Members of the St. John the Evangelist Leadership Guild gathered Dec. 11 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for a private Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic. The celebration – their fourth and final one for the year – was a thank-you for the financial support guild members have made during 2023.
Father Dan Schlegel, pastor of St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village who also serves as the guild’s spiritual director, concelebrated the liturgy. Deacon Dennis Conrad, a guild member, assisted.
“You are faithful people who give generously,” the bishop told the guild, noting how much he appreciated their support for so many causes throughout the diocese, including education, the seminaries, Catholic Charities and more. “It is in giving that we receive."
He also encouraged them to “pray for peace everywhere it’s needed.”
(See photo gallery above.)
The day’s readings warn people to slow down during this busy season, the bishop said. The Gospel told the story of a paralyzed man whose friends brought him to see Jesus in the hope of receiving healing. The man was convinced Jesus could cure him, but it was nearly impossible to get to Jesus. However, his clever friends made hole in the roof of the house where Jesus was and lowered the man down through the hole.
“Two things happened that day: the physical cure for the paralyzed man and the spiritual cure for his friends. Jesus forgave their sins,” Bishop Malesic said.
He told the guild members they have been a part of many good things in the diocese and someday, they hope to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servants.” They have helped the addicted, the hungry, the poor, the sick and afflicted and those with many other needs.
In this time of Eucharistic Revival, the bishop said recently he found inspiration in two examples of hope involving young people who are hungry for the Lord. On All Saints Day, Nov. 1, he celebrated Mass in Public Auditorium for 3,200 high school students from across the diocese. He recounted how they were greeted with high-fives and smiles by seminarians and others as they entered the building. The nearly daylong event included music, witness stories and Mass.
“It was an example of the young Church on fire with the love of the Lord and ready to go back and give witness,” he said, while acknowledging that arranging the event was risky. It had never been done before and there were no guarantees how it would turn out.
“But it was great,” he said, noting several students went back to their schools and inquired about converting to the Catholic faith so they could be a part of what we have.
The second event, a few weeks later, was when Bishop Malesic and Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana for the National Catholic Youth Conference. They were among about 12,000 high school students attending the nearly four-day conference.
“One highlight was on Friday night (Nov. 17) when the Eucharist was brought into Lucas Oil Stadium and the young people spontaneously went down on their knees. They are a Church on fire. When people say our Church is dying, that’s not true,” he said.
“You have all had a part in making the highway to the Lord a little easier for people to find. This guild has a wonderful, common goal: working for the good of others,” the bishop said.
“We are on a journey to Christmas now. We needed to be saved, and God sent a Savior.”
After Mass, the bishop greeted guests as they exited the cathedral and moved into the cathedral rectory parlor.
“Welcome to my home,” he said, encouraging them to enjoy the Christmas decorations, refreshments and each other’s company.
As a token of appreciation, each guild member received a commemorative Christmas ornament in recognition of the 175th anniversary of the cathedral.
Learn more about the St. John the Evangelist Leadership Guild here.