Rev. Joseph Patrick Breen, Pastor
“St. Edward School is outstanding. I am proud and grateful for the many people who work so hard to make it a Christian community. Our administration and faculty, with the great support of parents and benefactors, have made our school a source of great education – truly a place where one finds the Spirit of Christ.”
--Rev. Joseph Patrick Breen
Father Joe Pat, as he is affectionately known, was born in Nashville on March 28, 1935. He is the eighth of nine children born to loving and faith-filled parents, Paul Breen, Sr. and Anna Marie Nenon. Father Breen attended Christ the King Elementary and Father Ryan High School. Further education includes graduation from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA and an outstanding experience at North American College in Rome, where he received a license in theology from Gregorian University, staffed by the Jesuits of the Society of Jesus.
In 2011, Fr. Breen celebrated the fiftieth year of his ordination in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in 1961. Father Breen has served as an associate pastor and high school teacher in Memphis, TN for four years, and the same in Chattanooga, TN for three years. He served as pastor of St. Therese Church in Cleveland, TN for five years, then of St. Rose of Lima in Murfreesboro, TN for ten years. He returned to his home of Nashville in 1984, where he continues to be a dedicated servant of our Lord and much loved pastor of St. Edward Church.
While serving at St. Edward, Fr. Breen has impacted the lives of many students and parishioners through his exuberant personality and welcoming spirit. Many mornings he is seen roaming the halls of the school, greeting the parents and students. He has been referred to as the“Pied Piper” by the way the children flock to him. Fr. Breen’s message to the school’s students regularly encourages them to do their best and to do what is right. On the weekend his homilies build the faith of the parish community. Visitors to St. Edward immediately feel at home as Fr. Breen recognizes them and personally welcomes them to St. Edward. Fr. Breen encourages the parishioners to include everyone in the Mass celebration. His welcoming spirit has made St. Edward a home parish for many cultures to celebrate their Catholic faith.
Fr. Breen is committed to Catholic education, which is evident in the many things he does for St. Edward School. He has been instrumental
in adding two new school wings at St. Edward which has allowed the addition of a Pre-Kindergarten program, a Science Lab, a large meeting room and state of the art classrooms. He also supports the school’s technology department by making sure there are funds each year to buy cutting edge technology for the teachers and students to use in the classroom. Each Wednesday the entire school celebrates mass together.
Fr. Breen’s homilies have touched the lives of many children and have planted seeds to help them grow into faithful young adults.
The congregation can always count on Fr. Breen for an uplifting message that they can relate to their everyday lives.
One of the most important lessons that Fr. Breen has taught the community of St. Edward is to reach out to those who are less fortunate. He embraces the diverse cultural groups that make up the St. Edward family. Fr. Breen reached out to the Hispanic community and offered them a place of worship, classrooms for education and a place to gather. As the group grew in leaps and bounds, Fr. Breen was instrumental in
collecting money to purchase Our Lady of Guadalupe. This gives the Hispanic community a church to worship together and celebrate their heritage.
Father Jerry Strange, Associate Pastor
I would like to take a few lines to say hello to the community of St. Edward’s. My name is Fr. Jerry
Strange. I grew up in Glasgow, KY where I lived with my 3 brothers and 2 sisters. My father James Strange died in 2000. He was a veteran of the Korean War and continued serving full-time as a Warrant Officer (CW4) for 40 years in the KY National Guard. My mom ran the school cafeteria for 20 years and still lives in Glasgow, KY.
In 1978 I received my B.M. in music (piano/performance) from the University of Louisville, M.M. in music from Butler University in Indianapolis, Teacher Certification from Western KY University and my Rank I Teacher Certification from the University of KY and Western KY University.
I was married and have a daughter, Katherine Strange. She lives in Bowling Green, KY and has received her Bachelor’s degree in Fire Safety Management. She is also an EMT and is currently a dispatcher for EMT of Greenview Hospital. She hopes to work for the fire department and eventually be a paramedic.
My life’s journey began as a professional musician for several years. I was a staff accompanist for the Western KY University department of
music, house pianist for L’Auberge des Champs, a French restaurant/private club, and served as music director/musician for several Catholic communities. My most interesting music experience was being a musician for St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Bardstown, KY, a traditionally Black Catholic church. I worked there for 5 years accompanying a Black Gospel group.
The life of a musician was not conducive to my live-style so I moved into education and initially taught at St. Catherine College, St. Catherine, KY. For the next 18 years, I taught music in the public school district of Nelson Co., KY and Caverna Independent Schools, near Mammoth Cave, KY. My range of responsibilities spread from pre-school through high school instructing general music and assisting the high school band.
Finally, God called me to the priesthood. I was sent to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans for pre-theology classes and then for completion of my M. Div. During the summers, I was sent to Mundelein, IL (University of St. Mary of the Lake) to complete a Master’s degree in Liturgical Studies from the Liturgical Institute. Ordination came in May of 2011. My first assignment was associate pastor at Our Lady of the Lake, Hendersonville, TN.
My journey has now brought me to this wonderful community of St. Edward’s. I look forward to serving God and this community with a happy heart and love for all of you. I have found that it really is better to give than to receive and am happiest when I am working for the Lord.
Strange. I grew up in Glasgow, KY where I lived with my 3 brothers and 2 sisters. My father James Strange died in 2000. He was a veteran of the Korean War and continued serving full-time as a Warrant Officer (CW4) for 40 years in the KY National Guard. My mom ran the school cafeteria for 20 years and still lives in Glasgow, KY.
In 1978 I received my B.M. in music (piano/performance) from the University of Louisville, M.M. in music from Butler University in Indianapolis, Teacher Certification from Western KY University and my Rank I Teacher Certification from the University of KY and Western KY University.
I was married and have a daughter, Katherine Strange. She lives in Bowling Green, KY and has received her Bachelor’s degree in Fire Safety Management. She is also an EMT and is currently a dispatcher for EMT of Greenview Hospital. She hopes to work for the fire department and eventually be a paramedic.
My life’s journey began as a professional musician for several years. I was a staff accompanist for the Western KY University department of
music, house pianist for L’Auberge des Champs, a French restaurant/private club, and served as music director/musician for several Catholic communities. My most interesting music experience was being a musician for St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Bardstown, KY, a traditionally Black Catholic church. I worked there for 5 years accompanying a Black Gospel group.
The life of a musician was not conducive to my live-style so I moved into education and initially taught at St. Catherine College, St. Catherine, KY. For the next 18 years, I taught music in the public school district of Nelson Co., KY and Caverna Independent Schools, near Mammoth Cave, KY. My range of responsibilities spread from pre-school through high school instructing general music and assisting the high school band.
Finally, God called me to the priesthood. I was sent to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans for pre-theology classes and then for completion of my M. Div. During the summers, I was sent to Mundelein, IL (University of St. Mary of the Lake) to complete a Master’s degree in Liturgical Studies from the Liturgical Institute. Ordination came in May of 2011. My first assignment was associate pastor at Our Lady of the Lake, Hendersonville, TN.
My journey has now brought me to this wonderful community of St. Edward’s. I look forward to serving God and this community with a happy heart and love for all of you. I have found that it really is better to give than to receive and am happiest when I am working for the Lord.
Deacon Brian Edwards
Deacon Brian Edwards is a life-long member of St. Edward Church. He is married to Cathye Edwards and has three children: Nathan, Susanna and Daniel. He was ordained to the diaconate on May 14, 1999 and has served at St. Edward since that time. He also works full-time as the Chaplain and Theology Department Head at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, TN.
Deacon Edwards graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1981 and attended St. Ambrose College where he majored in Theology and English. He holds a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Tennessee and worked as a licensed clinical social worker in a local psychiatric hospital and mental health center for twelve years before joining the faculty at JP2. In 2012, he earned a Master of Arts in Theology from the St. Meinrad School of Theology.
Deacon Edwards graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1981 and attended St. Ambrose College where he majored in Theology and English. He holds a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Tennessee and worked as a licensed clinical social worker in a local psychiatric hospital and mental health center for twelve years before joining the faculty at JP2. In 2012, he earned a Master of Arts in Theology from the St. Meinrad School of Theology.
Deacon Ed Jayme
Hello, I am Deacon Ed Jayme. Since moving to Nashville in 1992 from Long Beach, CA, my wife Jee and daughter Marie have been members of the St. Edward community. I was ordained to the diaconate on June 9, 2006 and have about 20 years of diocesan and parish experience. Prior to my ordination, I served as team member of the RCIA and Adult Faith Formation ministries here at St. Edward. Before working full-time as a counselor at the Middle Tennessee Treatment Center, I was a team member of the Ministry Formation Services at the Diocese of Nashville for 10 years.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Education from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. I hold two Masters degrees; one on Educational Administration from De La Salle University, and the other in Religious Education from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. I was formerly a member of the religious order of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in the Philippines for about 25 years.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Education from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. I hold two Masters degrees; one on Educational Administration from De La Salle University, and the other in Religious Education from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. I was formerly a member of the religious order of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in the Philippines for about 25 years.
