Members of the Cleveland Legatus Chapter paid tribute to their longtime chaplain, Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries, during the group’s September meeting.
The celebration began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic at St. Michael Church in Independence before members and guests moved to Lockkeeper’s restaurant in Valley View for a dinner program. Bishop Gries, Father John Mullee, St, Michael’s pastor, and Father Patrick Schultz, the new Legatus chaplain, concelebrated the Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Malesic noted that Bishop Gries, who entered the Benedictine Order of Cleveland at age 20, embraced the Benedictine spirituality of St. Benedict who said, “Idleness is the enemy of the soul.”
“Bishop Gries has certainly conquered the enemy of idleness because, as everyone knows, his life is one of perpetual motion, of dedication to the faith, to the poor, the disabled and so many other people and essential causes across our diocese. Like a golf ball hit off the tee, his life is a blur. He slows down when he spends time with people. I say that because he is also a friend to me and to all of us. Thank you, bishop, for welcoming me to Cleveland two years ago. I am grateful to you,” Bishop Malesic said.
He recalled highlights of Bishop Gries’ life, noting he professed his vows as a monk in 1957, was ordained to the priesthood in 1963, earned a master’s degree, served Benedictine High School a teacher coach, bus driver, principal and president for nearly 40 years. He also served 20 years as abbot before Pope John Paul II appointed him as auxiliary bishop of Cleveland in 2001.
Ten years ago, when he turned 75, Bishop Gries submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI, as required by Church law. Nineteen months later, Pope Francis accepted his resignation. However, he continued to serve the diocese, including two decades as chaplain for the Cleveland Legatus chapter.
Bishop Malesic said he looked back on what he called Bishop Gries’ “legacy of achievement and self-giving in the diocese and the results are staggering.” In fact, a search of the diocesan website turned up story after story of Bishop Gries celebrating countless Masses, confirming thousands of young people, commending the souls of many priests and deacons to their final rest, participating in thousands of special celebrations, major events and much more – even in retirement,
“He saw the need in our diocese for a helpmate to the diocesan bishop, and as always, Bishop Roger made himself available to Bishop (Richard) Lennon, Bishop (Nelson) Perez and me, even in his retirement,” Bishop Malesic said. He noted Bishop Gries’ prayers were answered last month when Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost was ordained.
Bishop Gries is a man of many talents, the bishop quipped, noting he “never met a golf outing he didn’t like,” and used one of his favorite pastimes to raise funds for many worthy causes – even though he wasn’t always a good golfer.
“I think it is providential that we gather to honor Bishop Roger on the feast of St. Matthew the apostle and evangelist (Sept. 21),” Bishop Malesic said, pointing out that Matthew was one of the 12 apostles, he had been a tax collector and he accompanied Jesus up to the time of his Passion. He also was a witness to the Resurrection, was with the apostles who were present at the Ascension and later traveled to Jerusalem to be with Mary.
“But what is striking from the Gospel reading today is the absolute speed and faithfulness at which Matthew dropped everything and followed Jesus,” the bishop said, noting Jesus calls all of us in the same way, inviting us to follow him and be a true disciple, living a life in imitation of him, always putting others first “in a full-throttle manifestation of self-sacrificing love. That’s Bishop Roger’s life as a successor of the apostles.”
The bishop said Legatus members also answer the call of Jesus like St. Matthew did, through their “unflinching Catholic witness of your business, personal and professional lives. Heaven knows that our country today needs Catholic leaders who put their faith into action because Jesus asks us to do it. Thanks to the leadership and the entire membership of our Legatus chapter for living out your desire to evangelize our culture and the good work you do in building up the Body of Christ in our diocese,” he said.
After Mass, the group made the short trip to Lockkeeper’s, where they celebrated Bishop Gries, his contributions to the organization of Catholic business leaders and the personal way he impacted many of their lives. A slide show played throughout dinner with photos from Bishop Gries’ life. The photos were included in a memory book he received from the group.
Nate Wine, regional vice president of the national Legatus organization, presented Bishop Gries with “bookends of life” in thanksgiving for his years of service to the local chapter. In addition, he noted that Bishop Gries recently returned to St. Andrew Abbey, where he was provided with living quarters and an office. Legatus members purchased a new recliner chair for him.
“We opted to toast, not roast him,” said Jerry Cirino, Legatus governor. The bishop also received a commendation from the Ohio Senate.
Maria and Brian Dean noted that Legates, as the members are known, are asked to be ambassadors for Christ in the workplace. “The bishop (Gries) is good all the time and all the time he is good,” they said, borrowing and adapting a favorite statement of Bishop Gries. “You’re a wonderful shepherd,” they added, recalling his devotion to pro-life causes and his memorable remarks to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in 2016. They also fondly recalled how Bishop Gries helped their son when he was struggling and guided him back to the faith. He witnessed their children’s weddings and prayed for their daughter, helping her overcome health challenges, they added.
Past president Rick and Angie Coyne thanked Bishop Gries “for being a friend, spiritual leader and our rock.”
Umberto Fedeli, founder of the Cleveland chapter, recalled having 220 people at his home for the group’s first meeting. Soon after, the chapter formed. He also shared a story about how when President George Bush was coming to Cleveland there was an effort to get an inner-city minister to offer grace and a blessing. Fedeli arranged for the bishop to handle the blessing/grace, but he was told there would be no dinner or photo for him. Fedeli bristled and said if the bishop couldn’t stay for dinner and get a photo with the president, he wouldn’t offer the blessing. Needless to say, the officials relented.
Bishop Gries thanked the group for their support and told them it was wonderful “to stand around the altar and to be nourished with the body and blood of Christ.” He also thanked his secretary of 31 years, Cheryl Zelenka, for her assistance and support.
He noted how he treasured his relationships with the organization and its members. “It’s important to be there for one another. We’re all called to be ambassadors for the Church and for Jesus Christ.”
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