“It’s great to be here with about 1,000 of my closest friends,” quipped Bishop Edward Malesic as he scanned the large ballroom at Landerhaven in Lyndhurst. The room was filled with families, friends and supporters of the diocesan seminaries and seminarians.
The 42nd annual Bishop’s Seminary Brunch on March 22 was an opportunity to gather, celebrate, reflect and invest in the future of the local Church, the bishop said. “Today, we gather once again in the spirit of fellowship and generosity, united by our shared commitment to support our seminarians and the culture of vocations here in Northeast Ohio.”
(See photo gallery above.)
Dave Karpinski, who has chaired the Bishop’s Brunch for the past few years, said it had been a great honor to help plan the event, which has raised $180,000 in the past to assist with expenses incurred by seminarians during their formation.
“Our seminaries are truly thriving, due in no small part to your generous financial and spiritual support of our seminarians,” he said. Karpinski said that generosity helped make it possible to launch the propaedeutic immersion year program, which he called “an important milestone in strengthening priestly formation.” Seminarians spend a year of formation “unplugged” from technology as they focus on prayer and deepening their relationship with the Lord.
Currently, there are 57 men at Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries – 45 for the Diocese of Cleveland, eight for the Diocese of Youngstown, three Capuchins and one from the Archdiocese of Daegu, South Korea.
Bishop Malesic said the event directly supports their formation and education. He noted that according to the Program for Priestly Formation, “The whole Church receives and accompanies the gift of vocations from God and is responsible for promoting and discerning vocations. The entire Church is to be engaged in the pastoral work of promoting vocations.”
The faithful support the seminarians first through prayer. But events like the brunch offer a chance to support them financially, providing opportunities to grow in the intellectual, spiritual, pastoral and human dimensions of priestly formation.
Father Andrew Turner, president/rector of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, said proceeds from the brunch will support the individual needs of seminarians, including things like medical expenses, unforeseen car repairs, student loan deferments and costs associated with spiritual conferences, retreats and formation programs.
“I am grateful beyond words for the financial sacrifices made by so many who desire holy priests to serve our Church,” he said.
Three seminarians – Jacob Huzak, discipleship/Borromeo, Diocese of Youngstown; Johannes Benninghoff, configuration II/Saint Mary, St. Clarence Parish; and Deacon Cameron Ferrell, vocational synthesis/Saint Mary, SS. Peter & Paul, Doylestown – gave testimonials at the brunch. The seminary choir, directed by Agnieszka Bieniek, performed and attendees saw a video from the 2025 Mass, during which eight new priests were ordained for the diocese.
Father Eric Garris, diocesan vocation director, also thanked those who support the seminarians financially and prayerfully. “We are blessed to have a strong culture of vocation here,” he said, noting eight men have been accepted so far for formation in the next academic year, with others in the application process.
He encouraged attendees to invite young men who they believe have the potential to be a priest to prayerfully consider their vocation. “It falls to each of us to participate in the ministry of Jesus Christ … This event is not just a fundraiser. It’s an opportunity for evangelization.”
Click here to learn more about Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries. Contact the diocesan Vocation Office here.