Bishop Nelson Perez spent the third weekend of Advent continuing his efforts to visits parishes across the diocese. His first stop took place on Dec. 16 at the 4:30pm Mass in Brunswick in Medina County at St. Ambrose Parish. There he celebrated Mass along with Pastor Father Robert Stec and Fathers Robert Ramser and Adam Zajac. Member of the parish council and students from the school presented the offertory gifts. The singing of the Children’s Choir inspired the bishop and the entire congregation to join in and sing a special song about building up the Body of Christ.
On Sunday morning, Dec. 17, Bishop Perez was at St. Mary Parish in Berea to celebrate the 9:30 a.m. Mass, which was attended by candidates for the sacraments of first Communion and confirmation, as well as their parents and sponsors. Pastor Father John Singler concelebrated Mass along with parochial vicar Father G. Max Cole. Deacon Thomas Cully assisted. After Mass, parish volunteers prepared a pancake and sausage breakfast. Bishop Perez also met with the second-graders who are preparing for their first reconciliation, which will take place soon.
Bishop Perez wrapped up the weekend’s activities with a stop to take part in a posada celebration with the Mercedarian priests and sisters at Our Lady of Mount Carmel –West Parish in Cleveland. A posada is a traditional Latin American celebration over nine days, a novena, prior to Christmas marking the pregnancy of the Blessed Mother. The posada’s activities are filled with songs, prayers and special foods. Pastor Father Richard Rasch was in attendance, as well as many of the sisters of the Mercedarian order.