Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Obituary for Sister Susan Louise

October 17, 2023 St Mary Fred

Sister Susan Louise Eder, OSFS, born Susan Rose Eder, age 69, entered eternal life on Friday, October 13, 2023. She was born in Elkton, Maryland on September 30, 1954, the daughter of the late James and Nancy (Beamer) Eder.

Sister professed vows as an Oblate Sister of St. Francis de Sales in 1974. Following profession, Sister began her educational career as a teacher and administrator. Sister’s long teaching ministry included Mount Aviat Academy (Childs), St. Anthony of Padua (Wilmington), and St. Bernadette School (Drexel Hill).

In 1998 Sister became the founding principal of Holy Cross Academy, Fredericksburg, VA. Under Sister’s leadership that spanned 21 years, the school earned Accreditation and was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a Virginia Distinguished Purple Star School. In 2019 Sister began her service as principal at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Towson, MD.

Sister saw beauty in the world around her and in the majesty of her God. Sister fulfilled her greatest joy, passionately living her Oblate vocation espoused to Christ and sharing the spirit of her spiritual Founders. Collaborating with clergy, faculty, and staff, she eagerly shared her Salesian vision for the intellectual and spiritual growth of each one, as well as the children they were called to serve. Determined and resolute in her vision to create a school atmosphere with singular focus, she lived and shared her goal with unwavering joy: “It’s About the Children.”

This joy extended outside the classroom as she shared the Salesian spirituality of gentleness and compassion while living each moment in the presence of God. Sister was an active member of the North American Salesian Network, and a frequent presenter, mentor, and author on Salesian Spirituality. Her life of peace and gentleness was an example that guided many to walk more deeply in their faith and to come to know their God.

Sr. Susan Louise is predeceased by her parents Nancy and Jim Eder, her sister, Elizabeth, brother, Phillip, and her stepmother, Margie. She is survived by her brother Rusty (Joan), sisters, Sr. Anne Elizabeth, OSFS, Sr. Frances Carol, OSFS, Judy Pinder (Terry), and her nieces and nephews: Paul, Gail, Mary, Katherine, Arnold, Anna, Rebecca, and Thomas and many cousins and great nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 20 at 12:00 PM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 8501 Loch Raven Blvd., Towson, MD. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.

A memorial Mass will be held in St. Joseph Hall on the grounds of the Oblate Sisters, 399 Childs Road, Childs, MD 21916, Saturday, October 21. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM. The Christian committal will follow Mass in the Oblate Sisters’ Cemetery, Childs, MD.

Please Omit Flowers – In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:

Donations in memory of Sr. Susan Louise may be made to: Oblate Sisters 399 Childs Road, Childs, MD 21916

http://weblink.donorperfect.com/SisterSusanLouise

Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 8501 Loch Raven Blvd., Towson, MD 21286

Memorial Mass for Sr. Susan Louise at St Mary

October 16, 2023 St Mary Fred

St Mary will have a memorial Mass on Friday, October 20, at 6pm for the repose of the soul of Sr. Susan Louise Eder for all those who cannot attend the funeral in Towson, Maryland on Friday or the Memorial Mass in Childs, Maryland on Saturday. All are invited to attend and pray for Sister Susan Louise.

Funeral Arrangements for Sr. Susan Louise

October 15, 2023 St Mary Fred

From the Oblate Sisters:

With deep sadness, the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales ask for your prayers at the unexpected death of Sr. Susan Louise Eder, OSFS, following a complication related to treatment for cancer. Please join in prayer for the repose of Sister’s soul and for the many family and friends who mourn her loss.

Friday, October 20, 2023

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish

8501 Loch Raven Blvd.

Baltimore, MD 21286

https://www.ihmchurchmd.org/

10:00 am Visitation

12:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial

Luncheon following Mass in the school gymnasium.

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales

399 Childs Road

Childs, MD 21916

9:30 am Visitation in St. Joseph Hall

11:00 am Memorial Mass

Burial in the Oblate Sisters Cemetery

Luncheon following burial in St. Joseph Hall.

An obituary will be available online at Hicks Home for Funerals, Elkton, MD.

https://www.hickshomeforfunerals.com/obits

From Our Pastor

October 14, 2023 St Mary Fred

Folks,

The Lord hears the cry of the poor. — Psalm 34

I type this Tuesday evening from retreat. And from a place too of distraction as the horrific bloodshed in the middle east compels me to look at twitter to see if the world is spiraling to destruction. I know priests, including Fr. Lundberg, who are still in the Holy Land as of mid-week, students from Franciscan University, and have seen many reports of innocent people who are suffering the destruction of evil.

At a loss for words, I share with you our Bishop’s statement following declaration of war by Israel:

I ask the faithful in the Diocese of Arlington and all people of good will to join in prayer for peace following
a terrorist attack in Israel. Our hearts are shocked and saddened by the death of hundreds of people, and thousands more who are wounded or dispersed already. It is my hope and prayer that the international community will work together to help ensure a peaceful and just resolution for the good of all. At this time, we also pray that the victims and their families find strength and support. May we join with one voice in asking God to grant eternal rest to the deceased, console those who grieve, and guide political leaders to bring an end to the war without further violence.

— Most Reverend Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington.

Very early in seminary life, I learned that sometimes my presence and prayers were all that mattered. Where I desperately wanted to find words to give meaning, I was confounded into silence in the face of the mystery of suffering. Presence matters, because love matters, and it is love that conquers death.

Back to the tabernacle for me. There are souls to pray for, and in His providence, the Lord had set aside this week for me to pray. I will see you this weekend.

pax,

Father John Mosimann