Mother of Sorrows Parish welcomes Bishop Malesic

Bishop Edward Malesic made his first pastoral visit to Mother of Sorrows Parish in Peninsula on Sept. 12, celebrating Mass and enjoying an outdoor dinner reception afterward.

Deacon Will Yoho, who has served as parish life coordinator since 2024, welcomed the bishop to the parish, which was established in 1882. He said many of the early parishioners were Irish immigrants who worked on the Ohio and Erie Canal. The quaint, white frame church – which seats 100 – has a bell tower and distinctive blue, wooden doors. It blends in with the historic nature of the village, which is surrounded by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Mother of Sorrows has about 300 parishioners and is growing, the deacon added.

“I am so blessed to be here,” he said.

As the bishop, Father Paul Rosing, the retired pastor of Holy Family Parish in Stow who often celebrates Mass at the parish, Deacon Yoho, and the servers prepared for Mass, the church bell was rung by hand using a rope in the choir loft.

“I am comfortable in a community that knows itself,” the bishop said, glancing around the intimate worship space. He said it reminded him of some parishes in the rural areas of his native Pennsylvania.

The previous day – Sept. 11 – the bishop said he celebrated the diocesan Blue Mass honoring safety personnel and those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He reminded the faithful of the need for peace and the importance of “building a world that is better than it is today.”

In his homily, Bishop Malesic, who marked his sixth anniversary shepherding the diocese on Sept. 14, said he released his first pastoral letter nearly two years ago. That document list three things parishes should do: worship God, evangelize and serve those in need. He also recalled celebrating the Mass of the Holy Spirit launching a new academic year at Saint Ignatius High School recently, where he talked about justice.

“God has done so much for us … he gave us his only Son who died for us … We owe a debt to  God,” he said. In fact, the bishop noted that when we miss Sunday Mass, “it is an injustice.”

He urged the faithful to share their stories and to share the good news of salvation.

“Jesus identifies himself in the suffering. If we don’t see him in them, we miss him.” He said the disciples followed Jesus’ example, even selling their property and dividing the proceeds to help care for the poor.

Reflecting on the day’s readings, Bishop Malesic said forgiveness is an important quality. It can be a long, difficult process to forgive someone but with God’s help, it is possible. “Holding on to anger can destroy you from within,” he said.

But forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending nothing happened. “It means no longer being willing to let another’s sin control our heart,” the bishop said. “Bring a little bit of heaven to earth. There are no grudges in heaven.”

After Mass, he greeted parishioners and posed for a photo with the parish’s Knights of Columbus.

Parishioners presented the bishop with a rosary at the post-Mass reception. Guests also were invited to review the parish’s history scrapbook that was updated by Deacon Yoho’s wife Liz.