“This morning, we give thanks to God for the past, for the blessings of 75 years,” said Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost. The bishop was the principal celebrant at a Mass on Sept. 21 marking the 75th anniversary of St. Richard Parish in North Olmsted. It was established in May 1950 by Archbishop Edward Hoban.
A relic of the parish’s patron saint, St. Richard of Chichester (England), was carried into the church during the opening procession and placed on a table in the sanctuary where it remained throughout the liturgy. Father Tom Woost, parish administrator, said a former parishioner who moved away, recently donated the relic, which was placed in a special display case prior to the anniversary Mass. Its permanent location will be in the St. Richard niche at the front of the church, he added.
(See photo gallery above.)
In his homily, the bishop cited the work of St. Richard’s five pastors before his brother was named administrator after the retirement of Father Charles Stollenwerk in January 2022. He also credited the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, who staffed the parish school and assisted in the parish for many years. Representatives of the sisters attended the Mass.
“During these 75 years, thousands of Catholic parishioners have worshiped, studied, socialized, served and grown in their faith as members of the St. Richard family,” Bishop Woost said. He also pointed out miracles have happened, noting the Eucharist is celebrated daily, children and adults have been baptized, sinners were forgiven and absolved, the sick and homebound were visited, anointed and cared for, the poor and needy were assisted, loved ones were laid to rest and ushered into eternal life and many found prayerful comfort, hopeful encouragement and loving compassion at St. Richard’s.
The bishop read what is known as the Prayer of St. Richard, which the saint recited on his deathbed in 1253, He said it was the perfect prayer for the anniversary since it begins by looking to the past and thanking God for the many blessings received through Jesus Christ. Then it looked to the future, seeking the assistance of God’s grace to move forward in hope. The prayer inspired the song “Day by Day” from the Broadway musical “Godspell,” he added.
Reflecting on the Gospel, which included one of Jesus’ most unusual and complex parables, Bishop Woost said a dishonest manager was cheating his employer and trying to secure his future. But Jesus had a lesson for us, explaining that he praised the manager’s determination to rescue his existence and find a way to move into the future. In order to find life and a future of hope, we must have God as our master, serve him and seek his wisdom and guidance.
The celebration continued after Mass with a picnic, music, raffle baskets, photo displays from the parish and fellowship.