The Lake Catholic High School community was ready to welcome Bishop Edward Malesic on Aug. 25 – until Mother Nature intervened.
The night before and during the early morning hours, Northeast Ohio was pelted by severe storms with a dozen confirmed tornadoes, including one that hit Mentor just after midnight Aug. 25. Lake Catholic is in Mentor, which experienced power outages from the storms. As a result, the bishop’s visit was delayed for two weeks, until Sept. 15.
(See photo gallery above.)
He and Father Eric Garris, diocesan vocations director and a 2008 Lake Catholic graduate, greeted students, faculty and staff prior to Mass, which took place in the auditorium. Father Andy Gonzalez, parochial vicar at nearby St. Gabriel Parish in Concord Township and the newly appointed Lake Catholic chaplain, concelebrated the liturgy.
“It is good to be here,” the bishop told those assembled for Mass. Reflecting on the beginning of a new school year, the bishop said the hallways are familiar to many of the students. “But what will a new school year bring?” He urged the students to use the gift of time wisely, noting it is precious and comparing it to money.
“Remember to be servant leaders. And ask God what you should do with the gift of your life. He has a purpose for each of you,” he said.
As for the freshmen, the bishop told them to trust in God. “He brought you here.”
He also reminded the students that “youth is a gift. Don’t wish it away too fast. Use it wisely. And learn how to forgive yourself when you sin because God does. You’ll never be able to outrun God.”
Lake Catholic is a Catholic school that teaches more than the basics. “You learn about Jesus. Remember that by baptism, you are the young Church and like muscles, you need to be strengthened,” Bishop Malesic added.
He shared his faith journey with the students, explaining that he came to the realization that Catholicism is the one true religion when he was a little older than them. It was fueled by the gift of a Bible, which gave him the opportunity to read the Gospels. “I realized that Jesus loved me. I saw that life is good and it is a gift from God.”
The bishop said there should be no hatred in the world and Catholic schools should teach and enforce that. “This should be a place of justice with good, holy relationships and examples of Christian living. Do not be afraid to be a witness of Jesus Christ. He is with you always, in moments of great sorrow and in moments of great joy. Dare to be different, to be examples of Christian living. Follow Jesus because you will get lost following anyone else. Be scholars and future saints,” he told the students.
“They will know you are Christians by your love,” he added. “You don’t have to say it. Live for God, for one another, study hard, pray hard, pray without ceasing and love God. And have a great year.”
After Mass, the bishop thanked the faculty and staff who make Lake Catholic a vital part of the community. “Teachers, you give up a lot,” he said. In addition, he asked all to remember the cafeteria workers, maintenance and janitorial staff and other behind-the-scenes people who fill valuable roles at the school and enable it to run smoothly.
“Also, it’s expensive to go to school here. So thank you to all who help pay for this educational opportunity,” he added.
Before processing out, the bishop noted that it is his prerogative to give the students a gift. “So, if you accept, I’m giving you the gift of a day off,” he said, as the students applauded. School administrators will determine the date.
After Mass, a group of students, Principal Tom McKrill, ’07, and President John Morabeto guided the bishop and Father Garris on a tour of the school. He visited several classrooms, trying on a sombrero in a Spanish class, participating in a trivia quiz in a theology class and offering some insights to students in a biology class. The bishop told the students he was a biology major in college before discerning his vocation to the priesthood. He also tried out a keyboard in a piano class. The bishop’s mother was a piano teacher and he played organ in a parish in his native Pennsylvania. He admitted he was a but rusty, but students applauded.
Bishop Malesic also ate lunch with a few students and McKrill and enjoyed some casual conversation before concluding his visit.
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