A Parish on River Road
Saint Edward Catholic Church stands along River Road North in Keizer, Oregon, just a few minutes north of Salem. The parish has been part of the Keizer community since 1968, and the recently completed church building now anchors a campus that includes a parish hall, an Adoration Chapel, gardens tended by volunteers, and a new Parish Community Center currently taking shape. Across the street, the parish has long-standing ties to Avamere, where Communion is celebrated on the first Friday of each month for residents who cannot easily make it to Mass.
Saint Edward belongs to the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon and follows the Roman Rite. Its mission statement is short and direct: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, and nourished by Word and Sacrament, we proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, we build a prayerful community of believers where all are welcome, and we become witnesses to God's saving love through our outreach to others. That threefold call to proclaim, welcome, and serve shapes the rhythm of the parish week, from Saturday Vigil Mass to the bilingual sacramental preparation happening in classrooms and kitchens throughout the building.
Mass Times and Reconciliation
Weekend Masses at Saint Edward are offered in both English and Spanish. The Saturday Vigil begins at 5:30 p.m. in English. On Sunday morning, an early Mass is celebrated at 8:15 a.m. and the family Mass at 10:30 a.m., and the afternoon brings a 12:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish. Weekday Masses are celebrated Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. and on Thursday and Friday at 12:05 p.m.; there is no Mass on Mondays.
The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., immediately before the Vigil. All Masses are livestreamed on YouTube, and a recording is made available for those who cannot attend in person.
A Bilingual Catholic Community
Saint Edward is unusual in the Archdiocese of Portland for the depth of its bilingual life. The Hispanic Ministry is coordinated by Jorge Navarro, supported by Lupe Alvarez in children's faith formation and Alejandra Navarro in the office. The parish celebrates all the sacraments in Spanish as well as English. Baptisms in Spanish follow a separate preparation process, weddings are prepared by Jorge Navarro for Spanish-speaking couples, and sacramental classes for First Communion and Confirmation are offered in both languages.
The parish phone line carries a recorded greeting in Spanish as well as English, with directions to press 2 for Spanish. Public transit to the parish is straightforward: Cherriots Route 9 and Route 19 both serve the area, providing options for visitors who do not drive.
Adoration Around the Clock
The Adoration Chapel at Saint Edward is open twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year. Parishioners and visitors can come at any hour to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. The chapel is one of the quiet centerpieces of the campus, and many hours are still in need of committed adorers so that someone is always present with the Lord.
The Sacraments
Saint Edward celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, and the parish devotes a great deal of attention to walking with people through them.
Baptism. The parish strongly urges parents not to delay infant baptism, citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Canon 867. English baptisms for children under seven are typically scheduled on the fourth Saturday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Parents and godparents are required to complete a preparation class, and godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics at least sixteen years old who meet the Church's full list of requirements. Older children and adults move into a longer process through OCIA or the children's catechumenate.
First Reconciliation and First Communion. Children in first through fifth grade prepare for these sacraments through the Children's Faith Formation program, with a two-year preparation required for older children. Classes are held on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:10 a.m. in the parish hall, and the cost per child is $30, capped at $170 per family. Sacramental preparation that includes baptism, Reconciliation, Communion, and Confirmation together runs $75 per child for the year.
Confirmation. Youth Confirmation is a two-year process with monthly classes in addition to regular faith formation. Adults seeking Confirmation meet with Pastoral Associate Brad Becker; the most recent adult preparation cycle gathers on Thursday evenings from January through May, with the actual Confirmation celebrated by Archbishop Sample at a date the Archdiocese sets.
Marriage. Couples meet first with the Pastoral Associate, with at least six months between the initial meeting and the wedding date. Brad Becker prepares English-speaking couples and Jorge Navarro prepares Spanish-speaking couples. The parish also welcomes couples seeking marriage convalidation and those beginning the annulment process.
Anointing of the Sick. The priest is called whenever a parishioner faces serious illness, hospice, or imminent death. The parish asks families not to wait until the last minute so that the sacrament can be celebrated with proper preparation.
Funerals. Families are asked to contact the parish office before arranging a date with a funeral home, so a priest, church, and parish hall can be reserved. A planning book, Through Death to Life, is provided at no charge to help families choose readings, prayers, and music. The parish has set fees for a celebrant, coordinator, cantor, musician, and optional livestream operator.
Becoming Catholic and Coming Home
Saint Edward runs an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program each year for adults interested in the Catholic faith. The sessions meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the parish hall, beginning in early September and running through the following May, with Sunday Mass attendance added to the calendar as the Easter Vigil approaches. Brad Becker, the Pastoral Associate, oversees OCIA, pairs inquirers with sponsors, and registers new participants.
For Catholics who have been away from the Church, the parish offers the Catholics Come Home series, a six-week welcome that runs one or two times a year. The parish also runs annulment counseling, prayer requests through the prayer chain, and a Coming Back to the Church welcome that simply says, We welcome you home!
Faith Formation for Children
The Children's Faith Formation program, coordinated by Joyce Sprouse, serves children from nursery age through fifth grade. Nursery, preschool, and kindergarten classes meet during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at no cost. Grades one through five meet between Masses in the parish hall from 9:00 to 10:10 a.m. and follow a $30 per child fee, capped at $170 per family. Volunteer hours can offset part of the cost.
Vacation Bible School is the largest single gathering for children each summer. The week runs Monday through Friday in mid-July, with drop-off between 8:35 and 8:45 a.m. and pickup at noon. Friday closes with the 12:05 p.m. weekday Mass followed by a children's singing program and a parish-provided lunch. Children from completed preschool through fifth grade can attend, and 6th graders through adults are invited to volunteer. The parish provides a training guide for adult volunteers, and all adults working with children must complete Archdiocesan background checks.
The parish also hosts American Heritage Girls Troop 1531 and the Federation of North American Explorers, Christ-centered character and outdoor programs for girls and boys that meet on the first and third Tuesday evenings at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Youth and Young Adults
Two youth groups, both coordinated by Christina Kosiewicz, form the core of middle and high school ministry. The Mid-High group meets on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall Youth Room, and the High School Youth Group meets on Sunday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Both groups run retreats, service opportunities, and sacramental preparation for youth in their second year. Fundraising includes a bottle and can drive that can be dropped off at the parish office or barn.
For young adults ages 18 to 39, Brad Becker coordinates a Bible Study on Tuesday evenings, a First Thursdays dinner with a Catholic speaker at McMenamin's Thompson Brewery and Public House in Salem, and a Young Adults Annual Retreat each January that draws more than sixty young adults from Oregon and southern Washington. Natural Family Planning classes are also promoted as part of young adult life, drawing on the Northwest Family Services and the Saint Paul VI Institute resources.
Adult Programs
Saint Edward offers a deep bench of adult groups. The Prayer Shawl Group, named the Blessed Prayer Shawl Group, meets on the third Friday of each month at 12:30 p.m. to knit and crochet shawls that are blessed and given to those in need of comfort. Happy Hearts, the parish social group for those over fifty-five, gathers on the second Friday of each month, beginning with the 12:05 p.m. Mass followed by lunch and a brief meeting. Knights of Columbus Council #10539, led locally, gathers on the third Tuesday of each month and is well known in Keizer for its pancake breakfasts. The Men's Fellowship Group meets on the first and third Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The Moms Group meets on the fourth Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., timed to coincide with the parish's free community dinner. The Patches and Stitches Quilters gather on Tuesday mornings around 10:00 a.m. to sew quilts and enjoy fellowship. The Rosary Making Group meets every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. The Women's Bible Study meets on Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. during the school year, with babysitting available.
Music, Liturgy, and the Mass
Music at Saint Edward is led by Music Coordinator Mary Ann Zielinski, working with cantors, choir members, and instrumentalists. Liturgical aides in each pew guide visitors through the order of the Mass. Lectors and Readers receive a workbook with the readings for the liturgical year, and the Audio and Video Ministry livestreams every Mass while running the PowerPoint slides that help the assembly follow along.
Children can serve as altar servers once they have received First Communion and are at least in the third grade; adults are welcome as servers after Confirmation. Servers use a FlockNote messaging system to manage scheduling and find substitutes. Training is provided by Joyce Sprouse and pairs new servers with experienced ones.
Parish Community Center and the Campus
The recently completed church building was followed by an active building campaign for a Parish Community Center. Plans call for an open hall that can host worship, celebrations, and community events, up to six meeting rooms with flexible walls that can open into a large event space, and a new reception area with expanded offices for parish staff. The building is being designed with the capacity to add a second floor and a commercial kitchen later. The capital campaign is led by Bonnie Terhaar, who chairs fundraising, with opportunities to bequeath the campaign.
The current parish hall hosts Children's Faith Formation classes, youth groups, community dinners, the Moms Group, and Altar Server training. The Adoration Chapel, gardens, picnic shelter, and grounds are cared for by parish volunteers and are part of the welcoming feel of the campus.
Reaching Out to Keizer
Saint Edward's outreach to Keizer is broad and long-standing. The parish partners with Keizer Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Dayspring Fellowship Church Men's Group, the Keizer Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Keizer Chamber MAK, Keizer Rotary and Keizer Satellite Rotary, McNary High Honor Society, Thrivent Financial of Keizer, Keizer Library Board and Music Box Angels, and Scouting America Troop 105 to serve a Free Community Dinner on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall; in November the hours shift to 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
On the second Monday of each month, parishioners from Saint Edward stock the shelves and distribute food boxes at the Keizer Community Food Bank, an interfaith food ministry hosted at Faith Lutheran Church and part of the Marion-Polk Food Share network. The parish Saint Vincent de Paul Society collects food and provides emergency assistance to those in need. The Respect for Life Committee organizes the parish's participation in the Life Chain on Lancaster Drive each October and in 40 Days for Life, while supporting the Saint Germaine Pregnancy Center.
Closer to home, the parish sends Communion to the sick and homebound on Wednesday mornings and Sundays after Mass, often in pairs, and trains Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for that work. Parish Nurses and Health Ministers take blood pressures, refer parishioners to community resources, and coordinate Red Cross Blood Drives. The Funeral Reception Committee hosts receptions after parish funerals, providing hospitality to families in grief.
Parish Life and Organizations
The Coffee and Donut hosts gather after Mass in the parish hall, with donuts provided by the church. The Welcoming Outreach team greets new families, helps them find their way around the campus, and connects them to ministries. The Parish Library, coordinated by Sarah Quinlan, stocks Catholic books for adults and illustrated Bible and saint stories for children; registered parishioners can check out up to two children's books per child.
Two Scouting America units call Saint Edward home. Cub Scout Pack 105, led by Cubmaster Joe Demianew and Pack Committee Chair Andrea Stitt, serves boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade. Scouting America Troop 105, led by Scoutmaster Joe Demianew, meets Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. for boys who have earned the Arrow of Light or are at least ten years old, and the troop camps, hikes, and pursues merit badges throughout the year.
The annual Parish Benefit Auction is the largest single fundraiser of the year, with a rotating theme; the most recent was titled Bank Rolling His House. The auction raises money that flows back into parish programs.
History and Heritage
Saint Edward Catholic Parish has been in Keizer since 1968. The church is named in honor of Archbishop Edward Howard, Archbishop of Portland from 1926 to 1966, and is dedicated under the patronage of St. Edward the Confessor, King of England from 1042 to 1066. A full icon, St. Edward and the Heavenly Bridegroom, was commissioned for the fortieth anniversary of the parish by Fr. Gary Zerr. Drawing on the iconography of the Bayeux Tapestry, the icon shows St. Edward offering his ring to a beggar who reveals the Heavenly Bridegroom, symbolizing the parish's sacrifice of worship and service.
The patron saint is remembered for his gentleness, humility, detachment, and angelic purity, and is invoked as patron of difficult marriages, kings, and separated spouses. The story of his giving a ring to a beggar who turns out to be St. John the Evangelist, only to have the ring returned with a message of his coming death, is one of the great medieval tales of Christian kingship.
Fr. Gary Zerr, who was ordained in 1997 after years with American Airlines and formation at Mount Angel Seminary, served the parish for more than twenty years before entering senior status in 2026. He continues to assist at the parish, and his sermons and pastor columns are shared with parishioners. He is succeeded by Fr. David Jaspers, a priest of the Archdiocese of Portland who began his assignment as pastor on July 1, 2026. Fr. Jaspers studied Spanish-language literature and history at Pacific Lutheran University before entering Mount Angel Seminary, where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology, a Master of Divinity, and a Master of Arts in Scripture, graduating in 2009. He completed a Doctorate in Pastoral Ministry in the spring of 2022. He previously served St. Alice in Springfield and Ascension Catholic Church in Southeast Portland before coming to Keizer.
Visiting Saint Edward
Visitors are warmly welcomed. Mass is the central rhythm of the week, and the Saturday Vigil, Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon schedule offers options for almost any family. The parish asks only that attire be respectable and modest and that men remove their hats in the church. There is ample parking on the campus, including accessible parking near the building entrances, and Cherriots Route 9 and Route 19 serve the parish.
Free childcare for children ages one to three is offered in the nursery in the parish hall during the 10:30 a.m. Mass on most Sundays and during selected special events. Children's Faith Formation classes meet during the 10:30 a.m. Mass for preschool through fifth grade. A family room is available for parents with small children who prefer to keep their children with them during Mass. For those with hearing needs, hospitality ministers can arrange special seating.
Visitors who are not Catholic are not expected to receive Holy Communion; instead, they are invited to come forward in the Communion line with their arms crossed over their chest to receive a blessing. The parish invites everyone to register using the registration form online, whether as a new parishioner or to update information, and to consider giving to support its 130 plus ministries and events. WeShare online giving is available for those who prefer to give electronically.
Saint Edward is, at heart, a parish built around the Eucharist and built to last. With daily Mass, perpetual adoration, a bilingual sacramental and formation program, a new Parish Community Center on the way, and a network of ministries that reaches from cradle to cradle to the wider Keizer community, the parish on River Road continues to grow into the second half-century of its life.