Nearly 200 people attended the 68th annual Bishops Banquet, presented by the Cleveland Diocesan Union of Holy Name Societies. The Oct. 27 event honored six men for their contributions to the society. It also marked the 750th anniversary of the founding of the Holy Name Society.
Attendees also heard that the diocese would host the Holy Name national convention Sept. 10-13, 2025.
Keynote speaker at the banquet was Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, who shared the story of how he became a bishop two years ago.
“In January, I will celebrate my 25th anniversary on the faculty of Saint Mary Seminary,” the bishop said. In his role as auxiliary bishop of the diocese, he assists Bishop Edward Malesic.
Bishop Woost said among the questions he’s asked most often are where he is from and how did he become a bishop.
“I’m a Cleveland native,” he said. “Somehow, my name got on a list of potential bishop candidates,” he explained. On May 1, 2022, he got a call from a number in Washington, D.C. as he was traveling to celebrate Mass at St. Mark Parish in Cleveland. There were a few missed calls from the same number before he connected with the caller: Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Woost said he was stunned when he learned that Pope Francis was asking him to be the auxiliary bishop of Cleveland.
“It’s a challenging ministry, but how do you say ‘no’ to the pope?” the bishop said.
After accepting the position, he called Bishop Malesic and they met for dinner that night. Bishop Woost said he was sworn to secrecy about his appointment until it was announced officially. He and Bishop Malesic agreed on May 9 as the date for the announcement and he chose Aug. 4, 2022, for his episcopal ordination. He was able to share the news with his family, including his priest brothers, Father Dave Woost, pastor of Divine Word Parish in Kirtland, and Father Tom Woost, pastor of St. Brendan Parish in North Olmsted, as well as the seminary community.
His family designed his crosier, which he described as “very special to me.” It is carved wood and features two bands that symbolize his late parents’ wedding bands.
“We belong to a wonderful presbyterate,” the bishop said, referring to the priests of the diocese. He credits the strong formation program at the diocesan seminary. There are about 55 men discerning the priesthood. Eight are anticipating priestly ordination in May 2025 and another six in 2026.
Bishop Woost thanked the Holy Name Societies for their prayerful, spiritual support of the clergy.
“You are the backbone of our parishes and the pillars of our faith communities. Please continue to pray for our priests and seminarians so they do what God wants them to do,” he added. “Bishop Malesic and I appreciate all that you do to build up the faith communities in our diocese.”
The highlight of the evening was the awards presentation.
Will Skladany of St. Monica Parish in Garfield Heights received the Bronze Medallion Circle Award, the highest Holy Name Society award given to religious and laity in the diocese “for dedication and excellence in working for the honor and glory of God through the Confraternity of the Holy Name.”
Dominic Tortelli of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (West), Cleveland received the 2024 John M. Kovach Award for his dedicated service to the Holy Name Society.
The Cleveland Diocesan Union of Holy Name Societies’ 2024 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Jeff Fenner, St. Mary Parish in Mentor; Joseph Malburg, St. Bridget Parish in Parma and St. John Bosco Holy Name Society (Parma Heights) and Joseph Moynihan, St. Thomas More Parish in Brooklyn.
The 2024 O. Robert Miller Spirit Award winner was Anthony DaFonseca of St. Albert the Great Parish in North Royalton.
In his remarks, Father Thomas Haren, pastor emeritus of St. Monica, Garfield Heights and the organization’s spiritual moderator, offered some suggestions on how to increase membership in the society. He and Deacon Joseph Litke, assistant spiritual moderator, also proposed that deacons take on spiritual moderator duties for parish Holy Name societies in order to provide some relief to the pastors.
Father Haren said attending Mass as a group on the second Sunday of the month and reciting the Holy Name pledge would increase the group’s visibility. He also suggested that members invite others to join them.
Jim Joyce is president of the Diocesan Union of Holy Name Societies Board of Directors. Victor Nemec is recording secretary; Robert Miller is treasurer; William Skladany, marshal; Jerry Bacher, immediate past president; Susan Moynihan, spiritual apostolate; James Nugent, parish apostolate; Bacher, Vercelli awareness apostolate; Paul Lysobey, data base manager; Jim Joyce, newsletter editor; David Deschler, speakers bureau apostolate; Joseph Malburg, supply office; and Joseph Monynihan, Region VI vice president.
For more information on the Holy Name Society, contact your parish or pastor.