Fr. Chuck Edwards Returning to Area

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield announced the appointment of the Reverend Charles A. Edwards as Parochial Administrator to the Effingham area parishes of St. Anthony of Padua in Effingham and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shumway.

Fr. “Chuck” Edwards also currently serves the Diocese of Springfield as the Director for the Office for Stewardship and Discipleship.  He will transition this Director role over the next six months as he assumes full pastoral responsibilities for both St. Anthony and St. Mary parishes.

A native from Gillespie, Illinois, Fr. Chuck was ordained as a priest in 1986, and served as parish priest of St. Anthony from 1987 - 1989. He has also served as priest and pastor for parishes in Quincy, Springfield and Highland, Illinois. Throughout his previous pastoral assignments, Fr. Chuck has also been a religion teacher, director of adult christian formation and catholic school programs.

“I’m excited to return to the Effingham area. One of my goals in ministry is to create a discipleship with the people of God so we will want nothing more than to truly be disciples of God. Discipleship is a way of life, an important way of life. It is how God is calling all of us to live,” shares Fr. Chuck.

In his new role, Fr. Chuck will be partnering with fellow area priests, Fr. Ron Lorilla, current priest for St. Anthony and St. Mary parishes, and Fr. Michael Rosa, pastor of Sacred Heart Church and school Chaplin at St. Anthony High School.

St. Anthony of Padua Church is a Catholic parish established in 1858 by 40 families. Today, St. Anthony of Padua Church is home to more than 1200 parish families and supports two Catholic schools, St. Anthony Grade School, a Pre-K through 8 grade school, and St. Anthony High School. To learn more about St. Anthony of Padua Church, visit www.stanthony.com.