Serving the faithful of the Parishes and Missions of the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach
Rest in Peace Father MIchael Edwards
Father Michael W. Edwards, age 75, of Vero Beach, Florida, went to be with his Lord & Savior, October 24, 2023.
Born November 28, 1947 at Niagara Falls, New York, he was a son of the late J. William Edwards, Jr. & Patricia Snyder Edwards.
A 1965 graduate of Bishop Duffy High School, Fr. Mike as he was affectionately known, sought to further his education receiving his Bachelor of Science from Niagara University in 1970 and again graduating in 1972 from the University of Pittsburgh Mortuary Sciences. He then proceeded to study theology, graduating from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York in 1978.
Ordained as a priest by the diocese of Buffalo, New York in 1979, Father Edwards served the church in many capacities over the years and continued to do so until his health dictated otherwise. Starting as an Associate Pastor at St. Andrews Parish in Kenmore, NY in 1979, with stops along the way at St. Martin’s Parish, Buffalo, NY. 1983, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Kenmore, NY. 1985, St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach, FL. 1989, Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. 1992, Mary Immaculate Church, West Palm Beach, FL. 1994, St, Juliana Church, West Palm Beach, FL. 1996, St. Peter Church, Jupiter, FL. 1997. He returned to serve as lead Pastor at St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach, FL from June of 1999 until his official retirement in July of 2016.
After “retirement”, he continued to be of service to the church and assist the diocese as the Episcopal Delegate for Senior Priests until August of 2021. He was also a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and The 100 Club.
In addition to his parents, Father Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel D. Edwards.
Father Edwards is survived by his loving family, brothers, Joseph W. Edwards and wife Patricia, Mark A. Edwards, and Brian J. Edwards and wife Mary Jo; Nieces, Erin E Simson (Keith Simson), Abigail L. Edwards (Steve Matthews), Allie Dell (Jason Seiler), Courtney Heigl (Joe Heigl); Nephews, J. William Edwards IV (Sara Edwards), James O. Edwards (Marissa Edwards), & Zachary E. Dell; and many other loving family & friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Helen Catholic Church, Thursday, November 9th, at 11:00 a.m. followed by Interment in Crestlawn Cemetery by Strunk Funeral Home.
Father Edwards will lie in repose from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 8th, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Helen Catholic Church, 2085 Tallahassee Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960; the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach at Diocesan Services Appeal 9995 N. Military Trail P.O. Box 109650 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-9650.
Arrangements by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL. A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com
The service at St. Helen will be lived streamed.
The link is: https://vimeo.com/event/3837266
Open Position
Cemetery Services Associate/ Gardener/Groundskeeper
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, located in Royal Palm Beach, FL is searching for a full time Cemetery Services Associate/Gardener/Groundskeeper.
The Diocese is dedicated to providing excellent working conditions with competitive compensation in order to attract and retain an outstanding workforce. The Diocese of Palm Beach offers a competitive benefits package to employee’s working 30 or more hours per work week consisting of comprehensive medical, vision, dental, LTD, group life insurance, optional life insurance. The diocese also provides a 403(b)-retirement plan to all employees. Information on our benefits and retirement programs can be found here.
Monthly Mind Mass
Come attend Our Monthly Mind Mass.
These Masses are held on second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the outdoor chapel.
We hold monthly Masses for those laid to rest during the previous month, all of the deceased at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, and all of the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Our staff are praying for every family we serve.
May their Memories be eternal!
Please note: Our cemetery will be open for visitation on these days from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm.
The care with which we bury the dead expresses our faith in the victory over everlasting death, which Our Lord Jesus Christ has won in our human nature by His own Death and Resurrection.
– Christian Burial Guidelines –
Our Lady Queen of Peace offers many alternatives for cremation and full-body interment and memorialization in keeping with the sacred beliefs and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Options Include: Private Estates, Gravesites, Mausoleum Crypts and Cremation Niches, Monuments, Urns, Vaults, and many custom memorial options.
Memorialization in a Catholic cemetery
“As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.”
– Leonardo da Vinci –
It is our ministerial goal to guide you through what can be a confusing and difficult process. We work to provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind, by assisting you in careful and informed decision making and planning.
This goal is best achieved through pre-planning, rather than at the time of need when financial and practical decision-making may be overshadowed by the realities of grief and urgency.
Please contact our office at (561) 793-0711 and ask to speak with any of our Family Service Advisors.
Consecrated Grounds
The Sacred Grounds of our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery were Consecrated in 1974 by Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll of Miami. In 1984, This Cemetery became part of the new Diocese of Palm Beach.
Our team strives daily to maintain a peaceful and prayerful atmosphere as a visible symbol of our faith in Jesus Christ and our hope of resurrection.
“There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.”
– Ecclesiastes 3 1: 2
