“I am so proud of you,” Bishop Edward Malesic told Our Lady of Angels School students. “Catholic schools are a place where minds, hearts and spirits are formed.”
The bishop visited the school in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood on March 15 to help celebrate its centennial. The parish marked its 100th anniversary in 2022.
Father Rob Ramser, parish administrator, said it was a joyful occasion as OLA marked 100 years of Catholic education in West Park.
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Before Mass, students representing the various grades in the school presented the bishop with a spiritual bouquet.
“God hears the prayers of children in a special way,” he told the students.
During the homily, the bishop told the students he did some research and learned that in 1924 there was a team named the Cleveland Bulldogs that played in the National Football League. They won the championship that year (1924). There’s always hope,” he quipped.
“God will help you to always do your best. Have a desire to better all the timed and remember God wants to be your partner. He wants you to strive to be who you are meant to be. It’s not enough to know about Jesus. You must know him. Ask him to stay with you throughout the day,” he said, encouraging the students to pray often throughout the day.
He said their goal should be to live with God forever in heaven.
“He (God) wants that, too,” the bishop added. “But remember, you have work to do on earth first. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace.”
He noted that the school’s theme for its centennial year focuses on peace: “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace.” (Romans 14:19)
The bishop encouraged them to seek peace “in your heart, peace in your family and spread peace to the world. As the song says, ‘Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.’”
He also referred to videos on the school website that share what students love about OLA. “Your answers show that you’re rooted in peace and justice leads to peace. Jesus has a program for peace and we are learning at his feet,” he added.
OLA students are learning about peace in their school, their families and their community so they can spread it, the bishop said.
Referring to the Gospel, Bishop Malesic said people were trying to kill Jesus. “The devil will always try to destroy what is good, but if you stand up for what is true, good, right and just, you will be made stronger. Try to be the best disciple of Jesus you can be,” he told the students.
“Practice the faith. Ask Jesus to be with you and to help you be your best. Then you will succeed like the Cleveland Bulldogs did 100 years ago, when this school held its first class,” the bishop added.
After Mass, the bishop toured the school, which serves students in preschool through grade 8. He also enjoyed lunch and conversation with a group of students and teachers in the library. The students presented him with a gift bag of OLA swag, including a centennial peace T-shirt, a fleece and a coffee mug.