The wake for Father Edward F. Weist, senior priest-retired, begins at 3 p.m. Jan. 9 with vespers in St. Raphael Church, 525 Dover Center Road, Bay Village. Bishop Edward Malesic will preside and Father Eric Garris, diocesan vocations director, will be the homilist. Visitation will continue until 7:30 p.m.
Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa, will be the main celebrant of Father Weist’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Jan. 10 in St. Raphael Church. The homilist will be Father Dan Schlegel, St. Raphael pastor.
Father Weist, 82, died on Jan. 6.
He was born July 25, 1942 to the late John and Irene (Cooney) Weist. Father Weist was educated at St. Christopher School and Rocky River High School, both in Rocky River; John Carroll University, University Heights; Kent State University, Kent; Borromeo Seminary College, Wickliffe and Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland.
On May 31, 1969 in St. Gregory the Great Church, South Euclid, he was ordained to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland by Bishop Clarence Issenmann.
Father Weist’s first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Parma.
He pursued studies in canon law beginning June 27, 1974 in Rome. On Aug. 15, 1977, Father Weist was appointed diocesan vice chancellor and parochial vicar of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. In addition, he was named diocesan archivist on Sept. 19, 1977. He was appointed diocesan chancellor on Jan. 10, 1978.
Father Weist was appointed secretary and vicar for clergy and religious on Sept. 15, 1979. During this assignment, he also served as resident chaplain at Magnificat High School in Rocky River, effective Oct. 2, 1979. He also served as an ex-officio member of the Priests Retirement Board, effective Nov. 16, 1979.
In addition, Father Weist served as a member of the Cleveland Community Relations Board (1980), as promoter of justice for the diocese (1980) and as associate consultor (1980-1983).
On Nov. 4, 1982, Father Weist was appointed delegate for clergy. During this assignment, he also was named co-delegate for religious, effective Aug. 1, 1984.
Father Weist was named pastor of St. Leo the Great Parish in Cleveland on Jan. 16, 1986. During that assignment, he also served as dean, Cleveland Northwest Deanery (1991-1994) and was named presiding judge of the Inter-diocesan Appeal Court on Jan. 1, 1993.
He was transferred on July 1, 1997 to serve as a member of the pastoral team at Our Lady Help of Christians, Litchfield, where he served until retiring on July 25, 2012.
Those who knew him said Father Weist will be remembered for his kindness, encouraging words, fraternal priestly support, his never-ending supply of puns and stories, as well as his love for the priesthood and service to the people of God that inspired many to deepen their faith.
Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park.