“I can’t express how much I love and care about each one of you,” Father Anthony Simone told parishioners at St. Jerome and Holy Redeemer parishes.
Bishop Edward Malesic installed Father Simone as pastor of the two parishes in Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood on Oct. 19. Mass was celebrated at each parish — 9 a.m. at St. Jerome, 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer — followed by a lunch reception at nearby St. Mary Parish Hall, also in Collinwood.
(See photo gallery above.)
Concelebrants for each liturgy included some of the priests who played a role in Father Simone recognizing and accepting his priestly vocation, his seminary/ordination classmates, some seminary faculty, the pastor of his home parish (St. Mary, Hudson) and parishes where he served after ordination, as well as Father Francis Walsh, a former St. Jerome pastor, and Father Marty Polito, Holy Redeemer pastor emeritus.
Father Simone said he accepts the fact that the Lord didn’t send him to St. Jerome and Holy Redeemer to build something. “He told me to stay close to him and to trust him. Everything else is in his hands,” he said, comparing his vocation to a seed. That seed existed at St. Mary in Hudson, bloomed and broke open at St. Sebastian Parish in Akron, his first assignment after ordination, and was fertilized at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Parma, where he served as a parochial vicar. During his time as presbyteral moderator of St. Aloysius — St. Agatha Parish in Cleveland. Father Simone said, “I learned to love, and my humanity was formed.” He continued his formation as administrator of St. Jerome and Holy Redeemer parishes before accepting the assignment as pastor.
“I see great devotion and passion in these parishes,” he said. “I’ve been stretched in more ways that I ever thought … I have decreased and he (Jesus) has increased a lot. I am thankful to be your ‘father,’” he told parishioners.
Bishop Malesic noted that he asks pastors he is installing to be the homilist at their installation Masses. “I want to see what I’m giving you, and you’re getting a good and holy priest in Father Anthony,” he added.
The bishop said the salvation of souls “is the beating heart of what we do … A good parish does three things: worship/pray, evangelize and service … A good pastor brings the truth of Jesus to the people.” Bishop Malesic said Father Simone will help the two parishes to be the best parishes they can be, and he asked the faithful to help their pastor be the best he can be.
“Remember: There are multiple parishes, but only one Church. Don’t keep these parishes a secret. Share the good news and make people feel welcome here,” the bishop added.