About three dozen members of the Parents of Priests group continued its Lenten tradition of attending Mass on Palm Sunday in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and enjoying a social in the cathedral rectory afterward.
Bishop Edward Malesic hosted the group once again.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost celebrated the 11 a.m. (livestreamed) Mass on April 13 with Bishop Malesic in attendance.
Bishop Woost welcomed the Parents of Priests to the cathedral. The group was seated in reserved seats at the front of the church.
After making their way into the rectory, they enjoyed refreshments while waiting for the bishops, who were greeting the faithful after Mass.
Both bishops spent time chatting with group members before Bishop Malesic made some brief remarks.
“It is wonderful to be here with you again,” he said. He thanked them for sharing their sons and supporting their ministry.
“We want hard workers rooted in the friendship of Jesus who have skin thin enough to be sensitive to other people and thick enough to keep moving forward,” Bishop Malesic told them.
“There is great news here in the Diocese of Cleveland,” the bishop said, reflecting on the recent Rite of Election liturgy. Because of the large number of people being accepted into the Church or coming into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil, the liturgy was moved to Public Auditorium because the cathedral is not big enough to accommodate everyone. Nearly 3,000 people attended the March 9 event, including 431 catechumens (those not yet baptized), 381 candidates (those coming into full communion), their sponsors, family and friends.
The bishop also talked about some of the events he’s attended recently, including a Case Catholic Newman Night last week that drew about 30 students. He also recalled meeting an Oberlin College student when he visited Sacred Heart Parish in Oberlin earlier this year. The student will be joining the Church at the Easter Vigil.
“He said he found a community rooted in faith,” Bishop Malesic said, noting that student, like many others, was seeking something. He said the Catholic Church offers what everyone needs: salvation.
“And there’s more good news. Yesterday (April 12), Bishop Woost ordained six men to the transitional diaconate. That means we have 14 transitional deacons right now. But I’ll reduce that number in a few weeks when I ordain eight of them as priests.”
The bishop also mentioned his recently released pastoral letter, in which he asks the faithful to spend time in daily prayer, to gather in small group to share their faith and their story and to perform works of service.
A few people asked questions such as what does he see as the biggest challenge.
The bishop said transforming the Church to fulfill its apostolic mission is a continuing challenge.
Another asked about the strengths of the diocese.
“Our seminary is one of our greatest strengths,” he said, noting its crucial role in forming future priests. “We need spiritually and emotionally mature men of prayer who are pastorally sensitive and theologically knowledgeable. We are blessed that there is a great fraternity among our priests. And our lay people are very generous with their time, talent and treasure. They truly love the Church.”
The bishop also spoke briefly about youth programs, noting many young people are hungering for something that the Church can offer to them. He said thousands of high school students from across the diocese came downtown for a Mass on All Saints Day in 2023.
“They left rejuvenated and on fire with their faith. They are what helps the Church grow,” he said. The event will return this fall, he added.
“We need to work on the parish level to find ways to get more people involved in our mission, including young people. Together as a Church, we do some pretty marvelous things. But we have to do some things differently,” he added.
Parents of Priests has been supporting priest sons and seminarians since 1974. Membership is open to all residents of the Diocese of Cleveland whose sons are priests (regardless of where their sons serve as priests). Parents of diocesan and religious order priests are invited to become members. The group raises funds to support the spiritual welfare of its members, and to further vocations to the diocesan priesthood.
The group’s officers are Geoff Goodfellow, president; David Swinerton, vice president; Michael Cubera, treasurer; and Michelle Kelly, secretary. The group is overseen by the diocesan Vocation Office. Father Eric Garris is the office director.
For more information on the group, call 440-943-7630. Click here for information on vocations.