Nearly three dozen diocesan priests gathered at St. Basil the Great Church in Brecksville on May 25 to celebrate significant anniversaries of their ordination. Jubilees were celebrated for those marking 60, 50, 40 and 25 years in the priesthood.
Main celebrant and homilist was Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Archdiocese of the Military. He is a native of the Diocese of Cleveland and a 40-year jubilarian.
Concelebrants included Bishop Daniel Thomas, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Cleveland; Bishop emeritus Richard Lennon; and Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries. Bishop emeritus Anthony Pilla was in attendance.
More than 200 were at the Mass, including priests, deacons, friends and family of the jubilarians.
Archbishop Broglio gave thanks for the many years of service the jubilarians have given to the diocese. He noted that some are retired, while those in his 40-year class ?are still working in the vineyards.? He also quipped that some in the 25-year class weren?t even born when many of the others were ordained.
?We celebrate in gratitude for well over 1,500 years of priestly ministry. It?s a sure sign of God?s call among us,? he said.
He talked about God?s presence and its importance to the Church, pointing out that even though Jesus ascended into heaven on Ascension, he remains among us. ?He makes himself known in the eye of the beholder,? Archbishop Broglio said, adding, ?knowing that the Holy Spirit is among us brings a greater reality to today?s celebration.?
The years of celebrating the Eucharist, practicing the faith, anointing the sick, burying the dead, baptizing and presiding at marriages ?make you realize that the priesthood is a great gift,? Archbishop Broglio said.
?Absence and presence mark a rhythm of spiritual life,? he said, alluding to Christ?s death, resurrection and ascension. ?Our sadness will be transformed into joy by the cross that made him rise. As a good shepherd, he attends to the needs of his flock, which is true of us, also. Both sadness and joy help us grow in the Lord,? the archbishop said.
?As jubilarians, we rejoice today for so many graces received and dispersed. We give thanks for parish, family and parishioners. In the divine plan, we are gathered here to give thanks in the all as we bring Christ to others,? Archbishop Broglio said.
After posing for pictures with their ordination classmates, jubilarians and their guests enjoyed a catered lunch in the Parish Life Center.
Before lunch, Bishop Thomas offered grace and his thanks for the many years of service by the jubilarians.
Those celebrating jubilees this year include:
60 years
