I am so happy to be here tonight. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” Bishop Edward Malesic told about 50 Grafton Correctional Institution inmates as he celebrated Mass for them on Dec. 19, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. It was his first visit to the minimum/medium security prison that houses about 1,600 men.
Father Joe Robinson, Catholic chaplain at Grafton Correctional, and Father Dan Schlegel, vicar for clergy and religious, concelebrated the liturgy and Deacon John Rivera assisted. Sister Rita
Mary Harwood, SND, the recently retired head of the Parish Life and Development Secretariat for the Diocese of Cleveland, also attended. Her ministry included working with the incarcerated.
The bishop told the inmates about Holy Infant Parish in Pennsylvania, where he was pastor before becoming the bishop of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. They built a new church and wanted to take some sacred items from the old church to be used in the new one, including a huge marble altar that needed to be made smaller. Someone recommended using a firm called Big House Industries – which consisted of prison inmates – for the job.
“They did a beautiful job,” he said, reminding the men that they have something to offer.
The altar and ambo used for Mass at Grafton Correctional Institution were crafted by inmates in the prison woodshop.
“I think of going to Mass in a monastery when I’m here,” he said. “Think of this as a community of prayer. Open yourselves to the Lord.”
The bishop noted the inmates found ways to contribute during the pandemic by making more than 40,000 face masks that were donated to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland. They also grew a variety of vegetables in a large garden, donating them to Catholic Charities for use at the hunger centers.
“I thank you on behalf of the Diocese of Cleveland and those who use the hunger centers, he told the inmates gathered for Mass.
An admitted Star Wars fan, Bishop Malesic recalled when Yoda was trying to teach Luke Skywalker patience. He said we should be more like Jesus. “Be silent. God throws tests your way. Pick up the cross and move forward.”
Mary accepted a cross when she agreed to be Jesus’ mother, something that brought her both great love and pain. She gave up her plans in order to carry and bear Jesus for us. “So did Joseph,” he added. “It was great love, not self-serving but self-emptying love,” he explained.
Soon after learning of her pregnancy, Mary went to help her cousin Elizabeth, who also was expecting a child – John the Baptist. “When the baby in her womb heard Mary’s voice, he leaped with joy because he knew she was carrying Jesus. Without Mary, we wouldn’t have had Jesus. Mary takes us through Advent and leads us to her son,” the bishop said.
“Remember, when you’re in a dark place, let Mary bring peace and love to you.”
One of the inmates asked the bishop to bless a rosary before Mass. He encouraged the men to keep a rosary close by, telling them his advice is to “get close to Mary and she will bring you to Jesus. She always has his ear.”
He also told the men that when they receive Communion, they become tabernacles of the Lord, who lives in their hearts. Mary also was a tabernacle because she carried Jesus. “Take Christ with you; be like Mary. If you want to give Jesus, you must know him and have him.”
Time is a gift, the bishop said, advising the men to use it wisely. “Read Scripture, pray, learn to be holy. Mary is with us today. This room is filled with angels and saints. If we had special ‘spiritual glasses,’ we could see how many angels and saints are packed into this room,” Bishop Malesic said.
“God unites us. You may be sad that you can’t be with your family for Christmas, but remember that God is with you and he unites us. There are many signs of life here,” the bishop said, reminding the men, “you’re a life and you are loved. Never fall into the devil’s trap. Never fail to realize what Jesus did for you out of love. There is a place for all of us in this world. I’ll pray for you and I ask you to also pray for me. You support me in my faith and I need your support,” he added.