The weather outside was frightful with snow, sleet and freezing rain, but it didn’t deter the large crowd of faithful who gathered in St. Anthony of Padua Church in Parma on Feb. 8. The congregation included family, parishioners, friends and representatives from other parishes where Father Andrew Hoover had ministered.
He began his ministry as St. Anthony’s pastor on Jan. 15, when the previous longtime pastor, Father Dale Staysniak, retired. Bishop Edward Malesic installed Father Hoover. “I hope that’s OK with you,” he asked the congregation, which responded with applause as Father Hoover beamed.
As is his custom, the bishop had the new pastor preach during the installation liturgy.
“I like to know what I’m giving you,” he quipped.
(See photo gallery above.)
Father Hoover said he spent some time trying to remember what was significant about Feb. 8 when he recalled it was the birthday of one of his grandparents. He now has a second reason to remember the date.
As for his new ministry, Father Hoover said he is filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve as St. Anthony’s pastor and to fulfill “the hopes and dreams of what we can do together as a parish.”
Recalling his vocation story, the new pastor said he “has no business doing this. My family reminds me of who I am and where I’ve been.” As he scanned the nearly full church, he spotted people representing various times in his life, including those from St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick and St. Peter Parish in North Ridgeville, where he served previously.
“You’ve loved me into being where I am,” Father Hoover told the congregation.
The concelebrants included priests who have touched his life throughout the years, including Father Bob Franco, St. Peter, North Ridgeville pastor; Father Joe Koopman, a son of St. Anthony Parish and a seminary professor who taught Father Hoover prior to his ordination in 2016; and friends from the seminary and the presbyterate.
“No matter where we are in life, there is something important about Jesus’ death and Resurrection, no matter where we are in our call to conversion lay people, religious, etc.,” Father Hoover told the faithful. “No matter where we are on our journey, there will be a time when we can minister as God wants us to.” He said God has great power over our lives and through prayer and with him, we can become who he wants us to be.
The Knights of Columbus from several parishes also participated in the Mass, forming an honor guard as the clergy processed in and out of the church.
Members of the parish staff, finance and parish councils were introduced to the new pastor, who pledged to seek their counsel and advice. The parish also includes St. Anthony of Padua School, which has more than 200 students.
After Mass, Bishop Malesic and Father Hoover greeted the faithful in the church lobby before moving to the parish hall for a reception.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish was established in 1959 and originally was under the care of the Franciscans, Order of Friars Minor. Padua Franciscan High School, on the property adjacent to the parish, continues to be a ministry of the Franciscans. The parish came under the auspices of the diocese in 1993 and Father Staysniak was the first diocesan priest to be appointed as pastor. Learn more about the parish history here.