Nearly 1,000 years of priestly service to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland was recognized on May 21 at a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Nelson Perez at St. Basil the Great Church in Brecksville.
Priests marking the 60th, 50th, 40th and 25th anniversaries of their ordination are members of this year’s jubilee group.
Concelebrants included Bishop David Walkowiak of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, himself a 40-year jubilarian. Bishop Walkowiak also was the homilist at the liturgy. Bishop emeritus Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa, and Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries also concelebrated.
In his homily, Bishop Walkowiak noted that he spent 34 years of his priesthood – prior to his 2013 appointment as bishop of Grand Rapids -- ministering in the Diocese of Cleveland. “I still like to think of myself as part of the diocese,” he said. The bishop said he was impressed to see that Bishop Perez ordained nine men as priests on May 18. “The Diocese of Grand Rapids is a great place to minister,” he quipped, noting his diocese will ordain two new priests on June 1.
Reflecting on the Gospel, Bishop Walkowiak said the apostles made decisions in the early Church to establish who would be in charge and to set up a foundation upon which the Church would grow. They also reported to the Church what God had done with them, the bishop said, referring to it as accountability. They were evangelizing and talked about how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
“That’s what presbyters – our priests – do today and the jubilarians have been doing this for many years,” he said.
The bishop also touched on difficulties in the Church – something that requires priests to be strong. He noted that in the day’s first reading, Acts 14:19-28, Paul was nearly stoned to death but he got up and entered the city and the following day left for another city where he continued to preach the good news and to make new disciples. He said this exemplified the Holy Spirit’s gift of fortitude. “Be courageous in big ways and small,” he said, reminding the priests that this is necessary when dealing with some of the difficult things happening in today’s Church. He also reminded them that it is necessary to undergo many hardships to enter God’s kingdom.
“It’s a tough time to be a priest. This year bishops have been in the spotlight for not protecting their people. Thanks be to God for the priests who have gotten up and gotten back into the ministry to which Jesus called them,” he added. He said a parish priest is the person people know and love.
“We are tools in the hands of God. These years have not been easy, but you are faithful and God is faithful. Your priesthood is a sign of God’s call and continuing presence among his people. May the Lord continue to do infinitely more than we could ever imagine or ask for,” he said.
Bishop Perez told the priests and specifically the jubilarians that “we are earthen vessels entrusted with this ministry for a while.”
After Mass, the jubilee classes posed for photos with the bishops and then enjoyed a lunch and fellowship in the parish hall.
Those celebrating the 60th anniversary of their ordination (May 23, 1959) are * Father James J. Berardi, *Father Carl L. D’agostino, *Father John S. Deka, *Father John J. Kraker, * Father Peter J. Lenahan, Father John J. Mueller, *Father Francis C. Mulvanity, Father John F. Murphy, Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, *Father Paul F. Selle, *Father Denis L. St. Marie, *Father John M. Tezie and *Father John L. Viall.
Those marking their 50th anniversary of ordination (May 31, 1969) are Father S. Michael Franz, Father Walter J. Hyclak, Father Joseph D. McNulty, *Father Lee J. Monroe, Father Neil D. O’Connor, Father Charles J. Ryba, *Father Thomas W. Tifft, *Father Stephen J. Walick and Father Edward F. Weist.
Celebrating 40 years as a priest (ordained June 9, 1979) are *Father Richard J. Cartmell, Father Daniel O. Divis, * Father Robert L. Hoban, Father William R. Krizner, Father John M. Kumse, *Father Patrick E. McShane Jr., Father David A. Novak and Bishop David J. Walkowiak. Ordained on June 24, 1979 was Father Robert J. Jasany.
And marking 25 years as a priest (ordained May 28, 1994) are Father William G. Bouhall, Father John P. Miceli, Father John A. Ocilka and Father Charles F. Strebler.
An asterisk indicates the priest is deceased.