“I am so pleased to be with you today,” Bishop Edward Malesic told members of the Asian Catholic community who gathered for their annual Mass and celebration Oct. 6 in St. Clarence Church, North Olmsted. “Thank you for all you do for our diocese and for enriching us with your culture.”
The Asian Ministry, overseen by the diocesan Office of Parish Life and Special Ministries, includes Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Sri Lankan, Indian, Pakistani and other Asian cultures. Their languages and some liturgical customs were woven into the liturgy, including the Vietnamese tradition of calling the faithful to worship with gongs. The readings and petitions were recited in various Asian languages.
“We live in such a diverse diocese. I am truly blessed to be here,” the bishop said, noting he celebrated with the Hispanic community the night before at their annual Faith and Culture event at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Cleveland.
(See photo gallery above.)
Bishop Malesic said it’s not always easy for Asian Catholics to practice their faith in their native countries, but their faith remains strong. He identified six special values of Asian Catholics:
- Harmony and diversity
- An emphasis on family and ancestors
- The importance of education
- The tradition of spirit
- Contributions of the clergy and religious to the Asian community
- A long tradition of lay leadership in Asian parishes.
According to Pope Francis, family is a key building block for society, the bishop said, noting that without that foundation, society would fall. Marriage is a building block for a strong family, he said, adding that “God is the author of marriage. He made it, not us.”
Reflecting on the first reading from Genesis, which talked about God creating Eve as a partner for Adam, the bishop said God knew it was not good for man (Adam) to be alone, so he made “a suitable partner for him.” Eve was different from the other animals since she was “bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.”
This was the beginning of love, the bishop said, explaining that God sees himself in us because he created us. “Adam sees himself in Eve and Eve sees herself in Adam. They love each other. When we realize how alike we are, it’s more difficult to hate each other,” he added.
The end of the first reading explains the meaning of marriage; “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh,” the bishop said.
Marriage is lasting, loving and centered on God, he said, adding, “Marriage is no less a vocation than priesthood, religious life or single life. It should come after much thought.”
The sacrament of marriage is a 100% commitment by the husband and wife, Bishop Malesic explained. “The best gift a father can give to his children is to love their mother.”
The bishop, along with 14 priests and deacons, traveled to the 60-year-old diocesan mission in El Salvador last month. There, they visited many sites of historical significance, including the chapel where St. Oscar Romero was martyred as he celebrated Mass and the location where four churchwomen were martyred during the Salvadoran civil war, including a religious sister and a lay woman from the Diocese of Cleveland.
Despite the poverty and difficult living situation, the bishop said he saw smiles on the faces of the Salvadoran children. “They were smiling because they know they are loved.”
Love is more than a feeling, he said. “Love is a decision. If God calls you to marriage, it must be a lifetime decision to love one another. You should be able to show a child any married couple and say, ‘This is what God is like. God is like this couple who love each other.’ Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not jealous. Love is not pompous. Love is not rude or self-seeking. It forgives easily. Love bears all things. Love believes in the other who is loved. Love hopes for the best, Love endures everything. Love never fails. Love is eternal.”
The bishop had some advice for those contemplating marriage, encouraging them to find someone who shares their values and faith. “And marry in the Church. You need God’s help to love someone for a lifetime. Only God can make two people one flesh.”
And if marriage isn’t your calling – maybe it’s to religious life or the single life – “Don’t worry, because God will provide what you need.”
Concelebrants for the liturgy included representatives of the Asian community and Father Damian Ference, vicar for evangelization. Deacon Shin Chulja Andrew assisted at the altar.
Music was provided by Joefina Buniel, Angela Kim, Lu Vien, Michael Srestha, Rosa Lee and choir members from the Asian Catholic communities.
After Mass, the congregation moved to the pavilion where a lunch featuring foods from the various Asian cultures was served.