When a conductor steps in front of an orchestra, the chaotic sound of the group’s warm-up quickly quiets as the audience waits in joyful anticipation. So too were the grounds of the Center for Pastoral Leadership on Sunday, Aug. 4 for the 24th installment of The FEST. The hustle and bustle of the week before ceded to a carefully orchestrated day of prayer, activities, inspiring speakers, exhibits, and music that brought joy to the multitudes gathered on the campus grounds in Wickliffe.
“Instruments of Peace” was the theme for this year’s gathering, taken from the timeless prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. As noted on The FEST’s website, “Each of us have a part to play in building a more peaceful world in the heart of Jesus Christ.”
The FEST’s main stage was filled with some of the best in Christian rock music including performances by Casting Crowns, We the Kingdom, Cochren & Co., and Caleb & John.
Surrounding the main stage were dozens of exhibit booths featuring a variety of giveaways, information and more. New this year was a show featuring the Performance Dogs of Ohio, and the canines and their trainers delighted the crowd with their agility and tricks. Always a hit on the hot summer’s day are free snow cones provided by the Catholic Cemeteries Association.
Not an inch of space is wasted on the grounds of the Center for Pastoral Leadership and dozens of priests took turns during the day hearing confession just outside the Founder’s Room, while permanent deacons blessed families, hundreds spent time in adoration and dozens crowded the rosary tent to pray each hour to our Blessed Mother.
Bishop Malesic, amidst greeting FEST-goers, hearing confessions, and enjoying the sights and sounds, had dinner with youth from some of our Catholic high schools and parish youth ministry programs. Prior to the meal, Bishop relayed the excitement and energy still moving through the Young Church from the recent National Eucharistic Congress.
While the multitude of activities and opportunities make The FEST a day to remember, the highlight of the gathering of tens of thousands is the closing Mass. Bishop Malesic welcomed those gathered for the Mass, “What a blessing it is for us to come together this evening, once again home on the grounds of our diocesan seminaries. We gather from across the region and we come together as one family – one Church – around the table of the Lord.”
Bishop Michael Woost, auxiliary bishop, was the homilist for the Mass. He focused on the importance of the Eucharist as the reason we gather. He noted that while the day’s activities are fun, it is the Eucharist that feeds our souls.
Following the Mass, the faithful were treated to a performance from the 216Stix, a drumline that performs at Cleveland Cavaliers games using buckets for drums. The evening concluded with an amazing fireworks display.
While the grounds are once again quiet or perhaps not as busy as they are during The FEST, the experience continues to play on in the hearts of the tens of thousands who were there.
Next year will mark the 25th anniversary for The FEST and is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.