“I have always loved this devotion,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the faithful who gathered in St. Hilary Church, Fairlawn for Stations of the Cross on Feb. 23.
The bishop continued his Lenten Friday tradition of visiting a parish for a fish fry – or in the case of St. Hilary, a fish bake – and Stations of the Cross.
Accompanied by Deacon Matt Lawler, the bishop met Father Steve Brunovsky, St. Hilary pastor, and headed into the school gym for the fish bake. A large crowd gathered for the event, which offered the option of eating in the gym or taking the food home.
(See photo gallery above.)
They greeted volunteers who were selling raffle tickets and dinner tickets and then went into the kitchen, where the bishop observed the parish’s Knights of Columbus chapter, who organize the weekly Lenten fish bakes. Dozens of volunteers in navy blue shirts prepared food, plated it, cleaned off tables, served dessert and assisted as needed at the dinner.
After enjoying a baked, battered fish dinner with macaroni and cheese, pierogi, green beans, cole slaw and a roll, the bishop mingled with parishioners and other guests. He greeted diners at their tables and posed for photos before heading to the church to preside at the weekly Stations of the Cross.
He said the popular musical “Jesus Christ, Superstar” inspired him as a teenager to follow the Crucifixion. But one thing bothered him. The show ended without the Resurrection.
The suffering of Jesus factors into our lives, the bishop said. “Just like you, I need to nourish my soul, too.”
Admitting he doesn’t know most of the St. Hilary parishioners, the bishop said he’s sure each of them has a story.
“By loving Jesus, we find comfort and help. Jesus understands us. He walks with us at the Stations. We are moving forward, doing what Jesus wants us to do. He is with us constantly, waling with us. He has his cross and we have ours, but we have hope as Christians. That’s why we walk with Jesus.” He said.
Jesus took it upon himself to lay our sins on him, on the cross, the bishop told the faithful. “Peter denied him. He was arrested, handed over, scourged and crucified – all for us,” Bishop Malesic said.
He talked about his personal encounter with his faith in college and how he became more attentive to the Gospels.
“I discovered that God loves me. He loves you, too. He walks with you. He doesn’t walk away. And when we die, he puts us into the arms of our heavenly father,” the bishop said
Some have not heard about salvation, he said, encouraging the group to share that news. “Don’t keep it a secret. Share it. Jesus did that for you and me, he said, referring to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
“Jesus understands our pain and he wants to give us joy. Give some of your time to Jesus. He gives himself to us,” Bishop Malesic said.
“Thank you for walking with me – and Jesus, who is always leading us somewhere – tonight.”