As the second week of Advent loomed, those connected to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland’s Disability Services & Ministries participated in one of the most-anticipated events of the year: the 39th annual Our Journey to Bethlehem. The pre-Christmas event features readings from the Christmas Mass and a special procession during which members of the ministry present figures for the Nativity scene to the presider, this year Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, so they can be placed in the stable.
Retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger Gries, OSB presided at the Mass for more than 35 years. He always called it one of his favorite events and he had a special connection with the ministry.
“Thank you so much, Bishop Roger,” said Marilyn Scott, director of Disability Services & Ministries. “You have shared with us your love of God and taught us that we may be broken, but that we are still loved. God is good all the time,” she added, using one of the bishop’s signature lines.
(See photo gallery above.)
St. John of the Cross Parish in Euclid hosted this year’s Journey. Previously, the event took place at St. Augustine Parish in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, Sagrada Familia Parish in Cleveland and last year, at St. Ladislas Parish in Westlake. Once again, the choir from St, John Vianney Parish in Mentor, directed by Bill Rebol, provided music. The Carmona Caravan of the Order of Alhambra also returned to offer support. There was also an interpreter for the deaf/hard of hearing. Concelebrating were Father John Betters, pastor of St. John of the Cross and SS. Robert and William parishes; Father Bill O’Donnell, St. Augustine pastor; and Father Anthony Schuerger. Several seminarians from Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries also assisted with the event, as they have for many years.
At the offertory, members of the Alhambra and designated ministry participants received a piece of the Nativity scene and lined up to present their statue to the bishop. He handed it to Deacon Ray Daull and Scott, who helped place the figures in the stable as they built the Nativity scene.
During the homily, Bishop Woost used his crosier to illustrate a shepherd’s staff, something he said the shepherds guarding flocks of sheep in Jesus’ time would have carried and used to herd the sheep.
“It’s risky for the shepherds to leave their sheep untended,” the bishop said, noting they often wandered off. But the night Jesus was born, some shepherds did leave their flocks because they felt a call to find the Messiah. “They trusted that God would watch their sheep while they searched for the Messiah. The baby was not born in a nice hotel or a fancy, well-appointed hospital. He was born in a stable, in a manger, which is a dirty, messy place. The first to greet and see the newborn Messiah were the shepherds,” the bishop said. He explained that shepherds spent most of their time outdoors with their flocks, so they weren’t very clean people. “But these are the people God came to,” he said, noting they were ordinary people.
“God loves us all and he came to share with us his joy of Jesus present in our lives, no matter how rich or poor we are or how well educated we are. He gives himself to us in the gift of the Eucharist. You are all loved by him – and by me – no matter what. We are called to be like the sheep,” Bishop Woost said.
“We celebrate with joy that God has come to save us, to be with us. God is for all. Remember, God has called you because you are special to him and he loves you. So, all of us are shepherds today.”
After Mass, the bishop greeted members of the congregation and the group moved over to the newly renovated Good Shepherd Family Center where they enjoyed lunch and fellowship.
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