Ten of his classmates, seminary and priest friends supported and concelebrated Mass on June 28 when Bishop Edward Malesic installed Father Jacob Bearer as the ninth pastor of SS. Edward (Parkman) and Lucy (Middlefield) Parish. Mass was celebrated in St. Edward Church, the larger of the two worship sites. St. Edward was established in 1928; St. Lucy dates to 1958.
“Edward. I like that name,” the bishop quipped as he began the liturgy. The church was nearly filled with Father Bearer’s family, friends and parishioners from SS. Edward and Lucy. The Geauga County parishes share some of their resources, including a combined parish council.
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Father Bearer, who has served as administrator since January 2022, signed the documents that officially named him pastor prior to the Mass. As part of the installation liturgy, he also promised to follow Church teachings and to obey the bishop.
The new pastor is known for his sense of humor and lively style of preaching and he followed suit at the installation Mass. As he shared his vocation story, he evoked laughter and applause – at times – from the congregation.
“I still can’t believe I’m a pastor,” he said several times during the homily, questioning whether he had the right qualifications. The bishop put the issue to rest later in the evening when he assured Father Bearer he was the right man for the job. “You’re qualified,” he told him.
Father Bearer told the congregation that he let his faith lapse a bit after making his first Communion. As he grew older, he considered various careers, including veterinarian and lawyer. He even had a military recruiter call. “And in the seminary, I thought about a career as a poker professor,” he quipped, which drew laughter from the congregation.
But an encounter with Jesus in high school changed everything and he went off to the seminary to discern the priesthood. He recounted some of his good-natured antics during his seminary years, which prompted laughter from his brother priests and others.
“I am amazed I’m a Catholic priest and I can’t believe I’m a pastor,” he repeated. “It’s because of God’s grace. He works through all of our ‘junk.’ I’m not perfect and that’s why I’m being made a pastor,” he said. Father Bearer said he’s 35 years old (ordained in 2017) and was thrilled “to see people from different levels of my life here tonight. Thank you for being here,” he said.
“I feel a hunger here. I want to fan those flames into a fire. And I want to get that smoke back to Canada,” he quipped – referring to the poor air quality that day because of numerous out-of-control wildfires in Canada – as the congregation laughed and applauded.
He said he finally figured out what he wanted to do with his life – the priesthood – and asked those gathered to “crack open your hearts. Give Jesus a chance. That’s all he needs. Jesus has good and beautiful plans here and I can’t wait to see it. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun. So, crack the door of your heart open. God bless you,” he added.
In his remarks at the end of Mass, the bishop again reassured Father Bearer he had the right qualities to be a good pastor. “You’re qualified to lead your people to Christ and to have them in tune with the beating of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” he said.
The bishop noted that a good pastor sees Jesus in each of his parishioners. He encouraged Father Bearer to proclaim Jesus’ word, to lead his flock and to be present. “Be a good shepherd. I already know you’re priest who lives his people,” he said.
Bishop Malesic also reminded parishioners that they should look to Jesus for salvation, not to Father Bearer.
“Don’t pray to Jesus to change his heart. Instead, pray to Jesus to change your change your heart to be open to God’s plan,” he bishop said.
He reminded the parishioners that their pastor doesn’t have an easy job, pointing out it’s a difficult time in a confused world to be Catholic, a priest and a pastor. He also encouraged them not to keep their faith a secret, “or the secret will die with you. Encourage people to come, invite them here to see the wonderful thing you have here. Pray for more good, holy priests and pray for more people for those priests to serve.” He also asked that they be open to whatever vocation God is calling them to, be it priesthood, religious life, consecrated life, single life or married life.
He reminded them of the Church’s beliefs: Jesus is Lord. Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus died on the cross to save us. Jesus rose from the dead and Jesus is the only one who can save us.
“Be evangelists together,” he added.
After Mass, there was a reception in the parish hall and a special stole and chasuble, made by one of the altar servers, was presented to Father Bearer on behalf of the entire parish community.
Jacob Thompson, a homeschooled 17-year-old, made the vestment with input from Father Bearer. He chose the design and other features. The green vestment has a special border of high-definition hunter camouflage satin fabric – to match the stole – as an acknowledgement of Father Bearer’s love of the outdoors and hunting. The reverse side of the stole is purple. Jacob’s father, Ron Thompson, read a detailed description of the vestment and stole.
Sewn into and secured in the vestment are two third-class relics of St. Germain Cousin and St. John Vianney. An embroidered label with the prayer for donning a chasuble – in Latin – is sewn into the font liner. On the back liner there is an embroidered label noting that the vestment was crafted by Jacob Thompson on behalf of the parishioners of SS. Edward and Lucy with the date of his installation Mass. Members of the parish contributed to help defray the cost of the vestment and stole.
Jacob, a 4-H Club member and skilled sewer, will enter the vestment and stole in the Geauga County Fair competition this summer. If he wins, he can enter them in the Ohio State Fair.