The celebration began one year ago with Bishop Edward Malesic presiding at a Mass opening the yearlong observance of the 125th anniversary of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Lorain.
Festivities concluded on Jan. 28, when Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost paid his first visit to the parish to celebrate the closing Mass of the 125th anniversary year.
Concelebrants were Father Craig Hovanec, the parish’s 17th pastor who is marking the first anniversary of his appointment to that position; Father Gerald Keller, a son of the parish; Father Joseph Hilinski, a former associate pastor; and Father Robert Sanson, who serves as a weekend associate, Deacon Robert Dybo, a retired deacon from the parish, assisted with the liturgy. Even the bishop’s master of ceremonies – seminarian Kyle Rosser – has a connection to the parish. He hails from nearby St. Peter Parish, where Father Hovanec also serves as pastor.
(See a photo gallery from the closing Mass above.)
Theme for the anniversary was “Celebrating our Past, Present and Future for 125 years.”
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established to serve the growing Polish population in Lorain. Then-Cleveland Bishop Ignatius Horstmann assigned a Polish-speaking priest, Father Adolph Swierczynski, to serve the fledgling parish. He placed the parish under the patronage of St. John Kanty and began his ministry.
In April 1899, six lots were purchased at what now is the corner of Lexington Avenue and Fifteenth Street in Lorain. Plans to build a church there commenced and Bishop Horstmann decided to change the community’s name to Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“If I see Bishop Horstmann in heaven, I’d like to ask him why he changed the name,” said Bishop Woost. He speculated perhaps it was because of the devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus, that long has been a distinguishing characteristic of the Polish people.
“Or, perhaps it was because the birth of Mary heralded a new era in human history in preparation for the birth of her son,” the bishop said.
The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on Easter, April 15, 1900. By 1914, the parish community had outgrown its original church and petitioned the bishop for permission to build a new one. They raised the needed funds, got the bishop’s permission and built the current church, which was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day 1915 by Bishop John Farrelly.
Nativity Parish continued to grow, expanding its campus and relying heavily on the labor and talent of parish volunteers.
“For 125 years, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish has been a witness to the faith and generosity of the Polish-American Catholic community in Lorain,” Bishop Woost said. And while it sought to maintain its Polish heritage, he noted parishioners changed as the community changed, and “in the spirit of the Gospel, you have also welcomed everyone who desires to grow in the Catholic faith. Over the course of 125 years, you have experienced tremendous blessings and great challenges. And you have remained faith-filled, allowing the Spirit of God and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to guide you.”
The bishop noted that in many ways, the parish has been a prophetic presence, not only for those of Polish heritage, but for the Diocese of Cleveland and the city of Lorain.
Reflecting on the day’s readings, he said Moses told the Israelite community that God would raise up a prophet after him to continue to guide the community, to help it grow and to remain faithful. In the Old Testament, the primary responsibility of a prophet was to point to the presence and activity of God in the life of the faith community. The bishop said God called the prophet to be a living sign of God’s presence, guidance and care for the community.
In current times, he said by our baptism, we share in the priestly, prophetic and shepherding ministry of Jesus.
“For 125 years, this community has lived that baptismal call and carried out the responsibilities of the Gospel mission entrusted to you: A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of God’s own possession,” Bishop Woost said.
The liturgy contained bits of the parish’s Polish heritage, including music. Some members of the congregation also wore their native dress to the Mass. Father Hovanec also read and displayed a special papal proclamation the parish received in recognition of its 125th anniversary.
After the liturgy, parishioners traveled to St. Peter Parish for fellowship and to enjoy a lunch catered by Pink Peppercorn.
