The sky was overcast but the sun tried to peek out as people entered Our Lady of Peace Church in Cleveland’s Shaker Square neighborhood. Among the faithful at the 11 a.m. Mass on May 7 were members of the Catholic Cross Bearers Motorcycle Ministry proudly wearing black leather jackets or vests with the Catholic Cross Bearers’ purple and white patch. They were there for Mass and for the annual blessing of the bikes afterward.
In the church, Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries, OSB greeted the congregation.
In his homily, he reflected on John’s Gospel in which Jesus tells the apostles he is going to prepare a place for them and he will come back for them. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father,” he said.
As a monk at the nearby St. Andrew Abbey that shares a campus with Benedictine High School, the bishop said he was familiar with the grounds. But when he was ordained a bishop in 2001, he had to learn his way around the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland, so he purchased a Garmin global positioning system. Over the years, that GPS helped him find his way to many parishes in the diocese.
“Jesus is our GPS, our ‘God Positioning System,’” the bishop said. “He shows us the way. We need to trust that voice to find our way. We all have the same ultimate destination – to touch the face of God. He rose on Easter to show us three is life after death. Jesus is our GPS and he will bring us safely home to God,” he added.
After Mass, the Cross Bearers headed across the street to the parking lot in front of the old Our Lady of Peach School building where their motorcycles were parked in a cluster. Father Gary Chmura, OLP pastor, met them, chatting with the bikers as he prepared to bless their motorcycles.
Father Chmura offered some brief prayers and walked around the motorcycles sprinkling them with holy water, blessing them and praying for the riders’ safety.
Eric Wardrum, president and founder of the Cross Bearers, said the group is about 15 years old. He is an OLP parishioner and said Father Chmura has become the group’s spiritual leader.
Members must be baptized Catholic Christians who ride a street legal motorcycle or the spouse of a riding member. They must be obedient to the teachings of the Church, the pope and the bishops, attend Mass regularly and be active in the life of the Church as well as be dedicated to the Cross Bearers’ mission and strive to be holy – set apart for God.
Members often wear their colors at Church or parish events. Some attended the recent Catholic Men’s Conference.
“We perform spiritual and corporal works of mercy,” Wardrum said. “We meet people where they are.” Sometimes that means on the street, in a nursing home, hospital or even in a jail or prison.
“We pray with people on the street, we feed them and we connect them with resources like Catholic Charities to help with their needs,” Wardrum explained. “We plant the seeds to let them know that Jesus loves them. They may not believe it right away, but we trust in God that it will flourish in time.”
Another member summed up the ministry by saying, “We minister by image.”
Wardrum said sometimes the Cross Bearers partner with other groups that have similar goals because there is much work to be done.
After the blessing of the bikes, some of the members were heading to Painesville for the annual Louie Run, an event that honors bikers who have fallen over the years. Wardrum said the event – which helps raise awareness of motorcycle safety -- includes a parade, food and music. The Louie Run and blessing of the bikes traditionally take place during May, which is national Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
“It’s a good place to minister,” Wardrum said of the Louie Run, noting members carry cards with a prayer and contact information. Sometimes people will reach out to them later. “We’re always available. We pray to the Holy Spirit to help us so we are ready to accomplish the mission he has here for us.”
There are about 20 Cross Bearers scattered across Northern Ohio, Wardrum said. The group has several other chapters around the country and has an annual meeting. “A group even started recently in France,” he added.
They are planning a ride to Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue, Ohio June 15-17 and hope to have a Christian unity ride in the fall.