Since arriving this past fall, Bishop Edward Malesic has met Catholics from across the diocese primarily through livestreamed Masses. Greetings and homilies delivered from the pulpit have captivated many generating feedback from Catholics saying, “We loved hearing him. Where else can we watch?”
On Feb. 19, the first Friday of Lent, Bishop Malesic spoke candidly with Catholics during his first live, casual conversation on Facebook. From his parlor chair, the bishop spoke about the journey of Lent during pandemic life.
“Good morning to our viewers. It is turning out to be a nice day,” the bishop said, as he greeted viewers. Commenting on the sun peeking through snow clouds, he said before prayer, “Winter always leads to spring and summer. Lent always leads to Easter. The cross always leads to the resurrection and the Lord always guides us to the ways he wants us to move. The direction he wants us to move is always towards him.”
Through a 15-minute conversation he reflected on the Lenten practices of increased prayer, greater fasting and more generous almsgiving. “So often we put ourselves in the center and that is when things get out of balance. Take yourself out and put God back into the center of our lives. Lent is the season of second, third, fourth chances. When God is in the center, we will do his will and then kingdom breaks through within us.”
Bishop Malesic also discussed the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday, the instruction and reasoning given from Rome and the historical context of sprinkling ashes.
As a way of tying together the Lenten practices of prayerful reflection, fasting and almsgiving, the bishop encouraged the faithful to participate in the 2021 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal that raises funds to serve people in need throughout Northeast Ohio – regardless of race or creed.