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Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm

News of the Diocese

September 8, 2022

Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm
Rain cancels St. Rocco procession but doesn’t dampen parishioners’ enthusiasm

St. Rocco Parish on Cleveland’s West Side celebrated the conclusion of its centennial year with a Mass on Sept. 4 and the traditional Labor Day weekend festival. However, the festival was a drive-thru event once again.

A procession through the neighborhood with the statue of St. Rocco in a place of honor had been planned, but a steady rain forced its cancelation.

“St. Rocco is old – about 100 years – and he’s made of plaster, so it’s too risky to take him out in the rain,” said Father James Mayer, O de M, pastor. “He’s too important to us to lose.” Instead, he announced after Mass on Sept. 4 that the statue would be placed in the doorway of the church so he could look outside and the faithful could see him. Members of the Holy Name High School band, who planned to march in the procession, performed on the church steps.

(See photo gallery above.)

Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, who celebrated the 10 a.m. Mass, told parishioners it was an honor to be with them to observe the close of their centennial year. Ironically, the parish’s roots are older since it was established without the blessing of the Diocese of Cleveland.

Italian immigrants who settled in the neighborhood launched a street festival, procession and Mass in 1914 -- 108 years ago, the bishop said. “They wanted to formalize their community and establish a parish with an Italian priest, which they did independent of the diocese,” he said. Bishop Joseph Schrembs learned of the fledgling parish by accident after a letter inquiring about an overdue bill arrived at diocesan offices. The bishop agreed to recognize the parish and the Mercedarian friars have been ministering there since 1924.

“This parish came from the faith of the people,” Bishop Woost said. “These are your roots. You are celebrating the formalization of the establishment of this parish, which is a source of faith and charity in this West Side neighborhood.”

The bishop told the faithful they are “possessed by Christ and express your faith through this community of faith. It is not simply about remembering the past, but looking forward to the future and what you will bring and do so people will see and remember this community of faith in another 100 years.”

Bishop Woost also recounted the story of St. Rocco’s life, noting his prominent parents had trouble conceiving and prayed to God that he would give them a child. He did, but by age 20, both of St. Rocco’s parents had died. Rather than accept the position of authority left to him by his father. St. Rocco passed it to his uncle and he joined the Third Order of St. Francis, intending to spend his life as a pilgrim, “seeking the presence of God and being the presence of God for others,” the bishop said.

He noted the 14th century was a time of upheaval and illness, especially the Bubonic plague or Black Death. St. Rocco always volunteered to work with the sick and pray for them, putting himself at great risk. He healed many and is known as the patron saint of those afflicted by plague. Father Mayer said many prayed to St. Rocco during the recent coronavirus pandemic.

The statue of St. Rocco has a dog near his feet and he is pointing to a wound on his leg caused by the plague. When he became ill, rather than have others care for him, he went into the woods. However, God provided a stream and a dog brought him bread daily from a rich man’s table. Curious to see where his dog went, the man followed him into the woods and discovered the ill St. Rocco. He brought the saint to his manor and cared for him.

Later, St. Rocco decided to return to his hometown, but no one recognized him and he was imprisoned. As he neared death, the townspeople finally realized who he was and they began calling him a saint, the bishop said.

“He is hailed as one of the greatest saints of Italy. The early Italian immigrants brought their devotion to St. Rocco to Cleveland,” the bishop added. He said what has been done at the parish and beyond could not have happened without the mighty acts of God working in your midst. We stand in awe of what we’ve seen God do for 100 years and can trust he will be with us for another 100 years.”

The bishop blessed the congregation with a relic of St. Rocco before his statue was moved to the church doorway.

After Mass, Father Mayer introduced longtime parishioner Alfred Sforzo who was named the 2022 Il Padrone Della Festa (godfather of the festival).

As the parish begins its second century of service, Father Mayer said they are embarking on a capital project, building a new, $5.4 million, 18,000-square-foot building to house classrooms, administrative offices for the school, a cafeteria and gym. The new building replaces an older one that had major structural deficiencies. The old brick building was demolished last week and Father Meyer said he is hopeful the new facility will be open in the fall of 2023.

The new structure will allow the school, which is at capacity with about 155 students, to accommodate up to 270 children.

Click here for more information on St. Rocco Parish.

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