Support and Concern: St. Edmund Faith Community Oak Park, IL

Please repair this amazing church!

Both the Church and the school are architectural treasures. I remember sitting in a different section every week to enjoy the windows, ceilings and Stations of the Cross.

This church and school need to be saved!

More transparency for/to parishioners of St. Edmund’s as well as equal representation in decision-making regarding parish assets, moving forward.

Like many families in the 1960s through the 70s & 80s. I was One of 6 children. A small family in our parish & school the oldest of 6 children that went to St. Edmund School & Parish from kindergarten through 8th grade as did my 5 younger siblings. I will forever be thankful to my parents on the choice of giving me a catholic education & faith in religion at St. Church. I’ll remember all of the people that Ive known from kindergarten through 8th grade and also at Trinity HS. I currently have the blessing of being connected with most of the people I’ve known & their families since September of 1967 when I began kindergarten at St. Edmund School. 55 years ago.

My family has been active in the St Edmund community since 1924 when they first arrived in Oak Park. Don’t destroy this treasure. Please rebuild and restore this important landmark.

I was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois. My family lived on the 300 block of Scoville. My mother, uncle, and my two brothers all went to Saint Edmunds school and attended church every weekend and Catholic holiday. Both myself, and my parents were married at Saint Edmunds church, and both sets of my grandparents and my parents funerals were there. I can’t imagine an Oak Park without a Saint Edmund church please reconsider. Sincerely, Margaret I Mollins (Cummings) And the Samuel P. Lancaster family.

Need to use Murphy hall, and McGovern center.

3 years ago Featured

Married there, three kids, baptised, confirmed, first communion, and went to K-8 school there. The historical value alone should allow it to be repaired.

It is truly a shame that Ascension-St. Edmund parish has not been given a fair opportunity to "renew" as a united parish without continual interference from a neighboring parish. Ascension-St. Edmund was intended to unite as a single parish. The four churches of Oak Park are NOT joined as a single parish. Parishioners are leaving and it is hard to "evangelize" others to a situation of lack of voice and untimely information. Really unfortunate.

Get ‘er done!

So, what on earth were roofers doing there yesterday up on the roof if no work can be done till the end of July after receiving 3 bids like the letter in the email said? The storm happened over 2 months ago. I am suspicious of this long delay when nothing is happening. A friend from Giles sent me the letter last night – why they find out about Edmunds before we do is perplexing.

I believe that both parishes should have input on all the decisions affecting them.

After reading the petition it seems to me that this delay in repairing St. Edmund’s in a timely fashion is just bureaucracy crap and callousness because of a power struggle! This church is a treasure and should have been repaired right after the storm hit on April 4th! This church belongs to the faith community of St. Edmund’s and they have a right to be involved in all decisions that need to be made!

3 years ago Featured

As a homeowner, I am appalled that the Archdiocese of Chicago didn’t take quicker action to get St. Edmund’s repaired. As I drove past the church today, I finally saw some signs of activity with people on the roof making repairs! Keep going and don’t stop until all repairs have been completed and this beautiful Church can welcome its parishioners back!

St. Edmund’s and George’s Restaurant have been long time friends in Oak Park Avenue! We have supported each other through the years and with St. Edmund’s closed due to storm damage from April 4th, our business has been affected! The people in charge need to get this Church reopened for both of our futures!

Thanks for doing this. But we are afraid that you are fighting a bureaucracy…big business that used to exist as a religion that met our spiritual needs.

As a parishioner of 55 years I am sickened by the way st. Edmund and its parishioners are being treated. I completely support the petition and agree with all comments. Pope Francis has included more lay people in decision making . Why cannot the archdiocese and local pastors see that inclusion is a necessity in these times ?This is a major reason why people have been leaving the Catholic Church ,here and everywhere.

At least a "show" of communication and consultation would go a long way to soothe the feelings of those not really thrilled with the way the Catholic Church has always steamrolled decisions . At least make an effort to look like it is a community decision

3 years ago Featured

I have been a member of the St. Edmund's parish for all 26 years of my life so far, and its vibrant and welcoming community is something near and dear to me. I am disappointed to see how distant the new leadership feels from the parishioners, and I hope more than anything that that distance can be crossed and a healthy, transparent dialogue can begin.