Father Ed Lauden

(June 18, 2009, Monthly Fellowship Meeting) Paying a surprise visit to the Men of Manresa was Father Ed Lauden, our parochial vicar who was transferred to St. Joan of Arc parish a year ago. Everybody was eager to say hello to the beloved priest, and to wish him well.

Men of Manresa will truly miss Father Ed Lauden

The Lamb, July 2008


Father Ed Lauden has been reassigned to St. Joan of Arc Parish, effective July 1. It was therefore both very joyous and somewhat sad to have him with us for what would likely be his last meeting with the Men of Manresa before moving to LaPlace.

 

It was very special to pray the rosary with Father Ed (LEFT) and to listen to his homily about prayer and forgiveness (RIGHT). We look up to him as an example of humility and devotion, dedicating his life to God.

Three years ago when the man we first knew as “Mr. Ed”, then “Deacon Ed” was ordained to the holy priesthood, he became “Father Ed”. Since that time Rev. Ed Lauden has been our devoted liturgist, our compassionate confessor, our intriguing homilist, and our dear friend in all we do. He has celebrated with us births and baptisms, he has guided us through contradictions of secular society and faith, and he has consoled us in the loss of our loved ones. He has encouraged and supported the Men of Manresa and all St. Charles Borromeo ministries and parishioners without limit.

Therefore, when Father Ed celebrated Holy Mass with the SCB Men of Manresa at their monthly fellowship meeting on June 19, it was an extra special occasion. Still two weeks before his scheduled departure for the bright lights of LaPlace, we knew this would likely be our last meeting together.

As he broke open the Gospel [MT 6:7-15] in his homily, Father Ed spoke about the importance of prayer and forgiveness. He said that “prayer should be an acknowledgment of who God is” and that “forgiveness is absolutely necessary.” With special emphasis on the Lord’s Prayer, he encouraged the group not to “just rattle off words when you pray” but to “visualize what they mean.”

When Mass was over, Father Ed stayed to pray the Rosary with the men in the day chapel. Intentions for our meditative prayer were for recently deceased members Larry Voelkel and Cliff Roussel; in thanksgiving for Mule Pollet, Mackie Waguespack and Earl Rodrigue; and for Leon Kanicka, Ralph St. Ament, Larry Wagner and others.

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER

The Lamb, July 2005

The newly ordained Rev. Edward Lauden begins his first Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church leading parishioners in the sign of the cross.

Rev. Ed Lauden answers God's call

Just about a year ago, Mr. Ed Lauden joined our parish to contemplate and otherwise prepare for the priesthood.

Several months later, he was ordained to the deaconate and became known as “Deacon Ed.”

Then on the glorious day of Saturday, June 4, he was ordained at St. Louis Cathedral to the holy priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church and is now “Father Ed.”

The following day, he celebrated his first Mass at St. Charles Borromeo and was honored at a reception afterwards.

See related articles below.

Parishioners turn out in scores for Father Ed’s ordination

The Lamb, July 2005

Holy Orders - (Top) In his final moments as a deacon, Ed Lauden prepares to leave the St. Charles Borromeo campus for his ordination to the holy priesthood. Many parishioners formed carpools and caravans and (above) soon lined the pews of St. Louis Cathedral for this blessed event. Naturally, no photos were allowed during the beautiful ordination Mass. .
On the warm and brilliant morning of Saturday, June 4, five men were ordained to the priesthood at St. Louis Cathedral. The ordinands were

Steven Victor Bruno
Joseph Emile Cazenavette
Edward Lauden
Michael Joseph Mitchell
Peter Alfred Tomczak

Of special interest to parishioners of St. Charles Parish was the ordination of our own Ed Lauden, now and forever to be “Father Ed.”

For over a year now we have grown in spirit with Father Ed as he prepared for the holy priesthood. All the while, we have shared our joys and losses, our challenges and our celebrations. He has been there for Father Harry, for the Men of Manresa, and for all SCB parishioners when he was needed the most. It was no wonder then that our parishioners turned out in scores for his ordination to offer their prayers and support for this man of God. Everywhere in the cathedral were joy-filled faces from St. Charles Borromeo Parish.

In his homily at the ordination Mass, Archbishop Hughes borrowed from Dickens to make a point. “It is the best of times, it is the worst of times to become a priest.” Elaborating, he outlined the worst of times, the many challenges that come to God’s servants, and the best of times, the great need to continue the work of Christ on earth. Among so many beautiful sentiments he expressed that day, as the archbishop prayerfully addressed each new priest, he instructed each man individually to “Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mysteries of the Lord’s cross.” It was a profound moment, a beautiful ceremony, an awesome sacrament, and great new beginning for these new priests.

In the time leading up to his ordination, Father (then Deacon) Ed counted the months, then the days, then the hours until he would be ordained. As parishioners expressed their sincere concern and asked what they could do for him, he replied “Just pray for me, that’s all I need.” Invariably, he would add, “I’m so fortunate to be a part of this parish. I love this place. There’s something very special about it.”

Even more so, this parish is very fortunate that Father Ed has been a part of it. So at the end of the ordination Mass, when Archbishop Hughes unsealed what he called “the secret envelope” and announced that Father Ed would be assigned to St. Charles Borromeo parish, we were overcome with emotion and wanted to shout for joy. (In fact, at least one person did!)

What a wonderful gift that God has given to Father Ed, and to us! Echoing the words of Archbishop Hughes, “This is a great thing to happen.” Chuckling, the archbishop warned the newly ordained, “This may be the last time that you will receive such positive publicity.” We commend Father Ed for listening to God’s call and not allowing all the negative attention to get in the way that leads to our Lord.

With renewed vigor, we once again welcome God’s servant to our church, and we we thank God for leading him here.

Father Ed’s first Mass at SCB an answer to our prayers

The Lamb, July 2005

(ABOVE) Father Ed Lauden delivers his first grace-filled homily as a priest at SCB. (BELOW) At a reception in his honor following Mass, he shares God’s blessing with parishioners, accepts an offer of Christ-filled love and gratitude, introduces his mother, greets an enthusiastic young parishioner, and poses with “the De la Salle connection” - a group of friends who all have direct connections back to his teaching days at De la Salle High School in New Orleans.

Rev. Ed Lauden answers God's call

We pray and pray for vocations to the religious life. So when Father Ed Lauden celebrated his first Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church, we knew our prayers had been answered by God in a very special way.

On the day after Father Ed received the sacrament of Holy Orders, his family, friends and parishioners from the many parishes he has served filled St. Charles Borromeo Church to capacity. Inspired, confident and beaming with joy only the Spirit can give, he took his place on the altar and began with an expression of thanks and joy. The congregation responded with enthusiastic applause.

While Father Ed was a deacon, we had become accustomed to his wonderful homilies reflecting the Good News in his every word. This day, his homily did all that and so much more. He spoke of a supposedly inane question that he had previously asked some young school children: “Where do priests come from?”

With great substance, insight and candor he shared his reply: “Priests don’t come from outer space. They are normal people like you and me.” Then he began to enumerate some of the things that had led this “ordinary” man to this very extraordinary calling.

He spoke of the importance of our prayers, which had been answered. He spoke of the influence of his wife who had died six years earlier: “Without her, I would not be standing here right now.” He detailed the impact his mother and his late father have had, as well as other family members he is obviously so very close to.

Soon after the homily, the attention of the congregation was reverently riveted to the consecration. As Father Ed raised the sacred host, time stood still and many of those present were brought back to when Christ instructed his disciples at the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Seeing this new shepherd before us, we were also directed to Jesus’ words "as the Father has sent me, I also send you" and “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”

After Mass, a reception in the Fred Roth Center honored this man of God and offered parishioners an opportunity to thank him - and thank God - for answering our prayers.

 Clarion Herald - February 9, 2005 - "Called to serve"

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