian partners and deliver lifesaving assistance to the communities hardest hit by the earthquakes. We are already working to improve food security, nutrition, livelihoods and water systems in vulnerable communities across the country. PLEASE SUPPORT - DONATE!

The Ascension and Saint Edmund Community will welcome Father Michael (Mike) Novick this weekend (July 4-5, 2026) as Moderator of Pastoral Care for the community. He will assist our Pastor, Father Carl Morello, as needed, and celebrate Mass on Sunday evenings for the Catholic Communities of Oak Park... On behalf of all of us, WELCOME Father Mike!... Father Mike's Message...

We warmly welcome Dr. Thomas Wade Jefferson as the Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish. He will build upon the ministry and liturgy that Sue Kaszynski put in place. Thomas Jefferson was our guest music director at the annual African American Heritage Celebration as well as at the Vigil of Pentecost... Thomas will begin his ministry at the weekend Masses on July 18-19...

The St. Catherine - St. Lucy (SCSL) hiring committee is thrilled to announce a familiar face as our new leader: Ms. Kelly Archambault has officially been named Principal! Big Shoulders, the Office of Catholic Schools, and the SCSL hiring committee have confidence in Kelly and believe she is the best candidate for the role... Please join us in giving a warm "welcome back" to Mrs. Archambault in her new role...

Could you recommend someone? - "Ascension and St. Edmund" and "St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles" Parishes are seeking recommendations for potential Parish Pastoral Council members... You can recommend someone you know or yourself. Those who are recommended will be contacted to answer any questions. An information session will be held in early May for those who have been recommended...

The Village of Oak Park will be making significant improvements to Oak Park Avenue, around St. Edmund Church.  This project will affect Oak Park Avenue, between Randolph Street and Ontario Street. The project is scheduled to run until November 2026. At times, the street will be closed and not accessible to parking. The St. Edmund parking lot will remain open...

PDF File - Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., archbishop of Newark issued a strongly statement measuring U.S. foreign policy against the principles set forth by Pope Leo XIV in his Jan. 9, 2026 address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited the Holy See...

Our two Parish Creation Care Ministries in Oak Park, H.O.M.E. (Ascension and St. Edmund) and Vine and Branches (St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles), offer the following suggestions to make your Holiday Season an Eco-Sustainable Christmas that will minimize its environmental impact through conscious choices in decorations, gifts, and food...

This weekend (December 13, 2025), we remember one of the Patron Saints of our newly combined parish family, St. Catherine of Siena-ST. LUCY and St. Giles, of our Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors... Let us remember St. Lucy this weekend and ask her to pray for us that we may carry Christ’s light with courage, walk with clear vison, and be a source of hope for one another...

The bishops address their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States... Los obispos expresan su preocupación por la situación cambiante que afecta a los inmigrantes en Estados Unidos...

Statement of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, on the Moral Imperative to Uphold Both Security and Human Dignity - Declaración del Cardenal Blase J. Cupich, Arzobispo de Chicago, sobre el Imperativo Moral de mantener tanto la Seguridad como la Dignidad Humana

We congratulate two of our schools – Ascension School and St. Giles School – on their individual achievements in the National and Governor's Blue Ribbon School of Excellence program... We are blessed to have three vibrant Catholic schools that each deliver a nurturing, faith-filled educational experience to its students...

A Companion Sponsor for OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a parishioner who would like to accompany a person who is preparing to receive the sacraments... Companion Sponsors will receive training prior to being paired with an individual and will continue to be supported while they work with a person...

We are accepting RE Registrations for the Year 2025-2026 - We are excited to begin another year of faith formation and spiritual growth! Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, we look forward to guiding your child on their journey of faith...