Many parishes throughout the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland are planning Eucharistic processions for June 11 in conjunction with the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi. Click here to see some of the parishes having processions.
All are also invited to participate in a Eucharistic procession and ballpark Mass beginning at 3:30 p.m. that day.
Adoration will take place after 10:30 a.m. Mass -- from about 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. -- at St. Justin Martyr Church, 35781 Stevens Blvd., Eastlake. The procession will begin at 3:30 and will walk about three-fourths of a mile to Classic Park, 35300 Vine St., Eastlake, home of the Lake County Captains, the Cleveland Guardians’ Class A affiliate. The Knights of Columbus, clergy, altar servers and faithful – led by the Eucharist in a monstrance – will walk and pray the rosary during the procession.
When they arrive at the ballpark, Auxiliary Michael Woost will celebrate Mass at 5 p.m.
Although registration has closed, all are welcome to participate in the procession and the ballpark Mass. Those who pre-registered will receive a meal but others who attend should plan to bring beverages and food since ballpark concession stands will not be open. Ample free parking is available in the lot across from the stadium. A shuttle will take people who walk in the procession back to St. Justin Martyr after Mass to get their cars. Those unable to walk in the procession also can take the shuttle to and from the church, if they wish.
In case of rain, the procession will be canceled, but adoration still will take place at St. Justin Martyr before the ballpark Mass. The Mass and other activities will take place – regardless of the weather – under cover at the stadium. There is no Captains’ game that night.
A special baseball card-type magnet will be given as a memento to the first 500 people at the stadium. This will be the first of four collectible magnets distributed at the ballpark Masses.
This is the first of four outdoor, ballpark Masses this summer in conjunction with the beginning of the parish year of the Eucharistic Revival.
The second ballpark Mass will be celebrated by Father Oscar Pratt from the Archdiocese of Boston on July 28 at historic League Park, 6601 Lexington Ave., Cleveland. The diocesan gospel choir will perform at 7, followed by Mass. At sunset, there will be a Eucharistic procession across the street to St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima Parish, where there will be benediction.
This event is in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Fatima Family Center, across the parking lot from the church. There will be food trucks and activities throughout the day as part of that celebration.
The third ballpark Mass is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 14, the vigil of the feast of the Assumption, at Mercy Health Stadium, 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon – home of the Lake Erie Crushers. Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa, will be the celebrant. A living rosary will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the baseball field before Mass. Praise and worship music will be provided by Father Joe Menkhaus and his family.
The fourth and final ballpark Mass will take place at 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at Brookside Park, 200 Brookside Drive, Ashland, with Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries, OSB as the celebrant and Father Steve Moran, pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Wooster as the homilist.
“The baseball park Masses are sure to be a hit,” said Father Damian Ference, vicar for evangelization and head of the diocesan Parish Life and Special Ministries Office. “Be sure to attend and collect all four magnets,” he added.
All the ballpark Masses are free. Click here for more information and registration for the events. Donations will be accepted to help defray the cost of the ballpark Masses. Click here to make a donation.