The day was cold and rainy, but the welcome was warm at Benedictine High School in Cleveland when Bishop Edward Malesic visited to chat with students and celebrate Mass on Oct. 18.
He met with a group of students and a few faculty members and monks in the abbey parlor before Mass. They talked about the school, their aspirations and a variety of other topics.
St. Andrew Svorad Abbey, home of the Benedictine Order of Cleveland which sponsors the all-boys’ high school, is celebrating its centennial this year. BHS will mark its 100th anniversary in 2027. In connection with the dual centennials, a capital campaign is underway to finance renovations and improvements to the campus and monastery.
Welcoming the bishop was Ryan Ryzner, ’95, BHS president. “You are always welcome here,” he said.
“I am so happy to be here with you this morning,” the bishop told the student body, faculty and staff who gathered in the abbey church for the liturgy.
“I’ve heard so much about you from Deacon Ed Gardias, my assistant today,” the bishop said, explaining that Deacon Gardias is a 1977 BHS alumnus. “Wherever I go, men come up to me and say, ‘Bishop, I’m a proud graduate of Benedictine.’ Someday, I hope you will be as proud and graduated, too – a man of Benedictine,” he added.
“A high school student was once asked what he wanted to get out of school. His answer was short and precise. ‘Exactly that. I want to get out of school,’” the bishop quipped, telling the students, “Don’t be in such a rush. It will come soon enough. In fact, it will come too fast. Seniors, this year you are on top of the world. Next year, you will be starting all over again. Don’t worry. You will be prepared. You will be graduates of Benedictine High School.”
Bishop Malesic advised them to let God be their strength, strength to persevere. “God will send you many places, but remember that you never go alone. You go with God. And you also go with each other.”
He told the students they should try to figure out what God wants from them, noting he has a unique plan for each of them. “You are not here by coincidence. Not all of you will be engineers, not all of you will be artists, not all of you will be social workers or doctors like St. Luke, whose feast we celebrate today. But all of you should be members of the Body of Christ. Listen to him when he calls to you.”
Know that God is calling you to be his disciples, he told them, noting they are called by name. “But sometimes we don’t take enough time to stop and hear his voice,” the bishop said.
They also are being prepared to be saints, he said, explaining their ultimate destination is heaven.
“You are blessed to be here in this place, at this time, with these people around you. Receive the gifts that God wants to give you. Of course, to receive any gift, you must be open to it. A gift can’t be given to someone with closed hands. 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 also expressed thanks to their parents and benefactors who are making sacrifices so they can attend Benedictine. “Let them know how grateful I am that they have given you this opportunity,” he added.
“Finally, I want you to know that when you let Jesus into your life, you will change, Do not be afraid to let Jesus change you into the man or woman that you are meant to be. But again, be patient, because change takes time.”
The bishop reminded them that Jesus calls people like the – and himself – because they aren’t perfect, but they are his. “And he cares for each of us,” he said, adding, “And that is good news for all of us. Go, Bengals.”
After Mass, in recognition of the students’ successful pop collection – they amassed 5,000 cans -- for Malachi House, the bishop announced they would have a free day on Oct. 21. The news was met with applause.
He also greeted students as they left the church to return to the school building for lunch and classes,