Bishop Edward Malesic resumed his longtime Lenten tradition on March 14 as he visited St. Ladislas Parish in Westlake for a fish fry presented by the Knights of Columbus Council 16373.
About 500 dinners were served — eat in and take out — fish fry organizers said. Friends of Jesus, St. Ladislas’ ministry for those 15 and older who have special needs, offered a bake sale and soft drink sale at the fish fry. The menu includes breaded cod dinners, baked salmon dinners, macaroni and cheese dinners, breaded shrimp dinners, pierogi dinners, a small portions menu and sides such as hush puppies, fries, baked potato, wild rice, coleslaw, house salad and apple sauce.
The remaining fish fries will be 5-7 p.m. March 28 and April 11. Click here to order in advance.
The Knights of Columbus, along with St. Ladislas’ Care for Creation group of the Social Justice Committee and the Friends of Jesus, teamed up this year to make the parish fish fries more eco-friendly. Instead of using foam plates and containers, they introduced compostable options. Plastic silverware was replaced with real utensils and they reduced waste by switching from individual condiment packets to bulk dispensers for those enjoying eat-in dinners in the parish hall.
Then, instead of praying the Stations of the Cross in the church, Bishop Malesic attended the Living Stations of the Cross presented by students from Elyria Catholic High School. EC has offered the stations during Lent for nearly 30 years at various location in the Diocese of Cleveland. Lisa Belza, St. Ladislas director of faith formation, introduced the production. She noted that her children attended EC.
Father Mark Latcovich, St. Ladislas pastor, and Father Joe Hilinski, in residence, joined the bishop for the fish fry and Living Stations.
Click here to view a recording of the presentation at St. Ladislas.
(See above for a photo gallery from the fish fry and Living Stations.)
Sara Lanzola, EC director of campus ministry, said the script has been essentially unchanged throughout the years. Fifteen seniors are featured in this year’s cast: Trevor McMahon (Jesus); Courtney Hoplard and Dakota Jones (Mary); Mark Boehm (Simon); Kayla Linden (Veronica); Andrew Post (Peter); Christian Soltis (Pilate); Brace Dillinger (Guard 1); Natalia Dyson (Guard 2); Avery Collins (Guard 3); Connor Soltis (Guard 4); Veronica Duffy (Woman 1); Nicole DeLuca (Woman 2) and Maegen Kundrik and Macie Wakefield (Narrators).
Accompanying the cast is Joseph Simonetta, ’27, on the piano, and choir members Lillian Banak, ’27; Madison Queen, ’26; Meira Schilke, ’28; Zoe Gabriele, ’28; Quinn Rohwer, ’27; and Edy Solet, ’26.
Lanzola directs the production with EC alumnae Ashley Meecha, ’17, and Amanda Griffiths, ’12, as assistant director and music director. The Living Stations are based on the Stations of the Cross, which tell the story of Jesus’ last day, including his arrest, conviction and crucifixion. The faithful attending the presentation are invited to pray along after each of the stations is announced and to sing the refrain, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
“While praying the stations, you will witness each one come to life and feel like you are there, listening and praying as we explore the thoughts of those who walked with Christ,” Lanzola said.
“This is the end … Or is it?” was the question posed as the Living Stations concluded.
“We know it isn’t the end of the story,” Bishop Malesic said. “Thank you for sharing this production. You are very talented, which means you are blessed and you must be a blessing for others,” he told the cast before offering a final blessing to those in attendance.
This year’s production is in memory of two EC alumni, Scott Holland, ’02, who died in 2006 after the plane he was piloting had mechanical problems, and Jakob Hwang, ’18, who died from cancer shortly after graduating from EC. Scott portrayed Jesus in the Living Stations when he was at EC. Lanzola said Jakob was active in faith-based activities on campus and was a goalie for the boys soccer team.
A portion of the proceeds from the Living Stations is donated to the Scott Holland Memorial Scholarship and the Jakob Hwang Memorial Scholarship, which are awarded to an EC junior to assist with their tuition. A free-will donation is accepted after performances of the Living Stations.
Remaining presentations of the Living Stations for this season are: March 16, St. Bernadette Parish, Westlake; March 23, St. Mary Parish, Berea; March 30, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Grafton; April 4, St. Peter Parish, Lorain; April 6, St. Jude Parish, Elyria; and April 13, Sacred Heart Chapel, Lorain. Performances begin at 7 p.m.