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Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem

News of the Diocese

December 9, 2019

Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem
Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem
Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem
Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem
Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem
Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem
Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem
Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem
Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem
Disability Services and Ministries takes its 35th Journey to Bethlehem

Even a case of laryngitis couldn’t keep Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries from one of his favorite Advent events: the annual Journey to Bethlehem presented by Disability Services and Ministries, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.

The 35th annual Mass and lunch took place on its traditional day -- the first Saturday of December. It was hosted on Dec. 7 at St. Augustine Parish in Tremont. St. Augustine offers many Catholic Charities ministries, including programs for the deaf and hard of hearing. Father Joseph McNulty, St. Augustine pastor, is director of Catholic Charities Ministry for Persons with Disabilities.

“I am so happy to be here with you today,” Bishop Gries said, straining to speak with a microphone.

Father Andy Turner, vice rector of Borromeo Seminary and director of field education at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, concelebrated the Mass and was the pinch-hitter for the homily. Also concelebrating were Father McNulty and Father Ben Jimenez, SJ, parochial vicar at St. Augustine Parish.

“Christmas can be messy,” Father Turner said. He reminded the congregation that the first Christmas took place in a stable. “It was probably smelly and messy because there were animals living and eating there. But God chose that place. Jesus is OK coming into our mess because he wants to be in our lives.”

Father Turner said he likes it when it snows for Christmas, but acknowledged the snow can make things messy. He has family in South Florida and said because they don’t get snow, one year he decided to help them have a white Christmas. “I sent them a box of cotton balls so they could have a no-mess snowball fight,” he quipped.

“But I hope we have a white Christmas because the messiness reminds us of the first Christmas. The messiness is OK,” Father Turner said. “We should give thanks for a God who loves us so much that he will meet us where we are and who welcomes us to the kingdom of heaven.”

Bishop Gries usually has a crisp $100 that he shows during the homily, drawing a comparison between the new bill and how Jesus was fresh and drew many followers. But as time passes, the crisp bill becomes old and torn – much like what happened to Jesus during his lifetime.

“Since I didn’t preach today, I didn’t need this,” he said, as he displayed the bill. “But I will give it to Marilyn (Scott, who heads the program) to help pay for your lunch today.”

Members of the congregation, including many participants in the disability services programs, participated in the offertory procession. In addition to presenting the bishop with the gifts of bread and wine, they carefully carried figures for the Nativity scene that was created near the altar. One by one they presented Bishop Gries with shepherds, sheep, animals, Mary, Joseph and finally, baby Jesus. Marilyn and Father Jimenez took each figure from the bishop and placed it in or near the manger.

Leading the music once again was the choir from St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor, under the direction of Bill Rebol.

Assisting Scott with the event were Lauren Mailey, program director for Disability Services; several seminarians; Deacon Ray Daull; Continuing Adult Education Program participants and staff, including Michelle Lunn, Gerry Kasper and Mae Graves; Bob Duda, Terry Hogan, Mary Smith and others.

After Mass, the group met downstairs for a box lunch and socialization.

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