In 1905, Holy Name Parish in Cleveland established a mission for Catholics in the Bedford area: St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Land and labor were donated, and soon a combination church/school building was constructed on Paul Street. In 1921, Father John Hagan was appointed as the first pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish.
The community experienced dramatic growth during the next decade. Rising school enrollment necessitated a larger building, so the parish purchased a wood frame building and secured the Ursuline Sisters to staff the school.
Anticipating additional growth, land was purchased at Northfield Road and Union Street and in 1928, a new, larger church and school were built. The community also built a motherhouse for the Vincentian Sisters of Charity, the new teaching order at St. Mary School.
The parish continued to grow and was free of debt. In 1950, construction began on a new church. The first Mass was celebrated on Easter 1951. With growth continuing, the parish built another larger church – the current building – which was dedicated on June 21, 1970.
In 1993, the parish borrowed money to convert the old church into a library. The newly renovated building was dedicated Oct. 16, 1994.
Throughout its centennial year, memories of the parish history were shared in the weekly bulletin. The 100th anniversary year concluded on Dec. 4, when Bishop Edward Malesic visited to celebrate Mass. Concelebrants were Father Joe Seebauer, pastor; Father Isidore Munishi, AJ, pastoral assistant; Father Ed Estok, pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in North Royalton and a son of St. Mary’s; Father Frank Basa, senior parochial vicar, St. Bernard Parish in Akron and a son of St. Mary’s; Father Ed Schwet, parochial vicar, Holy Family Parish in Parma and a son of St. Mary’s; Father Dennis Kristancic, retired diocesan priest; and Father Tom Winkel, in residence at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in South Euclid. Father Estok, Father Basa and Father Schwet were ordained from the parish. Father Dennis Mrosso, AJ, who assists at St. Mary’s, was unable to participate.
“I am honored to be here as you celebrate the closing Mass of the founding of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish here in Bedford,” the bishop said. “Thanks to the lay staff, parish councils, volunteers, benefactors and of course, all the parishioners, for all you do for our Catholic faith and for gathering with me today around this altar of praise.”
He told the congregation much good has happened and continues to happen at the parish. “The sacraments are celebrated, the word is proclaimed and you continue to serve those most in need, whether as a parish or as individual members of the parish. Here, the body of Christ is given, sins are forgiven, our faithful departed are buried and God enters into our lives in a real way,” the bishop added.
He reminded those gathered that their faith is a gift handed on from one generation to the next, but said they must share it with others.
“Jesus sends us out to proclaim his good news. That’s not just the task of bishops and priests; it is also the task of parents and grandparents, workers and volunteers. Let people know the good that you have found in the Church. Here you have found Jesus. Here you receive Jesus. He wants to be given to others. Let them know he is here for them. Let the neighborhood know that we have someone to offer them – Jesus Christ himself,” Bishop Malesic said.
Our story begins with a Father who loves us. If we remember to be children of God and followers of Jesus, “You will not go wrong,” he said. However, the bishop said our story and our faith cannot be kept a secret. “Don’t let the walls of the church keep the message inside. No, we must all go and announce the Gospel of the Lord – be witnesses to Jesus and you will be rewarded by him.”
It’s important to set priorities in life, the bishop said, noting that sometimes we get it right and sometimes we get it wrong. The day’s readings refocus our attention in important things and the cry of St. John the Baptist to “make straight the way of the Lord,” should make us think. How does the coming of Jesus make a difference in my life? How has my relationship with Jesus changed me?
“To take the time, to ask the right questions, to test the quality of our faith is important,” the bishop said, noting Jesus told us if we believe in him, we will live forever. “That is the goal for all of us – to become saints. And how will we do that? By believing in Jesus.”
Faith is a gift and a virtue that needs work, the bishop said, explaining this is where our priorities lie. We can either want to know, love and live our Catholic faith – or not, he said. But at the heart of our faith is our belief in the God who saves us. “God must always be at the center of everything we do as Catholics,” the bishop said, adding that God wants us to have a good relationship with him. “He wants us to fill in the valleys, level the mountains and straighten the roads so that he can come to us and we can go to him.”
That means practicing what we believe: being more loving, more faithful to God and more Christian. “Ultimately, Jesus is the way. He is the highway to heaven and he tells us to go through the narrow gate. Perhaps he is telling us to slow down and not exceed the speed limit,” the bishop said. He noted that Advent should be less busy, quieter and a time to help us focus. “But all the ‘tinsel’ around us tends to catch our eyes and we lose sight of the real prize: Christ. Remember, it’s not too late to reprioritize. Again, there is that word that John the Baptist would use: ‘Repent,’” he added.
Advent is a good time to do what the bishop calls “spiritual roadwork” as we prepare for the coming of Jesus on Christmas.
“Then, when we come across that immovable rock and that mountain that is just too large for us, we turn to the master builder and great leveler – God – and ask him to take care of this obstacle for us. He is a wonder worker, after all,” Bishop Malesic said.
After Mass, the bishop spent time greeting parishioners, posing for photos and enjoying refreshments and conversation.
Click here for more information on St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish.