Father Ed may you rest in peace.  You are missed by many people who loved you a lot. You often said that God just wanted us to be happy. Now you are with your mother, father & brother.  I know I will see you again one day.

I was a parishioner of Christ the Good Shepherd for 25 years.  Fr. Abell touched my life and I feel the loss of his presence on this earth.  I wrote this poem as a tribute to Fr. Ed.  I think many can associate themselves with my thoughts.

A MAN OF GOD (Tribute to Fr. Ed Abell)


Just another Sunday mass, God's people all were there;
those in pain, those in joy and some who didn't care;
but what they didn't know was what they were about to see
the love of one man for his God would set all their hearts free.

There were the songs and readings we had heard before
but something just seemed different as all knelt to adore.
Though every mass is special, what was to happen there
came from years of service and and much of life in prayer.

You could have heard a pin drop when the host was raised
the love expressed within his face did all of us amaze
A man of God transfigured right before our very eyes
No one there could ever doubt his witness of the prize.

I was sad to hear today that he had left this earth.
He had for us such value, such spirit and such worth.
I knew him only briefly, but his touch I still embrace
Every time the host is raised, I always see his face.

His final story we were told as he lay close to death;
a whispered declaration in soft and labored breath.
Tell them that I've had a life so good and full of love.
I'm longing now to see my Lord in His home above.

You could have heard a pin drop as his life was appraised.
For those who heard, the calm and peace did totally amaze.
A man of God left for his God, eyes lifted to the skies.
No one there could ever doubt his witness of the prize.

Fr. Ed, 
We know you are now one of Jesus' best friends in heaven like you were on earth.  We are forever grateful for your touching our lives.

Saddened by your departure. Sorry, I missed your final party.Sweet memories of your smiling face.

Father Ed was a wonderful man. I know my mom and he were the best of Christian friends.  Heaven is rejoicing at the welcome of another soul who lived his life well as an example to others.

So sorry to hear of your loss. We pray that your family will be comforted by the truth of God that he is not the cause of death but wants everyone to have life through him and his son Jesus. (James 1:13; John 17:3) May you find eternal happiness & comfort through him.

To the Abell Family:  I find myself at a loss for words.  So many memories keep coming back of when I knew Fr Ed from St. Joseph church in Houston, Texas.  I lived in the neighborhood and would always see him around the grounds at St. Joseph and when he said mass, I would be totally involved in what he had to say and he always stood at the entrance to greet everyone as they were leaving and would always leave us with a feeling of peace that would last all week.  I know you will definitely brightened up the heaves with your joy and laughter.  you will be truly missed

The Lord and Blessed Mother won another wonderful priest.  We will miss you very, very much.

Love and prayers for you, Father and your family

My Mom worked with Father Ed at St. Mary's Seminary. He was always a joy to be around. Thank you for being such a great friend to my Mom. May you rest in peace.

Father Ed counseled and married my wife Cindy and I.  Afterwards, I went through the RICA process at Christ the Good Shepherd during Father Ed's time there.  Later he baptized our first child.  We have lived all over Texas and overseas, but we have always remembered Father Ed's genuine love for us and all of his flock.  Father Ed's passing makes me sad, but I know he is rejoicing in The Lord.

Condolences to the family and friends of Rev.Edward W.Abell... So very sorry to hear your lost! Thank goodness we have hope a hope to see our love ones again Act 24:15

A very kind man and devoted priest.  Requiescat in pace..

Father Ed Abell was a very loving priest,like Jesus.  I visited Christ the Good Shepherd Church through the years (with my brother's family) when he was the Pastor.  Loved to attend his mass. He made people happy to be in his presence.

In the fall of 1983, Ron and I went to visit Father Ed Abell at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Houston. He had never met us, but he graciously agreed to talk with us. We told Father Ed we were seriously considering marriage but were not yet officially engaged. We asked him to counsel with us about our decision, and he did. And we told him we wanted him to marry us, but we knew there were plenty of reasons why he wouldn't or couldnt. We told him we weren't members of that church; in face we didn't even live in Houston. He assured us he didn't care about that. We told him Ron was Catholic and I was Methodist. Father Ed laughed and said, "My father was Catholic and my mother was Methodist!" So that wasn't an issue either. The only real issue, he informed us, would be his very busy calendar. In fact, he said, "it's October right now and the first available date I have open is next July 28. By the time you make your engagement official, I may not have an opening until a year from now." After a little more conversation, we agreed to let Fr. Ed know if and when we decided to get engaged. 

Two months later, on Christmas morning, Ron proposed and we made our engagement official. As promised, we called Father Ed to ask him to marry us and to see how long we'd have to wait for an opening on his calendar. Late fall of the following year! 'But wait," he said...and he opened a desk drawer and pulled out a file. "Yes, I thought so! I knew the two of you would be engaged very soon after leaving my office, so I put your name on my next available date and held it for you - July 28!" 

So July 28, 1984 it was. This beloved priest chose our wedding date and married Ron and me in a beautiful and meaningful ceremony filled with love and joy. 

Five years later, he baptized our first-born, David, again in a ceremony filled with love and joy. 

We saw Father Ed for the last time about 6 years ago. Even after several bouts of cancer and declining health, he still radiated love and joy like no one else I have ever known. He was truly the closest example of Christ on Earth I have ever encountered. 

Heaven celebrated his arrival last week. Ron and I were blessed to have known this amazing and remarkable man.

Dear Fr Ed, 
Your  joy was overwhelming as was your love of Christ.  Your words of wisdom  are with me forever.  I can see you smiling as you walked into the arms of Christ. Peace to your family and friends.

Bonnie

Thank you for being such a wonderful godfather, Ed.  Our children will hear stories about you from myself and from Heiko... although I don't know if we'll be able to imitate your accent!  You will be in our hearts always.

Fr Ed was a very special person in our family.  He was the person we called if we needed counsel or comfort due to a loss.  He officiated at my Dad's funeral, in fact he baptized my Dad in 1969.  Now he and Dad (Chili) can celebrate together in Heaven.  Rest in peace Fr Ed, you will truly be missed.

Fr. Ed was my spiritual director while I was at St. Mary's Seminary. What a guy. He was real and in his own words, "No B.S." I think he was a Pope Francis type of priest. God bless him. Can't wait to see you again....but not just yet! :) 
                                                                 --Cliff Garinn (Dallas, TX)

Fr Ed married us in July 1978. I will always miss his kind embrace of my hand and his beautiful smile.

Oh Fr. Ed, from the first time we heard you speak about starting a new Parish, we fell in love with your love for Our Lord. I had been away from the church for 12 years and you made it easy for me to return and grow spiritually.  You've been there for our kids, for us, even when we lived overseas, you were a phone call away. I will miss our spirited, and spiritual, conversations, our time together, and most of all, your love and acceptance.  You will always be in our hearts, and I know we have a friend in Heaven to greet those of us who plan to be there when the time comes.  We love you.  
Mary Jane and T. Wayne Brewster, Brian and Kevin Preuss.

God Bless you, Father Ed. You were missed when you left Christ the Good Shepherd, and will be missed by all those on this earth whose lives you touched.

We know you are smiling down on us all from your peaceful place in heaven. Thank you for the many blessings and bundles of love you bestowed upon the O'Donnell family over the years. You will forever remain in our hearts. 

Much love and the fondest of memories, Shannon, Richard, Nicholas, Kellen and Cameron Kroger

Dear Abell family-

I have never met anyone like Fr. Ed that was so full of the Holy Spirit!  He was a huge blessing to all of us at Christ the Good Shepherd!  All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.  May God ease your loss with all the good memories of this wonderful man.

Rest in peace Fr Ed; you have inspired us all with you love and example. May God lift you up. We will miss you.

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Ed, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.  May he rest in peace.  Amen.

One of the finest men that ever walked the face of this earth. Thank you so much for helping me in life.

Fr. Ed, you meant so much to our family, especially Terri & Matt.  I enjoyed working for you at St. Bart's, it just was not long enough.  We all have many happy memories of the times we spent with you! I learned a lot from you.  We will all miss you! You will be in our hearts always! Virginia & Leo Kainer

I have know Ed ever since we went to school together at St. Anne's.  He was so full of life and gave so much of himself. He will be missed. Blessings, Ed.

Uncle Ed married me to Bill in 1978. He was one of the kindest men ever and I will miss his beautiful smile.

Such a wonderful, loving man of God. We were Christ the Good Shepherd since its beginning. He will truly be missed.

May all the bereaved be comforted by God at this most difficult time.

We love you and remember you forever, Fr Ed. Rest in peace, dear kindred spirit.  
Anne Marie and the Germani family

Fr. Ed loved as Jesus loved.
He changed our lives!
We are forever grateful!

Am sure Fr. Ed is smiling down on all of us.
He presided over my daughters wedding and he was delighted that it was his first all Irish ceremony ,he was delightful.
Christ the Good Shepherd parishioner .

There will never be another man as spiritual, loving & caring as Fr. Ed.  I've been a member of CGS since I moved here in 1981 & have missed him ever since he left.  I know he's wrapped in the arms of Jesus now - he had the closest personal relationship with Him that I have ever witnessed.  RIP, Fr. Ed - I know Heaven is happy to have you & you will live forever in our hearts & memories.

OBITUARY

Rev. Edward Weathers Abell

November 10, 1935 – October 2, 2014

Forest Park Lawndale

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