The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist came alive with music, song and dance during the noon Mass on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The federal holiday, celebrated on the third Monday of January since 1986, marks the anniversary of the birth of the civil rights leader who was assassinated on April 6, 1968.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost celebrated the livestreamed liturgy, which was planned by the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministries, on Jan. 15.
(See photo gallery above.)
Father John Judie, a retired priest from the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky was the homilist. He joined five other diocesan priests – Father Damian Ference, vicar for evangelization and head of the Office of Parish Life and Special Ministries; Father James Watson, OFM Cap, pastor of St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Cleveland; Father David Domanski, OFM Cap, administrator of Holy Spirit Parish in Garfield Heights; Father Anthony Simone, presbyteral moderator of St. Aloysius-St. Agatha Parish in Cleveland; and Father Joe Hilinski, delegate for ecumenical and interfaith affairs and pastor of St. Barbara Parish in Cleveland – as concelebrants. Deacon Hardin Martin of St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima assisted and Deacon Bruce Battista of Holy Rosary Parish in Cleveland was the master of ceremonies for Bishop Woost.
Adding to the solemnity of the liturgy were members of the Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary and the Knights of Columbus. The 114-year-old Knights of Peter Claver is the nation’s only African American Catholic fraternal organization and the world’s largest historically Black Catholic lay organization. They were in formal dress including white shirts, ties, capes and hats while the women wore white dresses or suits and a sash. The Knights of Columbus wore their traditional blazers, white shirts, ties, sashes and berets.
After a prelude featuring the Diocesan African Dancers, the Diocesan Gospel Choir sang “We Shall Overcome” and “Lord, Prepare me to be a Sanctuary” as the liturgy began.
Bishop Woost told the congregation he was happy he could be there to celebrate the liturgy on such an important holiday – the anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth in 1929. This year, the holiday fell on King’s actual birthday – Jan. 15.
“What a mighty God we serve,” Father Judie said as he began his homily, leading the congregation – led by the Gospel Choir – in the hymn of the same name. They responded with applause and affirmation.
“Can you tell I used to be a choir director?” Father Judie said, smiling.
Much of his homily focused on the second reading, which reminded us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
He told the faithful that Satan tries to separate us from Jesus, but he can’t be successful unless we allow it. He reminded the young people that today’s world is a difficult place in which to live, noting we rely on things that make life easier but give us less time to develop relationships. He lamented the days when neighbors sat on their porch and talked, explaining that now we use modern conveniences like texting that eliminate personal communication.
The world also is more violent, which can make it more difficult to know the love of God. Before totally surrendering to the Lord, it was necessary to overcome the things that kept us from Jesus, Father Judie explained. He said older members of the community must use their experience to teach young people what they need to know in order to love and serve the Lord.
“Know that trouble will come,” he warned, urging the congregation to rely on their faith.
Others may have power over you and it’s easy to put yourself in harm’s way, Father Judie said, telling the faithful they should “Stay in God’s way” and avoid doing what takes them out of God’s way.
“It’s not the Spirit that tells you to talk back to your parents, to cuss out your superiors, to cheat on your spouse,” he said.
“What then shall we say when trouble follows, when there is no money, no food, when we feel like the world is against us? If God is before us, no one, nothing can be against us. If you know God is with you, just hold out until your change comes. Show up for God and God will show out for your because nothing can separate us from the love of God,” Father Judie said.
He reminded the faithful of Jesus’ sacrifice, his arrest, unjust conviction, scourging, brutal death, burial and his resurrection, explaining that despite everything, Jesus remained faithful to his Father.
“Stay close to God, draw near to God because nothing can separate you from the love of God,” Father Judie said, adding he is “the one who will get you from where you are to where you need to be. We are here today to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.,” he said, noting we stand upon the shoulders of many before us who worked, suffered and died, including those who were imprisoned in Africa. The MLK holiday is an opportunity to remember them and those who didn’t survive, as well as others who were oppressed and suffered injustices.
“Continue the good fight and keep on keeping on until the fight is over,” he said, once again telling the congregation, “Nothing can separate you from the love of God.”
Jeremy Magnum, a SAOLF parishioner and a senior at North Olmsted High School, recited King’s “I Have a Dream” speech as a reflection near the end of the Mass.
“Each of us has a piece of Martin Luther King’s message to give the world,” said Sister Jane Nesmith, SBS, who heads of the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministries. She thanked Father Judie for his powerful message and offered her thanks to the parents and grandparents who are helping young people to follow his lead. In addition, she expressed gratitude to Bishop Edward Malesic and Bishop Woost for their support
“We need to do more to keep young people engaged in our Church,” she added. Sister Nesmith said the collection from the day’s Mass would be used for outreach programs for youth. “We want our young people to have Jesus’ name on the tip of their tongues. That’s the only thing that matters,” she said. The young people were called to the sanctuary for a special blessing from the bishop as the congregation extended hands over them.
After Mass, Jeremy received a scholarship award to help him further his education.
Learn more about the Office of Black Catholic Ministries, events and resources here
Click here to watch a recording of the Mass.