Our Pastor's Weekly Letter
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BULLETIN ARTICLE - FATHER CARL'S CORNER - JUNE 14, 2026
June is the time of transitions for priests moving to new assignments. I share this information with both our faith communities for all to be aware.
After six years of dedicated service to the Ascension and Saint Edmund community, Father Rex will be leaving us. He will take some time out to deal with some health issues before taking his next steps for a new assignment. It is not unusual under certain circumstances for a priest to take some time and discern what comes next in his ministry and life. We lift Father Rex up in prayer, and I respect his decision and privacy. I hope you will as well. Father Rex will continue to serve in the community until the end of June.
At the same time, we welcome Father Michael Novick, who will serve as Pastoral Moderator at Ascension and Saint Edmund Parish beginning July 1. Ordained 25 years, Father Mike, as he is known, brings years of experience and pastoral care to the community and I look forward to being his partner in ministry. From all that I have heard, Father Mike has a deep love for parish ministry, and a caring spirit that he looks forward to sharing with the Catholic Community of Oak Park. In the weeks ahead, Father Mike will have an opportunity to introduce himself and become acquainted with his new parish family.
On another note, those who know Father Tom Unz, living and serving the Saint Catherine of Siena-Saint Lucy and Saint Giles community as well as helping at Saint Edmund on Monday mornings, will be glad to know he is doing better in rehab. Father Tom had a car accident a couple of weeks ago and fractured his sternum. He has had a lot of pain and healing is slow but there is steady progress. He will be out of commission for the rest of June, at least.
Proverbs 3:5-6 offers us a great spiritual outlook in times of transitions. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
All are invited to the beginning summer concert in the courtyard at Saint Giles campus next Friday June 19, at 7:30 PM. Bring a chair and a treat and enjoy the Date Night Band with some great Motown hits!
Have a great and safe week ahead.
With you a Christian, for you, a priest.
Father Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish
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Previous Pastor's Weekly Letter
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June 7
Today’s Feast of Corpus Christ and our last two major liturgical celebrations, The Holy Trinity and Pentecost, have been celebrated at a providential time as our parishes continue the journey of unification and renewal... At Pentecost, the disciples gathered together facing an uncertain future... The Feast of the Holy Trinity, celebrated just last week, reminds us that God’s very nature is communion... That brings us to today’s Feast of Corpus Christi celebrating Christ’s enduring presence among us in the Eucharist...Read More -
May 31
It is that time of year, GRADUATION! Graduation is more than the completion of a school year or the receiving of a diploma... I especially want to commend the 8th graders of Saint Catherine-Saint Lucy School and Saint Giles School, and Ascension School... While graduation celebrates achievements, it also reminds us that none of us walk alone... There will be moments of excitement and moments of uncertainty ahead. In both, may they trust God walks with them...Read More
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May 24
Happy Feast of Pentecost... The Ascension was not about Jesus leaving; it is about Christ gathering people into something greater. (This is also what happens at Pentecost.) We must remember the Church was never meant to be built around one building or one way of doing things. The Church, and we are the Church, is built around the Risen Jesus Christ. And when we keep Christ at the center, then we are never truly divided.... We are the Body of Christ... ONE BREAD, ONE CUP, ONE LORD...Read More
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May 17
Today, the Church celebrates the Ascension of Jesus, reminding us that while Jesus returned to the Father, He did not abandon His disciples. Before ascending, He gave them a mission, a promise, and a hope: “I am with you always.” I want us all to remember those words still guide us as Church today... Today, I encourage us all, in the reality of our new parish unifications, to accept and support how Christ entrusts his mission to us...Read More
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