It was a busy weekend once again for Bishop Nelson Perez. After celebrating Mass for the West Side Irish American Club at St. Colman Church on St. Patrick?s Day and marching in the St. Patrick?s Day Parade with a group of seminarians, the bishop headed to Akron to celebrate the vigil Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
On March 18, he celebrated Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Gates Mills.
The Mass at St. Vincent de Paul marked the 151st anniversary of the current church building. St, Vincent?s is the oldest Catholic parish in Akron and one of the oldest in the Diocese of Cleveland. The event also was the bishop?s first pastoral visit to the parish.
Father Norm Douglas, pastor of St. Vincent Parish, said the Irish settled in the area and the parish was founded in 1837. ?It was spun off from SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Doylestown,? he said, noting that parish was established in 1827 and is the oldest parish in the diocese.
At the anniversary Mass, Bishop Perez emphasized the concept of parish, discussing what parish means, its identity and its mission. He said it is important for people to pass on their faith and he is grateful that has been done in Akron for so many years.
Father Douglas said the first church, a frame structure, was built near the present Green Street Stadium used by St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. As the parish grew, ground was broken during the Civil War, in 1864, for the current sandstone church. Construction was halted in 1865 and resumed in 1866, with the first Mass celebrated on Oct. 20, 1867.
Two markers were blessed at the anniversary Mass: one for the current church building and one that Father Douglas said will be placed near the stadium where the original church was located. That church was used 1844-1867, Father said.
Concelebrating the Mass were Father Douglas; Father Joseph Kraker, who retired in 2013 after serving as St. Vincent?s pastor for 18 years; and Father Dave Halaiko, who retired in 2017 after serving for 36 years as pastor of Nativity of the Lord Jesus Parish in Akron. Father Halaiko is in residence at St. Vincent?s rectory and assists with Mass and the sacraments.
After Mass, Bishop Perez greeted parishioners at a dinner in the parish hall and posed for photos.
Father Douglas said he was pleased the bishop could celebrate the anniversary Mass, which was delayed from last year until the new bishop was installed and was able to visit.
?Bishop Perez has a pastoral heart for people
