“No one should say they can’t afford a Catholic education for their children and you help us to ensure that,” Bishop Edward Malesic told attendees at the 35th annual Bishop’s Golf Classic. The sold-out Aug. 3 event, organized by the Catholic Community Foundation, drew more than 120 golfers to Westwood Country Club in Rocky River.
Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries, OSB began the day with prayer. He also presented a scholarship named in his honor to Emma Madson, a member of the Lake Catholic High School golf team who aspires to attend the Naval Academy. Emma and three teammates assisted at the outing.
(See photo gallery above.)
Golfers enjoyed competitions at some holes, refreshments and dinner. During dinner, Anne Hribar, instructional coach at Incarnate Word Academy in Parma Heights, shared some insights on Catholic education. She is a product of Catholic schools in the diocese and a career Catholic school educator.
“Enter to learn, exit to serve,” Hribar said, adding she “finds joy in transformational learning opportunities that position others to solve problems centered on Gospel teachings.”
Hribar said she sees the face of Christ as both a mirror and a window as she continues to learn and continues to serve.
The bishop reminded event attendees that educating and forming young people are a mission of the Church. He also praised the faithful in the diocese for their ongoing support of Catholic schools, which he called “transformative.” The day before the golf outing, Bishop Malesic attended The FEST, where he enjoyed dinner and some lively conversation with about 50-60 teens from around the diocese, including one of the Lake Catholic golfers.
Two years ago, the bishop recalled how awestruck he was when 3,000 high school students from around the diocese gathered for Mass at Public Hall in downtown Cleveland. “We’re doing it again this year and I hope even more can come,” he said.
“Our schools and parishes are communities of faith. It’s all about the kids. I am so grateful that you continue to support our teachers and schools.”
The golf outing helps support Catholic education at the 88 elementary schools and 20 high schools in the diocese, which educate nearly 40,000 students, making it the sixth-largest Catholic schools system in the nation.