“Buenas tardes,” Bishop Edward Malesic said, as he greeted the faithful gathered for the noon bilingual Mass at St. Mary Parish in Painesville. “That’s about all the Spanish I know,” he quipped.
Since it was the first Sunday of Advent, the first candle on the parish Advent wreath was lighted prior to Mass. The altar was covered with a special altar cloth made by a Slovak parishioner. The bishop took time to admire it and chat with her before Mass.
St. Mary’s, established in 1850, has many Hispanic parishioners and offers regular bilingual liturgies as well as sacramental preparation.
Father Steve Vellenga, St. Mary’s pastor since 1997, and the congregation greeted the bishop warmly. Father Vellenga, who is fluent in Spanish and spent time ministering at the diocesan mission in El Salvador, introduced the bishop in Spanish. Deacon Alex Spenik, who is in his final year of formation for the priesthood and was assigned to assist at St. Mary’s, proclaimed the Gospel in Spanish. The universal prayer was in both Spanish and English.
After Bishop Malesic delivered his homily in English, Father Vellenga summarized it in Spanish.
He said St. Mary’s has a rich history of faith. “It is an image of the Church that is made up of many peoples, languages and cultures. I am happy to be here with you today.”
Referring to the parishioners’ strong faith, Bishop Malesic said he is a disciple of Jesus who wants to gain strength from their faith. “I feel stronger already, knowing that I am in the midst of God’s flock,” he said, thanking them for welcoming him.
The bishop also reflected on life a year ago, contrasting it to life during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“Wow. What a difference a year makes,” he said.
We must be watchful, the bishop said, adding that in the Gospel, Jesus tells us we must be alert for something good to happen, for his healing presence to come to us. “But watching and waiting can be tiresome,” he said, connecting the wait for Jesus’ coming in the Gospel to the current pandemic as we wait for it to subside. Even his 103-year-old father, who usually is in a good mood, is tiring of the pandemic-imposed isolation.
Perhaps the Lord is already making something good come from this bad situation. Perhaps he is preparing us for something greater,” Bishop Malesic said.
“At least this long, drawn-out year has taught us a few lessons. It has taught us that we need to be patient,” he said, as we work this out and wait for a vaccine or a cure. “We need to be patient with each other and patient with God, too.”
We are mortal beings and have learned that life is fragile. But in the end, we are not destined to be here forever. “The Lord will come to rescue us from this life at a time that he determines – not us. Again, there are those words that come to mind: patience, be alert, watch and wait,” the bishop said.
This time of pandemic has given us time to think and to see that we have other lingering problems, including racism, political division, a broken immigration system, inner city violence, ongoing climate change and more, he said. But we also have hope that the Lord will return to set things straight again. “That’s the good news of the Gospel,” Bishop Malesic added.
As we begin a new liturgical year during Advent, he said we are praying that God will make the coming months a time of renewal for us, rejuvenation for our souls, healing for the nation, new growth for the Church and rejoicing that the Lord has saved us -- and a time when COVID-19 is defeated.
“So be watchful. Be alert. The Lord may come in an unexpected way. Be ready no matter when the Lord comes and no matter through whatever person he comes. We meet the Lord in unexpected places,” the bishop said. “Let’s not be unprepared when the Lord comes today at this Eucharist. And let’s not be asleep at the wheel when the Lord comes to take us home.” He said that day will come and he wants us to be prepared.
“So, be watchful. Be alert. Be prepared for that day which will look much better than it does today: the day of the Lord.”
During his remarks after Mass, the bishop also encouraged especially the younger members of the parish to listen to their hearts and not to be afraid to follow what the Lord calls them to, even if it’s a religious vocation or the priesthood.
“I love this place. It has a special place in my heart. I hope to come back when I know more Spanish,” he said, asking the congregation to pray for him. “I need your prayers and I’ll pray for you.”