A century ago, philanthropist Caesar Grasselli donated his 7-acre summer estate in the country to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, providing the foundation for what today is called Rose-Mary, a ministry enriching the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Grasselli, 1850-1927, and his wife Johanna purchased the 12-room home in Euclid Village in 1904. His wife, who had been disabled for several years, died a few years later, in 1910. Grasselli donated the home he called Three Gables and the surrounding land to the diocese in memory of his wife to create a convalescent home for children with crippling disabilities. The facility was named Rose-Mary after the Blessed Mother and for the beautiful rose gardens Johanna Grasselli developed behind the home. Grasselli continued to visit the home weekly until his death, often providing additional equipment and furnishings.
The Sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary operated Rose-Mary. The first resident was an orphan named Polly who had crippling injuries and impaired vision. At the first Mass on Oct. 15, 1922, Polly was baptized Rosemary Smith by Cleveland Bishop Joseph Schrembs.
In 1943, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Delaney donated their property, which was adjacent to the former Grasselli summer estate, to diocese. It was incorporated into the plans for Rose-Mary’s expansion.
Bishop Edward Hoban officiated at a groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 21, 1947 for construction of a new building connecting the former Grasselli and Delaney homes. Then new building, which housed 48 children, was dedicated May 15, 1949.
Rose-Mary updated its mission to care for children with developmental disabilities in 1967. Fifteen years later, the campus was expanded with a new structure to accommodate 40 children. It was connected to the main building by enclosed walkways. The original building was used for a school program.
The mission expanded 1985-2005 when Rose-Mary contracted with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities to operate group homes for adults moving out of state developmental centers. Rose-Mary also began operating seven intermediate care facilities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1996, Rose-Mary also began providing adult day services.
As services evolved, so did Rose-Mary. In 2000, it began providing home and community based waiver services to individuals living in their own homes.
In 2016, Homes for Our Future, the community integration project, was completed with four intermediate care facility homes for children and four waiver homes opened. The last child moved out of the old Rose-Mary facility on Dec. 16, 2016 and the ministry was rebranded Rose-Mary.
Five of the intermediate care facility homes were purchased by Rose-Mary from CCBDD and continue to provide services to those living in the homes. An additional intermediate care facility opened in 2021, as Rose-Mary began planning to celebrate its centennial.
Bishop Edward Malesic celebrated a Mass recently in St. Augustine Church in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood to mark the centennial. Rose-Mary’s offices are located just a block from the church and the two entities maintain a relationship since St. Augustine hosts a number of ministries for those with disabilities. Concelebrating the liturgy was Father Bill O’Donnell, St. Augustine pastor, assisted by Deacon Ray Daull.
“What an honor it is to gather and give thanks to God for a remarkable operation – Rose-Mary – that has been providing loving service for children and adults in our community for 100 years,” the bishop said. “There is something extraordinary about the work of an organization that stands the test of time. In the case of Rose-Mary, yours has helped people of all abilities feel secure, connected, understood and loved. And, as Scripture reminds us, God is love and where there is love, there is God.”
The bishop commended Rose-Mary staff, past and present for its continuing commitment to provide compassionate and loving care for children and adults with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities or behavioral needs. “Your work is exceedingly difficult as your embrace those individuals who others are hesitant to help or who do not have the advanced skills needed for optimum care,” he said.
“While others might turn away, Rose-Mary has always been there – like a rock – for children and adults, for parents and their families, all of whom have benefited from the tireless and highly skilled loving care provided by compassionate caregivers, teachers, behavioral therapists, patient advocates and many others who work together helping those in their care to become the best version of themselves they can be. Rose-Mary is so special that way,” Bishop Malesic noted.
As Catholics, we believe that life is one of the most precious gifts from God and caring for those with multiple disabilities is an extension of God’s grace, advocating and caring for those who cannot do so themselves, honoring and celebrating each unique, previous gift of life, he added.
The bishop noted that Rose-Mary’s mission aligns with the Beatitudes, which were part of the day’s Gospel. “That’s the goodness of Rose-Mary – quietly managing the everyday challenges of caring for a child or adult with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities or behavioral needs. Yours is not an organization at the top of the mind of many people but yours is is one of overwhelming responsibility and which is best understood by someone who has a loved one – a child or adult – with a serious disability. Rose-Mary is here for them,” he said.
The bishop said he recently met a woman who told him how important Rose-Mary was to her and her family, explaining that her son had extreme developmental problems since his birth. She and her husband had struggled to care for him until someone mentioned Rose-Mary. There, he was cared for until his death. She expressed her gratitude for Rose-Mary and told the bishop she didn’t know what she would have done without it.
Pope Francis assured those with disabilities that the Church is their home, adding, “the Church loves you and needs each of you for the fulfillment of her mission at the service of the Gospel.” The bishop said Rose-Mary is a truly special manifestation of that love.
“Be assured that you are climbing the mountain of the Beatitudes and that God is shining his face on all of you. Congratulations on 100 years of love at Rose-Mary, the Gospel in action,” the bishop said.
After Mass, he greeted Rose-Mary administrators and staff before spending time with them at brunch.
“This is a team effort,” said Gina Kernan, Rose-Mary executive director, speaking about the ministry. “These things wouldn’t happen without lots of help,” she added, expressing her thanks to the diocese, Catholic Charities, CCBDD, the staff, families, benefactors and others who make Rose-Mary’s work possible.
For more information on Rose-Mary, visit rmcle.org, call 216-481-4823 or email info@rmcle.org.