Trinity High School in Garfield Heights rolled out the welcome mat for Bishop Edward Malesic on Nov. 25, when he made his first visit to the school. Father David Domanski, OFM Cap, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Garfield Heights, concelebrated the liturgy.
Nearly 500 students assembled in the gym for a special Mass of thanksgiving. When it was over, they were thrilled with the bishop’s message.
“I have a gift for you,” he said. Many of the students seemed confused as they looked around.
“I have the authority to give you an extra day off, so you won’t have school tomorrow (Nov. 26),” he told them. They seemed stunned and weren’t sure if he was serious, so Bill Svoboda, the school president/principal, took the microphone and reinforced the bishop’s statement. The reaction was jubilation as the students cheered and clapped.
(See photo gallery above.)
“Because of you there is great spirit in this place,” Bishop Malesic said.
He acknowledged that many in the student body are not Catholic, but most are Christian and are aware that because of Jesus, Catholics have something special to pass on. “Jesus loves you,” the bishop said. “People here are working to ensure you have strong minds and bodies as well as souls. God feeds your soul. Jesus must be the center of all that you do because each of you is a beloved child of God. Look into the Father’s eyes and hear him say you are his beloved son or daughter.”
The goal is for everyone to get to heaven, he said, adding that when Adam and Eve lost paradise, God had a plan to restore it. “And his name was Jesus. He is the greatest gift God gave to all of us. Have faith, young Church, in God’s love for you.”
The bishop said even if we walk away from God, he will never abandon us because his love is so great. “He can wipe away even the worst sins,” he said.
The bishop urged the students to be thankful to God for this Mass because Jesus was there with them. “We are blessed. Give thanks.” He also commended them for the strong culture of faith and the meaningful retreats each class participates in throughout the year.
Reflecting on the Gospel, Bishop Malesic talked about the story of the 10 lepers who believed Jesus could cure them. They sought him out and he told them to go to the priest. “I think they probably were dejected because they expected him to heal them. However, they didn’t realize that he did heal them – just not in the way they expected. They were healed on the way. One of the lepers realized he had been cured and he went back to thank Jesus,” the bishop said. Jesus asked about the other nine.
“That can happen to us,” he explained. “We can be healed over time, but may not be aware of miracles. Like the other lepers, sometimes we focus on a problem so much we don’t recognize the cure.”
The bishop reminded the students that God gave us his beloved Son, who nourishes us.
“Count your blessings. It’s a good remedy for depression and outrage. Perhaps that’s why our world is like it is.”
Wealthy people can be very unhappy, he said, because “they forget to care for their souls. They are too worried about ‘stuff.’ Be the one in 10 who comes back to God with thanksgiving and joy.”
“You are destined for greatness,” he told those assembled. “Being grateful requires you to know that you are blessed.”
After Mass, the bishop spent time chatting with 16 students – four from each grade. He asked them to share one word that describes Trinity. Their answers included family, community and welcoming. Once again, he reminded them of their blessings.
Bishop Malesic also welcomed questions from the group.
After their discussion, he posed for a few photos, stopped by a few classrooms and visited with the school’s leadership team.
Before leaving he reminded all that because of our Christianity, we can deal with whatever happens because we know the Lord is always with us.
Click here to learn more about Trinity High School, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.