Priests in the Diocese of Cleveland gathered on the Tuesday of Holy Week for a presbyteral day of sanctification before the annual chrism Mass. The event is a Holy Week tradition in the diocese.
More than 200 priests and seminarians from Saint Mary Seminary took over a banquet room at the Westin Hotel on March 27 for a chance to pray, hear a presentation, socialize and enjoy a meal together. Bishop Nelson Perez convened the group. Also in attendance were Bishop emeritus Martin Amos from the Diocese of Davenport who returned to Greater Cleveland after retiring last year, and Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries.
It is a rare occasion when all presbyters gather for an afternoon away from their parishes, offices and ministries. The event coincides with the institution of the priesthood, which took place on Holy Thursday. At the chrism Mass, led by Bishop Perez, the priests renew their priestly promises.
The bishop told the priests they are a blessing and he urged them to remember what they felt like on their ordination day. ?Remember what you were feeling in your heart,? he said, reminding them that in the priesthood, God configured them to Christ.
Bishop Perez was the presider during the prayers, with Deacon Matthew Cortnik, who is on track to be ordained a priest in May, as the lector. Kevin Fox, a seminarian at Saint Mary?s, was cantor. Music was provided by Edward Kaczuk, a professor at the seminary, and the seminarians.
Father Dan Schlegel, vicar for clergy and religious, addressed the group. His topic was "Living the Paschal Mystery.?
The afternoon ended with a shared meal before the group headed to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for the chrism Mass.
