A group of campers, counselors, staff members and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland officials gathered outdoors at Camp Christopher for a Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic the morning of June 28, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Mass took place near Lake Marian on the site of what camp officials hope will be a new retreat center.
(See photo gallery above.)
It was sunny and steamy as campers found their places on benches and blankets prior to the liturgy. Father Eric Garris, diocesan vocations director, concelebrated the Mass. Camp staff provided music and campers participated as servers. They also read the petitions.
Bishop Malesic told those assembled that the heart is a symbol of love, so it’s common to see it used for Valentine’s Day. The sacred heart of Jesus is also a symbol, a powerful sign of Jesus’ love for us, he explained.
“Jesus’ heart beats for you … It beats out of his chest,” the bishop said. He noted that in some pictures, the sacred heart may not appear anatomically correct. In other images, it is pierced and blood and water can be seen. “It is a symbol of Jesus’ love,” he said.
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. And Jesus calls us his friends. He wants to be our friend,” the bishop said. Anything that keeps us from him is a sin, he told the group.
“As you get older, your sins may get bigger, but they will never be greater than God’s love for us. He loves us as we are, but he doesn’t want us to stay as we are. He wants us to move forward to heaven, to become saints. He is so good that he wants eternal life for us,” Bishop Malesic said.
We experience love here, but Jesus’ love for us is perfect and we will have that as saints in heaven.
“We are the beloved sons and daughters of Jesus. His heart is a furnace of his love for us,” he added.
The day’s readings talk about sheep and a shepherd. The sheep aren’t very smart, the bishop explained, noting that if the shepherd doesn’t watch them, they could get lost or injured.
“We are like sheep. We need help and the Lord is there to help us, to be our shepherd. He knows you and calls you each by name. He holds nothing back. Let’s do that for him, too. Hold nothing back from the Lord,” the bishop said.
After Mass, he chatted with campers and blessed a rosary for one boy. He also spent some time talking with Jim Mullen, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, camp officials and others.
“This place is a jewel,” the bishop said, as he scanned the camp, which includes cabins, a lake, dining hall, adventure course and other amenities.
Camp Christopher, which celebrated its centennial last year, is located in Bath. Hundreds of campers enjoy residential and day camp programs each summer. There also are special programs for adults, families and those with special needs. Click here to learn more about Camp Christopher.