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Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th anniversary

News of the Diocese

February 23, 2023

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain celebrates new pastor, 125th  anniversary

The church was gleaming, the music soaring and the congregation and pastor beaming as Bishop Edward Malesic began Mass in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lorain.

The parish’s Polish heritage was evident as representatives of the ethnic community processed into the church wearing their native garb. The bishop was presented with a loaf of bread and some salt, a traditional Polish welcome.

“What a joyful day this is,” Bishop Malesic said, noting it was a double celebration: installation of Father Craig Hovanec as the 17th pastor and the 125th anniversary of the parish.

(See photo gallery above.)

Concelebrating the Jan. 28 liturgy were Father Hovanec, who also is pastor of St. Peter Parish in Lorain (an Italian parish); Father Joe Hilinski, pastor of St. Barbara Parish in Cleveland and a former parochial vicar at Nativity; Father Bob Sanson, a retired priest who assists as a weekend associate; and Father Gerald Keller, retired pastor of St. Adalbert Parish in Berea and a son of Nativity Parish. Deacon Robert Dybo, retired deacon of the parish, assisted with the Mass.

In the sacristy prior to Mass, Father Hovanec and the bishop signed the papers making his position as pastor official. He had been parish administrator since the retirement and death last summer of the previous pastor, Father Robert Glepko, who was remembered fondly at the Mass. Father Glepko’s chalice, which was bequeathed to the parish by his family, was used for the Mass.

“It is an awesome responsibility to be the pastor here and at St. Peter’s,” Father Hovanec said.

He shared a story about a chicken farmer who one day found an egg that was very different. It hatched and although it wasn’t a chicken, it took on a chicken’s characteristics. The bird – which actually was not aware it was an eagle -- would watch as the eagles soared in the sky, telling the other chickens he wanted to do that. One of the chickens reminded him that wasn’t how chickens acts.

“Our gifts sometimes hold us back,” Father Hovanec said, noting some people are reticent to become lectors or to take on other positions because they think they don’t have those gifts. “We must embrace the gifts God gives us, let them unfold and then we’ll see them.”

The Gospel shared the story of the Beatitudes and Father Hovanec noted that as people of faith, we are called to eternal greatness through our prayer life. Fed by God’s grace, he said we are going forward and embarking on a Eucharistic Revival. He encouraged the faithful to embrace their blessings and to continue allowing them to unfold.

“The Church is here for the broken, not the perfect,” he said, noting he isn’t a perfect pastor, but that’s what being a part of a family is all about – embracing and accepting each other with our shortcomings.

Father Hovanec said the parish founders were Polish immigrants who came seeking jobs and freedom. Many found work in Lorain’s newly opened steel mill. “But the first thing they did was build a church,” he said, noting the parish was established in 1898.

Nativity parishioners worshiped for a short time in the basement of St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain before building the first wooden church and school in 1900. The parish grew so rapidly that the current church was built in 1914, with many parishioners helping. The church was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day 1915.

Father Hovanec said he gives thanks to God “for the gift of life, the gift of his Son who died, rose and opened the gates of heaven so we could all be saved. I pray that one day we can spend eternity in the presence of that love.”

After Mass, Bishop Malesic briefly recapped the parish history and reminded the congregation that a pastor has many duties and that he “is the beating heart of the parish.”

But he said the most important thing to remember is that we don’t need beautiful churches to worship God. “We need beautiful hearts. The best pastor can find Jesus in his people and he serves them. Nativity cares. Good for you. Keep it going. The world needs more witnesses to the Catholic Christian faith in action. And remember, don’t look to your pastor – or your bishop – to save the Church. We have a savior – Jesus – and that’s his job. Don’t pray to change God’s mind, pray to change your mind to be one with God. Appreciate your priests and continue to support them,” he added. In addition, he also reminded them that their parish is a great treasure, a gift from God and if they keep it a secret, it will die with them.

“Help Father Craig do this ministry. And pray for more priests. All of us must be evangelists,” the bishop said.

After Mass, parishioners and guests went to The Shipyards, a nearby party/meeting venue on the Black River that formerly was the Cleveland Shipbuilding Co., a precursor to the America Shipbuilding Co. The historic, renovated building is the same vintage as Nativity Parish.

About 400 people enjoyed videos, photos, swapping stories and memories, music, drinks and dinner.

John Malanowski was chairperson of the 125th anniversary committee.

Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley presented Father Hovanec with proclamation and two members of City Council – Mary Springowski, who is a parishioner, and Cory Shawver – presented a council resolution.

Father Gary Chmura, pastor of Our Lady of Peace and St. Adalbert parishes in Cleveland and a former Nativity parochial vicar, also shared fond memories of his time at the parish – his first assignment after his priestly ordination.

Father Keller offered the benediction.

Although it’s important to acknowledge and learn from the past, Father Hovanec told those gathered for the gala that “as people of faith, we must move forward. We’ve been given this gift from God and we must build on it and move into the future. There are lots of souls that still need saving.”

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