The lobby of Mercedarian Plaza Senior Apartments on Fulton Road in Cleveland was filled with tables covered in pastel tablecloths. There were centerpieces on each table and seasonal decorations adding to the festive atmosphere.
In the adjacent community room, a row of tables were overflowing with a variety of foods, many homemade by residents, and a decorated sheet cake. The aroma greeted those entering the lobby.
Maryellen Staab, director of housing development, Diocese of Cleveland Facilities Services Corp., said many of the building?s residents are of Mexican, Guatemalan and Puerto Rican heritage and they were eagerly awaiting a visit from Bishop Nelson Perez on July 18.
?They are very excited,? Staab said. What was to have been a simple meet-and-greet with the bishop and a tour of the facility expanded into an opportunity for the residents to welcome him with food and fellowship. ?Many of the residents prepared their favorite foods for the bishop,? Staab said, adding they wanted to share their hospitality with him.
Residents began filling the tables about a half-hour before the bishop?s arrival time. As he walked through the door, they greeted him in Spanish. He asked the residents to introduce themselves and to share thoughts about their home.
?I love it here,? one woman said. Another had praise for the management and another talked about what a wonderful place it was.
Two residents offered to show their apartments to the bishop, and then it was time for lunch.
?Wow. This is wonderful,? the bishop said as he complimented the cooks. He said it was nice to be able to enjoy some nationality dishes that he doesn?t often get to eat.
Bishop Perez chatted in both Spanish and English as he enjoyed lunch. He visited each table and posed for photos with residents and staff members.
Residents presented Staab with a bouquet of flowers and thanked Catholic Charities for their role in developing Mercedarian Plaza.
Staab said the 40-unit building, which has one-bedroom apartments for independent living for those 62 and older, opened in July 2010 and quickly was filled to capacity. She said there is a great need for affordable housing in that neighborhood.
Mercedarian Plaza in Cleveland, Nativity Manor in Lorain and the Apartments at St. Richard in North Olmsted are among the Catholic Charities Housing Corp. developments that offer affordable housing for senior citizens.
For more information, visit ccdocle.org/about-us/catholic-charities-housing.
