About 60 priests, seminarians and men interested in information on a possible priestly vocation gathered recently at the Center for Pastoral Leadership for a casual evening that included Night Prayer, a presentation by Bishop Edward Malesic and a brief talk by Father Mike McCandless, diocesan vocation director.
The bishop shared his vocation story, explaining how he never intended to pursue the priesthood. But a series of events during college changed the trajectory of his life.
He told those gathered that he was the youngest of four siblings and the only one who never attended Catholic school. His parents both worked, so he was a latchkey kid, who came home after school, took the key from the milk box and let himself into the house.
“My parents weren’t overtly Catholic,” he said, explaining that they attended Mass weekly and expected him to do the same. During high school, he was exposed to other religions and recalled discussions with a teacher – who abandoned Catholicism a Mormon – and friends of other faiths. “We had lots of discussions about religion in trigonometry class,” he said, referring to conversations with friends who were an atheist, Methodist and evangelical Christian.
“But there was never a time that I didn’t believe in God,” he added.
He intended to pursue a biology degree in college and then to work in a medical technology laboratory in a hospital basement.
He dated several girls and said he fully expected to leave the Catholic Church at some point.
Acclimation to college life, including living in a dormitory, was stressful. Bishop Malesic said one day, the Gideons were handing out free Bibles and he took one. “For the first time, I really read the Bible and I began to realize that Jesus loved me and could relieve my burdens. He was never personal to me until then.”
After one semester, he began commuting to classes. He was a musician and played several instruments, so he took a part-time job playing the organ at the parish church. Once after attending a conference, he said the pastor and a religious sister asked him if he’d ever considered the priesthood. He had not, but decided to attend a retreat. It was during that retreat that he realized he was being called to the priesthood.
“Everyone’s call is different,” he told those gathered for the event.
If Jesus was calling him to follow him, how would he do that and which church was the one, true church? Those were some of the questions the bishop wrestled with while discerning his future. He said things always came back to Jesus.
“I realized he founded the Catholic Church – the one true Church. So my parents were right,” he quipped. “This is the one true Church, even with all of its wrinkles.”
His parents wanted to ensure he had something to fall back on in case things didn’t work out. But, after another year of college, they supported his decision to enter the seminary. He attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus and after ordination, returned to his home diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Being a parish priest was all he wanted to do after ordination, the bishop said. He served at parishes and then was assigned to campus ministry. A few years later, the bishop asked him to study canon law. He worked in the diocesan tribunal and in parish ministry until being named bishop of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where he served for five years until his appointment as bishop of Cleveland last year.
“I’m here to stay,” he told the gathering.
He also said bonds are formed in the seminary that will last a lifetime. Also, he reminded the group that “we are happiest when we do what Jesus wants us to do. I firmly believe he wants me to be a priest. Congratulations for being here tonight,” he added.
Father McCandless introduced the priests in attendance and reminded the guests that Vocation Office, their pastors and others are ready to support them as they discern their vocation – whether that be the priesthood or something else.
The evening concluded with dinner, conversation and games on the quad.
Father McCandless said the Vocation Office would host other events, including retreats, for those with an interest in the priesthood.
For more information on the priesthood, click here or call 440-943-7631.