When St. John Cantius Parish was founded in 1898, Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood was a bustling community filled with working class immigrants, many of whom were Polish and worked in the nearby steel mills in the industrial Flats.
The first Mass was celebrated in a refurbished streetcar barn at Professor Street and College Avenue. The rear portion of the building was used as a school, a rectory and a residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph, who staffed the parish school.
In 1913, a new building that housed both a church and school was built, as well as a parish house and a convent. As the parish grew, a larger church was needed. The current church was built in 1925.
Three years ago, Father James Roach was named administrator of the parish, a role he had until Oct. 30, when Bishop Edward Malesic installed him as the ninth pastor of the parish.
The Mass began with a procession of Polish veterans and Knights of Columbus. Bishop Malesic was the principal celebrant. Father Roach and his seminary classmate Father Tim Gareau, pastor of St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village, concelebrated.
Father Roach welcomed the bishop to the parish and noted that some of the parish’s Polish heritage and traditions were incorporated into the celebration.
“After three years, you know me. I’ll keep things brief,” Father Roach quipped. “Besides, I have to celebrate Mass for the Browns tonight,” he said. This is his second year as Catholic chaplain for the city’s NFL team.
When named administrator, he said former Cleveland bishop and now Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez gave him some advice: “Don’t move the statues.” He followed that advice for a short time, but decided that restoration work was needed in the historic church, including statue renovation. Two statues have been restored. “There are 12 more to go,” he added. The church’s 100-year-old organ is being refurbished also, he said, noting the parish raised $230,000 for the project.
Reflecting on the Gospel, Father Roach said love of God and love for your neighbor are the most important commandments. “It’s all about people – the people of Jesus Christ. You mean the most to me. When I saw that this parish was open (the pastor position was vacant), I knew God was calling me here.”
When he arrived in 2018, there were about 300 families registered at St. John Cantius. That number has grown to more than 425.
Father Roach is working to improve the parish’s presence in the neighborhood, welcoming visitors during the monthly About Tremont events. He estimated at least 200 people stop in each time. “I want them to see what we have here, what the Polish immigrants left us.”
“It’s important to know where we came from and what was left to us by those hardworking immigrants. The Holy Spirit is at work here,” Father Roach said.
He read an excerpt from the parish history book written in 1998 for the 100th anniversary, when Tremont was experiencing a new growth of artists and restaurants. The authors noted that they expected the parish would grow, but the Polish influence would fade over time. However, they stressed the importance of reminding people of the parish origins.
“This church was built by poor, hardworking Polish immigrants for the greater glory of God,” Father Roach said. “It is a great privilege for me to serve as the ninth pastor. You’re welcome here anytime. May God bless St. John Cantius Parish and all here today.”
In keeping with the parish’s Polish roots, a celebratory song was sung in Polish after Communion and the congregation was invited to the school hall for a Polish dinner featuring stuffed cabbage and halushki (cabbage and noodles).
Bishop Malesic congratulated Father Roach on his installation and noted that “a good pastor is like the beating heart of the Church.” He said the earthly responsibilities of a pastor are important, but are secondary to his heavenly responsibilities.
“We don’t need beautiful churches to follow Jesus; we need beautiful hearts. My advice is to make your hearts as beautiful as this church building. Father Roach, I see you find Jesus in these people, in your flock. A pastor does many things. He brings the peace of Jesus to all. But as Pope Francis says, a pastor must get the smell of his sheep,” the bishop said.
He also reminded Father Roach to think about all those he has helped, but to remember that his role is not to be the savior of the Church. “That’s Jesus’ role. Always pray to him. His role is to save us.”
The bishop also asked the congregation to pray for not only more vocations, but that more people will fill the pews. “Jesus wants us to catch souls for him,” he said, adding that Pope Francis wants us to invite people to the Church.
“We have a treasure here and we need to share it. This parish is a great gift that was given to us and we must pass it on. We should be thankful we have a God who loves us so much that he gave himself to us,” Bishop Malesic said.
“And congratulations to Father Roach on finally being installed as pastor,” he said, as the congregation applauded.
For more information on St. John Cantius Parish, click here.