Polka Mass, Oktoberfest highlight bishop’s visit to St. Mary, Chardon

Rain may have forced the polka Mass and many of the Oktoberfest activities indoors, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of those in attendance as Bishop Edward Malesic traveled to St. Mary Parish in Chardon on Sept. 20.

He celebrated the Mass, which featured music by a polka band, and later enjoyed the parish’s Oktoberfest festivities.

Concelebrants for the liturgy were Father Scott Goodfellow, St. Mary pastor, and parochial vicars Father Gary Malin and Father Sean Neville. Deacon Larry Boehnlein and Deacon Tom Peshek assisted and Deacon Ed Gardias served as the bishop’s master of ceremonies.

“Guten tag (good afternoon). My mother was German and I grew up attending a German parish,” the bishop said, recalling his childhood in Pennsylvania. He told those at the polka Mass that they were gathered around the most important table – the altar – the one that brings them together so they can receive Jesus.

Then he turned to the Gospel and the parable of the master who paid all the workers in his vineyard the same wage – whether they worked all day or just an hour. The bishop explained that the parable is about grace, not wages, noting it’s important to remember that grace is a gift from God, who is both merciful and just.

 “We are never outside the reach of God’s mercy,” he said.

Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil, disobeyed God and suffered for it. The bishop said a life with God is always better than one without him, “So, why not wait until the end of our life to ask for his forgiveness?”

We are given as many chances as possible to receive God’s mercy, the bishop explained, “So why wait? The good news is that we can still win our salvation … God is good, even if life isn’t fair – and it often isn’t.”

After Mass, the bishop greeted parishioners in the parish hall and  school cafeteria as they enjoyed German food and music provided by the polka band The Shotskis. He also visited with volunteers at the ticket tables, in the kitchen and elsewhere.

Parishioners embraced the daylong Oktoberfest celebration, begun by Father Goodfellow a few years ago. The celebration included food, music, activities for children, contests like a sausage throw, pretzel eating and stein holding, as well as rides in the Euclid Beach rocket car.