In 1922, Warren G. Harding was president of the United States. Lakewood, which achieved city status in 1911, was growing quickly and had a population of more than 40,000. By 1930, it surpassed 70,000.
During this period of unprecedented growth in Lakewood, Bishop Joseph Schrembs, who had been appointed bishop of Cleveland in 1921, recognized the need for additional parishes to serve the growing Catholic population. SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish (now Transfiguration) had been established in 1903 and St. James in 1908. In 1922, Bishop Schrembs founded two additional parishes, St. Clement on April 27, 1922, and St. Luke.
St. Clement celebrated its first Mass in the lower level of the new church building on Christmas Day 1922. The upper church was completed in time for Mass on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1923.
Bishop Edward Malesic visited St. Clement Parish on Pentecost -- June 5 -- to kick off the parish’s yearlong centennial celebration. He celebrated Mass with Father Joseph Workman, assisted by Deacon Danny Bryan.
(See photo gallery above.)
“I am so happy to be here,” he told parishioners. “There is so much to celebrate and remember,” he said, noting many happy and sad occasions including funerals, weddings and sacraments, were celebrated in the parish during its first 100 years.
“Your faith was born, tested and grown here,” he added.
The bishop noted that his emcee for the day, Deacon Matt Lawler, was a former St. Clement parishioner and his oldest son was baptized in the church, so it was a homecoming of sorts for him.
“As a parish, you proclaim Jesus Christ,” the bishop said. He also commended parishioners for their support of Lakewood Catholic Academy, created by a merger of the four parish schools in the city. This ongoing support of the parish, its mission and the school shows a way forward together, he added.
“Your mission statement says it all,” the bishop said. “As a Eucharistic community, we the people of St. Clement Parish believe the Lord is present among us and calls us to grow in his life. We commit ourselves to share that life in our love and concern for others.”
It is important to continue proclaiming Christ crucified, the bishop said, explaining he shows the way from darkness to light. “He shows us we must always move forward with him. Many people are needed to bring others closer to Christ with sharp focus.”
Referring to the celebration of Pentecost, the bishop talked about the many references to wind and the Holy Spirit in the Bible and Gospels. At creation, he said, “A wind from God swept through and God said, ‘Let there be light.’ That same wind sweeps through this chaos and it swept through the early Church,” he said. “We’re a spirited people. We breathe the spirit of God. We breathe in the Lord and when we open ourselves, he comes rushing in. It is the same breath that God used to breathe life into Adam. Even the dead can be revived with God’s mercy. The Holy Spirit allows us to say Jesus is Lord. The Holy Spirit taught us that,” the bishop added.
He said the Holy Spirit encourages us to give our lives to God. “Because of the Holy Spirit, we have the bread and wine transformed into the body and blood of Jesus. I often think the Holy Spirit is like the fire of our spiritual engines. Without that fire, we lack the desire to move forward with God. The Holy Spirit won’t let us stand still. Our hearts burn for God and his Spirit makes us reach out to others.”
The bishop read the poem “Pentecost” by William Blake: “Unless the eye catch fire, the God will not be seen. Unless the ear catch fire, the God will not be heard. Unless the tongue catch fire, the God will not be named. Unless the heart catch fire, the God will not be loved. Unless the mind catch fire, the God will not be known.”
“We must each be a spark that contributes to that fire. Jesus wants us to burn brightly,” Bishop Malesic said. “May our hearts burn bright and show others the way to Jesus. St. Clement, pray for us.”
Father Workman welcomed the bishop to St. Clement, noting Father Degratias Ruwaainenyi, who ministers as a hospital chaplain and is in residence at the parish, was visiting his family in Tanzania but sent his best wishes to the bishop. He also thanked the bishop for his visit despite the fact that his father died on June 3 and he is helping his family with funeral plans. The parish offered it condolences and prayers.
“This is a very spirited Church,” the bishop said. “As a celebrant, that is important.” He cautioned the congregation that faith is fragile and can be easy to lose, especially in our culture. He also noted there is a strong culture of vocations in the parish and he urged parishioners to continue supporting that, regardless if the vocation is to the priesthood, religious life, married life, consecrated or single life.
After Mass, the bishop greeted parishioners and enjoyed a picnic lunch provided by the Knights of Columbus under tents in the parish parking lot.