“How to Serve the Lord with Gladness (and why you should)” was the theme of the 2021 Bishop’s Convocation Aug. 9. Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills hosted the annual gathering of elementary and high school principals/school presidents, youth ministers, high school campus ministers, Newman campus ministers and parish catechetical leaders.
Frank O’Linn, secretary of education and superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Cleveland, and Gregory Coogan, secretary for catechetical formation, organized the program. Bishop Edward Malesic celebrated Mass and Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization and an assistant professor of philosophy at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, was the keynote speaker.
“It is ‘good for us to be here,’” O’Linn said, noting those words of Scripture from St. Matthew resonate with the group as they gather in person this year after not being able to do so last year. He said the convocation signals the start of the 2021-2022 year of ministry.
Coogan and O’Linn said the convocation’s theme is tied to the vocation of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with people of all ages. “Our faith formation is to shape the whole person, our heads, hearts and hands, so that we live our baptismal call as missionary disciples,” Coogan said.
In his homily, Bishop Malesic told those gathered that they “are at the heart of the mission of the Church. Each of you is commissioned to be a missionary disciple of Jesus Christ in your vocation as teachers.” He thanked them for their hard work and dedication in leading, educating, forming and inspiring young people in the face of the pandemic. Despite all, he noted that they adapted and sacrificed “and all of us persevered. You were resolute, resilient and for that, I am deeply grateful. As we are about to embark on a new academic year, we do so filled with cautious optimism rooted in the knowledge that God is with us always.”
The bishop reminded the educators and ministers that “the ministry you perform is serious business,” noting that many young people and parents count on them and that they partner with parents in the formation of their children.
“We all know that charcoals that are burning burn brighter when placed together. Today, I hope that all of us burn brighter with the faith we have in Jesus and the love we have for him and each other. That is what keeps us going,” he said. Bishop Malesic differentiated between a job and a vocation, which he said is a mission from God. “It is easier to live out a vocation from God than to work at a job. I hope each of you are doing what you do because you believe God is asking you to do it. That’s a vocation. Be thankful that God has called you to pass on the faith to others through the ministry of education. You are ministers of the faith and servants of God and our Catholic Church.”
He also reminded them that as leaders and ministers, administrators and educators, they are “called to be Christ-bearers – beacons of light and hope to the world,” allowing his Holy Spirit to work through them” to engage, inspire and ignite others.”
The bishop said he reflected on his life journey as he prepared for the convocation and remembered those who were influential and inspiring in his life, those who helped him not only for his vocation, but whose involvement helped keep him on the path to the promised land.
“I am here today because of the many people who formed me. You may be forming your next pastor – or, perhaps, your next bishop. Make sure you form him well. And you will be forming future husbands and wives, priests and religious women. You are forming the future of your Church,” he said.
Bishop Malesic said it’s important to find time to pray daily and meditate on the Lord. “Never take your vocation for granted. Work hard to ensure time for daily prayer in our home, car or office. Make prayer an integral part of your life’s routine always remembering to give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy and kindness endure forever.” This little change will make a big difference in how they joyfully approach the day, he added
“If you get tired, just remember that Jesus, the best teacher, is with you in the classroom. Let him help you along the way,” he said.
In his keynote address, Father Ference told the group that he’s not afraid to take a risk, to try something new or different and maybe to fail. “After all, Jesus fell three times on the way to Calvary,” he said.
He talked about how Mary accepted God’s fiat, saying her “soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” He said she accepted her mission with joy, something we need to model. “Pope Francis says an evangelizer should never look like someone on the way back from a funeral.”
He embraced his new mission from Bishop Malesic and said he’s trying to figure out how to do it, acknowledging that he like to get moving and try something new.
As a graduate of Incarnate Word Academy and Holy Name High School, he never thought about being a priest until after high school. His high school chaplain influenced him, he said, recalling that he was joyful, normal, had friends. “He served with gladness and joy and I wanted to be like him.”
We’re not perfect, Father Ference said. “Jesus showed us his wounds after his resurrection and said show me yours so he can heal them.”
He reflected on Pope Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel,” saying that the joy fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. “That joy is constantly born anew with Christ,” he said, adding that the Eucharist makes the Church young and new again.
There is a danger that believers, even those in ministry, can become stale, he said, asking each of them to be mindful of this and to make time to pray daily, “as Bishop Malesic said.” As someone who loves to exercise in order to “get the wiggles out,” he said prayer is a form of spiritual exercise. It’s important to make time to encounter Jesus every day, he added. Pope Francis tells us that no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord, he said.
At the end of Mass, as we are dismissed, we are told to “Go in peace glorifying the Lord,” he said. “I received the Lord and now I want to go out and spread the message.” But we must ask ourselves if we’re willing to go beyond our comfort zone, Father Ference said, noting that Pope Francis said evangelizers must “take on the smell of the sheep.”
“We’re sent to take what we’ve been given and to go out into the world and share it,” he said. The sacraments are gifts and we must pass them on. He told the group not to stay in their comfort zone, being afraid to share the gift of their faith. “That’s how the Gospel gets trapped,” he added.
Father Ference said Mary Magdalene is the patron saint for his new mission. He noted how devoted she was to Jesus and he chose to revel himself to her after his resurrection, even though at first she didn’t recognize him, thinking he was the gardener.
“In fact, he was. He prepared her heart for the message and he wants to do that for us, too, weeding, cultivating and mulching our souls.”
He concluded his address with a Prayer for the Evangelization of Peoples.
The educators and ministers joined in breakout sessions before gathering for a picnic lunch and entertainment by the Archbishop Hoban High School Steel Drum Band under the direction of Ron Martin.