Praying for Deacon Edward Shultz

Many of us have been lifting Deacon Ed Shultz in prayer for some time; now we continue those prayers with hearts full of trust in God’s mercy.

As we remember Deacon Ed with gratitude and love, we also recall that indulgences may be offered for the souls of the faithful departed—especially through Nov. 8, when plenary indulgences can be gained each day for those in purgatory. 

The Pieta Prayer Book reminds us:

“An indulgence is granted the Christian faithful who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only momentarily, for the dead… This indulgence is a plenary one from Nov. 1 through Nov. 8, and can be gained on each of these days. On the other days of the year, this indulgence is a partial one.”

Let us keep Deacon Ed close in prayer, trusting that God’s mercy and grace are guiding him home.

Deacon Ed, who entered eternal life on Oct. 24, was a man whose life radiated faith, humility, and compassion. A devoted husband of 52 years, loving father of three sons, and proud grandfather of seven, Ed’s vocation extended beyond his family to his parish and community.

At St. John the Evangelist, he served faithfully at the altar and in ministry. As a brother in the Secular Franciscan Fraternity of St. Mary of the Angels, he shared his gentle wisdom, joy, and love of Christ with everyone he met. “Ed was a kind and joyful source of light for the fraternity,” said Deacon Phil Coduti. “His example and love will continue to influence our ministry for years to come.”

Deacon Jim McFarland, who first met Ed at daily Mass, remembered him as “a kind and gentle man who loved Christ… he always focused on others, even in his suffering.”

Father Sammie Maletta echoed that same spirit: “Every time I saw him, he would tell me, ‘I’m ready. I trust in the Lord.’ He never complained. He simply believed that God loved him, God’s mercy was there for him, and God’s grace would see him through.”

Born and raised in Griffith, Ed was a proud Vietnam veteran and dedicated professional engineer who spent 40 years with Franciscan Health. His work ethic and faith were inseparable—both rooted in service to others.

Deacon Ed had served in Vietnam and been exposed to Agent Orange. Father Maletta said, "He was all right until shortly after he retired. He started getting sick and having respiratory and heart problems. He came close to death numerous times, but he never complained. Typically when I counsel people who are facing terminal illnesses, they ask the same question, why me? It's a question nobody can answer, but Ed never asked that question. He never complained.

"Every time I saw him, he would tell me, "I'm ready. I'm open. I know God is with me. I know and trust in the Lord, but I hope that I'll have enough strength that I can get back and serve at the altar. Every single time I saw him, he would come to me and ask that I pray that he would get strong enough that he could serve at the altar.

"About three months ago at a daily Mass, Ed was here with his wife. He had his oxygen with him, but it wasn't on him. And I just had this feeling from the Holy Spirit...When I went down to distribute communion, I walked over to Ed and asked if he wanted to help me distribute communion. And he was just glowing because he got to serve again. That was definitely Ed's attitude. He was ready because he believed that God loved him, notwithstanding his faults or his sinfulness or his limitations. He believed God's mercy was there for him and God's grace would see him through.”

Deacon Ed’s life reminds us that holiness is found not in grand gestures, but in steadfast love, quiet faith, and humble service. As we pray for his soul and give thanks for his life, we entrust him to the loving arms of the Lord whom he served so faithfully.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.

And, Deacon Ed, please pray for us!