“Exactly 75 years ago, this parish was founded,” Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost told the congregation gathered for Mass on Jan. 27 at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Willowick.
Recounting the parish origins, he said then-Bishop Edward Hoban recognized the potential for community growth in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs after World War II, so he established St. Mary Magdalene on Jan. 27, 1949.
“Here we are today, 75 years later, celebrating the ongoing development of Bishop Hoban’s vision,” he added, crediting Father Steve Breck, the pastor, parish leaders and parishioners for their part in maintaining a strong parish community.
(See photo gallery above.)
The new parish began a building campaign almost immediately, since construction of a church was a priority. Groundbreaking for the church took place on May 1, 1949. In addition, construction began for a school and rectory. Ursuline sisters began teaching 199 students in the fall of 1949. A year later, on Sept. 17, 1950, the church building was completed and dedicated by the bishop.
Bishop Woost noted the steady growth of the parish, which became one of the largest parishes in Lake County.
By 1963, the parish community had expanded the school building to include more classrooms, a library and a gym. The burgeoning school had 1,850 students enrolled – just 14 years after it opened.
“Throughout the years, the pastoral leadership and community of St. Mary Magdalene Parish has sought to discern God’s will, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to grow its life of faith,” the bishop added. He noted it was the first parish to establish a pastoral team as its leadership model. The pastoral council and its committees “called parishioners to exercise their baptismal responsibilities to engage in the mission of the Gospel. The parish’s leadership asked the parishioners to use their gifts not only for the growth of the parish community, but also for the betterment of the neighborhood,” he said.
As the parish’s 40th anniversary approached, the church was remodeled and rededicated on Nov. 12, 1989.
Although significant changes have occurred within both the parish and the city of Willowick during the past 75 years, Bishop Woost said the St. Mary Magdalene “has remained a significant witness to faith and community life. Over the course of 75 years, you have experienced tremendous blessings and great challenges. And, you have remained faith-filled, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you,” the bishop said.
He told the faithful that as they face the future, they should take heed of what St. Paul said in the first letter to the Corinthians, “‘Brothers and sisters, I should like you to be free of anxieties’ That’s my prayer and hope for you today, as well.”
He said Paul wants us to consider how we can please the Lord, how the Spirit of God is inviting us to attend to the concerns and responsibilities we have now, how the grace of God is continuing to invite us to grow as a family of faith and how we move into the future while growing in faith, hope and love.
“As always, the answer comes in the message of the Gospel. Look to Jesus. Listen to Jesus,” he said,
Bishop Woost said Jesus is the one who teaches with authority and who shows us the way, gives us the truth and guarantees us life “because he is the way, the truth and the life … He has guided this community of faith for 75 years … for 75 years, you have proclaimed that you know Jesus, the holy one of God. To know him is to live through, with and in him,” he added.
“You are a great example of what it means to be Church. Bishop Malesic and I are grateful for it and the diocese is better for it,” he said. “But we can’t just rest on our past. Christ invites us always to move forward … I am so very blessed to be with you today.”
After Mass, the bishop and Father Breck joined parishioners and other guests for a sold-out dinner celebration in the school gym. Guests enjoyed looking at old photos from the parish’s first 75 years, playing games and reminiscing.