As he continues getting acquainted with the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland, Bishop Edward Malesic stopped by Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland on Sept. 21. It was his first visit to the campus and he admired the setting.
Scanning the students who assembled in the gym for Mass, the bishop told them they were an impressive group. “I am jealous because you are so young … You bring back good memories of my own high school years. They were fun and challenging,” he said.
Looking for the seniors, the bishop gave them some advice, telling the group, “This is your last year – at least hopefully your last year. Make the most of it and be good examples for those who come after you.”
He encouraged the sophomores and juniors to see their time at VASJ as a gift. “Sometimes it might not seem like it, but time is God’s gift to us. He wants us to use the gift well. Use the time to learn, to grow, to be challenged, to know who you are as a child of God, to receive God’s love and learn how to share it with others.”
He told the freshmen to take the time to grow. “Listen to people who are wiser than you are. There are plenty of them here.”
The entire community also was given some advice as the bishop said, “At the end of the day, make sure you root yourself in the things of God.” He said St. Paul had some good suggestions when he said to be humble, gentle, patient and bear with one another out of love.”
He also urged the students to learn to reject the cynicism of the world. “Believe that this world can be a better place and you have been given gifts from God that you can use to make it a better place. Reject the divisions of the world St. Paul tells us today to preserve the unity of the Spirit. More can be accomplished together than alone. Learn to work as a team in sports, in choir, in life,” the bishop said.
Life is a gift from God, he told the VASJ community and life is good. “Your life is a gift to us and your life is good for us,” he added.
The students were encouraged to support each other. The bishop said VASJ is the community God gave them so they could develop the wings of youth and fly as young eagles. “Or, should I say, VASJ will give you the sails to catch the spirit of God, like the Vikings who set sail upon the seas. Be prepared to be good Vikings who explore the world and conquer it not with violence, but with God’s care and peace.”
He also told them to try and figure out what God wants from each of them. All of them should be members of the body of Christ and they should listen when he calls them.
The bishop said each of them has a purpose and they are here because God has a plan for them. “You are not just a bunch of molecules that happened to get together by coincidence. No, you are much more than that. Know that God is calling you to be his disciple, his follower,” he said, reminding them they must listen to God’s voice because he calls each of them by name. “But sometimes we don’t take enough time to stop and hear his voice,” he added.
The VASJ faculty and staff are preparing the students not only for college, but also to be saints. “The ultimate destination for all of us is heaven. You should know the way to heaven. Jesus is the way. Follow him and let him be your guide, your mentor, your inspiration and your help,” he said.
He reminded the students they are blessed to be at VASJ and that they should receive the gifts God wants to give them. However, to do so, they must be open to it. A gift can’t be given to someone with closed hands, the bishop said, and an education can’t be given to someone with a closed mind. “And God can’t come to someone with a closed heart. Let yourself be loved by God, the bishop said.
He thanked Tom Carone, president, and Lorenzo Jones, principal, as well as the rest of the faculty, staff, parents, board of advisors and benefactors for the sacrifices they made because of their love of education. “Teaching is a vocation for them, not just a job,” he added.
The same is true of their parents and others who sacrifice so the students can attend VASJ.
The bishop also had some final advice for the students, telling them that when they let Jesus into their lives, they will change, as will everything around them. “Do not be afraid to let Jesus change you into the man or woman you are meant to be,” he said, cautioning them to be patient because change takes time.
“We aren’t perfect, but we are his, after all, and he cares for each of us. And that is good news for all of us,” he said.
After Mass, the bishop saw part of the school before heading into a meeting room dedicated to Villa Angela Academy, the all-girls school nearby that merged with St. Joseph High School, the all-boys school, in 1990 at the St. Joseph location
There, a select group of students enjoyed some light refreshments and conversation with the bishop before heading back to class.