Father Samide installed as ninth pastor at St. Angela Merici Parish

“Buckle up, SAM fam. It’s going to be quite a ride,” Father Rich Samide told the congregation as he was installed on July 27 as the ninth pastor of St. Angela Merici Parish in Fairview Park.

Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost celebrated the liturgy with a dozen concelebrating priests, including Father Samide’s brother, Father Dan Samide, and Father Steve Moran, pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Wooster, where Father Rich Samide was first assigned after his ordination in 2018. His brother, Father Dan Samide, was ordained in 2019 and is parochial vicar at St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick.

Father Samide has served three years at St. Angela, first as parochial vicar then as parish administrator when the pastor, Father Michael Lanning, who had served in that capacity since 2004, became ill last year. Father Lanning retired on April 7 and Father Samide was named pastor effective July 15.

Bishop Woost, a longtime professor at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, noted he has know Father Samide since his days as a seminarian and was happy he had the opportunity to celebrate his installation liturgy. The church was nearly full for the Mass, including a contingent of people from St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Wooster who traveled more than an hour to attend.

In his homily, Father Samide said “A church is meant to go out, to go fishing for people. That’s what we’re called to do.” He’s been busy re-energizing the parish with outreach and evangelization efforts, including having a booth at Fairview Park’s recent Summerfest. “It was the first time in about 15 years that we had a booth,” he said. “Some people say they enjoy some of the new endeavors in the parish. But it’s because of you,” he told parishioners. “It’s not ‘you’ that need to do this. ‘We’ need to do this … I commit to growing with you to make this the best church we can with the love of God,” he said.

Bishop Woost thanked Father Samide’s parents, Paul and Sue Samide, for sharing two sons as priests in the diocese.

During the liturgy, the new pastor greeted members of the parish staff, parish council, finance council and St. Angela Merici School staff, promising to seek their counsel and to work with them. He also led the congregation in the profession of faith.

After Mass, all were invited to a reception in the parish’s Centennial Hall.

St. Angela Merici Parish was founded in 1923 with about 80 families. The current church was dedicated in 1948 and the expanded sanctuary was dedicated in 1960. Learn more about the parish and school here.