“God is good all the time … and all the time, God is good,” said Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries, OSB as he received the Archbishop Edward F. Hoban Award at the annual Deo Gratias Day of Recognition, Dec. 7 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.
The event, presented by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland and the Catholic Community Foundation, included Mass in Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Chapel, remarks by Bishop Edward Malesic and Jim Mullen, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, and the award presentation.
(See photo gallery above.)
More than 200 people filled Founders Hall at the CPL for the brunch and awards, including some of Bishop Gries’s family, Catholic Charities donors and many friends. Bishop Malesic celebrated the Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, Bishop Gries, Father Don Oleksiak, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, and Father Andy Turner, president/rector of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, as concelebrants.
Mullen, who took the reins at Catholic Charities in January, spoke about his first months on the job and where the organization is headed.
“We give thanks to God for the clients we serve,” he said, noting the need is great and Catholic Charities responds no matter the race, creed or nationality of a person in need. “Catholic Charities was built on a foundation of people … If not us, who?” he asked, referring to the lifelines cast to those in need by the diocesan social service organization.
Catholic Charities is being challenged by an unprecedented need for its services, he said, noting those services are delivered “in a Catholic way,” serving the whole family as well as individuals, providing shelter and food and moving them to a place of sustainability. Most people served are not Catholic, so assisting each person is an opportunity for evangelization, Mullen added. “You are the engine that makes this run,” he said to the audience.
Father Oleksiak introduced Bishop Gries, noting he first met him 47 years ago when he was in high school and never imagined their paths would cross so much in subsequent years. He reviewed Bishop Gries’ long career as a Benedictine monk, teacher, coach, bus driver and administrator at Benedictine High School, abbot of St. Andrew Svorad Abbey in Cleveland and auxiliary bishop.
“One of his most inspiring qualities is that he never said ‘No,’” Father Oleksiak said. “He always made time to be of service … He truly made a difference with his humility and his smile. We are grateful to you.”
“I am humbled,” Bishop Gries said after receiving the award.
Now 87, Bishop Gries said he was ready to retire in 2001 after serving 20 years as abbot, when he was named auxiliary bishop of Cleveland. Until retiring in 2013, he celebrated countless Masses, confirmed thousands and served in whatever capacity the diocesan bishop needed, remaining active until Bishop Woost’s appointment three years ago.
Bishop Malesic also praised him for his decades of commitment to the diocese, saying, “God sends people like Bishop Roger to lift us up and to lift up priests … He is an example of charity to so many with his loving heart.”
The Archbishop Hoban Award, named after Archbishop Edward Hoban, who led the Cleveland Diocese from 1945 to 1966, is presented annually at the Deo Gratias event in recognition for service to the diocese.