2022 Miscellany #18—more end year fotos

Burning River Brass, St. Wendelin Cleveland, tubist playing "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". 

 

I have taken a lot of fotos, which i find interesting. Many did not find themselves placed with a complete essay. I still liked them, and end up placing themselves in pictorial grab bags. I received a new camera for Christmas, hopefully i will learn to use it.

Ohio City

Stan and Ollie. Independence O.

VW bug with horns

Ford Galaxie

in League Park Museum Cleveland 

Ethiopian Clowns were a barnstorming, and a Negro League team. Home fields were at Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and later Buffalo. Chiefly remembered as the Indianapolis Clowns, even when playing elsewhere. Hank Aaron played for them. They continued on, being the last Negro team. I wonder if there are people who object to the name.

One of the dragons on the roof of an outdoor shrine at Quan Âmm Vietnamese Buddhist Temple, Cleveland.

Some statues have added clothes, Jesus as Christ the King. In October a reredos went up at La Sagrada Familia Cleveland.

2 more in Wendelin's series

 These two are proofs from the sign company.

Wendelin puts two more in the rotation

 Holy Thursday

Good Friday

St. Wendelin wants parishioners

 

 

This is sort of like evangelisation by promotion, a large electronic postcard of invitation. On an electronic billboard, that cycles through several sponsors/advertisers every fifth picture (or so) is one for Saint Wendelin Cleveland. They are open and want to grow again.

Cleveland's bishop, Richard Lennon, was required by Rome to re-open eleven of the parishes he wrongly and unjustly closed. Between the Mass of Eviction and the Mass of Homecoming, parishioners were lost. Some people who had lived by the church moved because they did not have a church close by. Some became familiarised to new congregations, and the diocese did not encourage anyone to return, and that should be noted in comparison to how people were coaxed to accept the disappearance of their parish. Some people left the Catholic Church, and some left all churches.

as the Homecomings become routine

A very few, perhaps a handful of people, frequently check this site for a story. I have a perspective on many things. Of course, not everyone is enthusiastic about my views. I did not intend this to be a religious page. But it has come to pass, in this portion of Rustbelt America [northeasterly Ohio], that, a continuing saga of parishioners and episcopal authoritarianism has been manifested unto an unfolding serial drama. It has been so for a few years now. That IS a religious story. Now, there is a religious press in this country. There are several religious presses, by denomination. This story has slightly caught the attention of the National Catholic Reporter; beyond that ... there is an approaching absence, at least a dearth. There are many so called 'bloggers' on religious themes. Many that self-identify as 'Catholic' largely fall into authoritarian, proscriptive, allies of a rigid episcopacy. They would have cheered Cauchon, the bishop that ordered Jeanne d' Arc to the flames of faggotted sticks. So, only the secular press is writing or filming this story, and they are limited by their understanding, and their critics and censors, whom are often allies of the episcopacy.

I do not always have a comment for this journal, and besides, i type slow. The camera helps, the pictures tell a story themselves; they often only need a little identification, and context. The last few weeks wonderful stories have been reported by the local press on the parish Homecomings. It is an interesting point, that no significant chancery presence has attended any of these. Are these Homecomings not good for the diocese? They are certainly good for the communities. All of these are Homecomings. Under church law, none of these parishes went out of existence. The doors were closed, and now they are opened. The very term 'Homecoming' is not a term appreciated by the chancery.

Pieces are coming together. People have returned. They are beginning to renew, or restart a routine. Saint Wendelin (Cleveland's very near West Side) has just completed their first week back. Their new pastor alluded to the first reading at Mass, where the nation under Moses first have manna. He pointed out their exile in the desert lasted forty years, and after the initial miracles [that allowed them to escape faro] they had to continue everyday existence. They had heavenly food to sustain them, so do we. We need to live with Jesus as a community.

Wendelin's Marian grotto

Mary's grotto has been repaired by parishioners this week. When the diocese took the statue, they knocked off several stones. With the statue returned, the masonry was to be restored. The parishioners did so.

Wendelin's exile is over. Not so, for its near neighbor, Saint Emeric. The only parish that is left in the street is St. Emeric's. Why is this so? Every Sunday they meet for a prayer circle at 9.45 a.m.. They are the only one of the five who held these regular gatherings still doing so. The need has disappeared for SS. Casimir, Patrick, James, and Wendelin. Fortunately, they still meet for Mass on one or two Sundays a month at Saint Colman. In that way, their community has held closer together. At any moment they are ready, and fully capable, of moving inside THEIR church. Their exile has continued too long [Rome called it to end on the First of March]. As Richard Lennon says, “I am the bishop, and I make the decisions”. It seems so. In an attempted dialogue, the parish representatives insist they require an Hungarian speaking priest. Some one needs to understand confessions and spiritual questions from those not comfortable, or proficient in English. Lennon, when someone speaks words that he disapproves of is not a pleasant interlocutor, “Don’t give me that ethnic stuff”. Some questions he will not answer, or is not capable of replying to.

Lennon defines the first step of the Homecomings is the selection of a pastor, whom will co-ordinate everything. Ten parishes have had pastors named, not one had been the old pastor. Saint Emeric's parish would be very happy with their old pastor returning. “No, this is to be the bishop’s decision. Father Sandor is off the table. I am the bishop, and I make the decisions”. The rough tone does not reproduce in the transcription.

Władek

Before Mass, a ninety-nine year old man prays before the high altar at St. Casimir. He had spent six years as a war prisoner of the hitlerite Germans. He was the fellow, that, unplugged Lennon's microphone during the Mass of Eviction. That began the women leading a protest that completely unnerved Lennon. Patriotic and Marian songs filled the church to the dismay of the lennonists. Władysław "Władek" Szylwian has outlasted occupation before; his abiding and enduring faith is a lesson for the learning.
This is just an interesting sign. On Broadview, in Parma, some churches have attempted to put a clever message to spur one to think of God, and their relationship with Him. I have posted a previous sign of St. Mary's Polish National. In the oldest writing there is no spaces between words, or punctuation. This can make thoughts less than straight forward. Was this message to read as two different sentences? or does it do so unintentionally? is the sentence three words, or four words long?

Rejoice with St. Wendelin

Sunday in Cleveland, and another Parish church has an Homecoming Mass with a full house, in this case 600+. Along the utility poles on Columbus Avenue banners were festooned, a Slovak flag with text.
An half hour before scheduled Mass and people are entering. The church is finally opened.
The holy water fount was filled to-day with freshly blessed water. The old church bell cast in 1903 sits with a long handled mallet. A Mass begins with a call from a bell. For years, a parishioner had swung the mallet. He died since it was last formally used, his son rang it to-day. The bell was applauded by the congregation. Bells, candles, holy water, altar lamps are sacramentals (blessed objects and such that increase religious devotion, and have a sense of holiness).

a rood group, rood means cross

St. Wendelin is not a cathedral, but a very brick solid parish church. A parish is a community, and one mark is people enjoy each other's company and linger on. St. Wendelin is such an one.
After the Hosanna, people kneel. This particular Divine Mercy gonfalone has been a part of three church Homecomings, and before that many street prayer vigils (primarily at St. Casimir) and other demonstrations.
The preferable term is 'altar lamp', some say 'tabernacle light'. The new pastor, Fr. Robert Kropac does the lighting after Communion. Jesus' presence is again in the tabernacle. The lighting was also applauded.

Fr. Kropac spoke friendly and comfortably to his new parish. A couple of his former parishioners from St. Henry were in the first row to greet him before Mass. To-morrow, he begins his assignment with St. Peter's, but most of the congregation has left the building. Wendelin's parishioners are wondering how will this balance out? especially for the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Paschal Vigil).
Command the children of Israel that they bring thee the purest oil of the olives, and beaten with a pestle: that a lamp may burn always, In the tabernacle of the testimony, without the veil that hangs before the testimony. And Aaron and his sons shall order it, that it may give light before the Lord until the morning. It shall be a perpetual observance throughout their successions among the children of Israel. — Exodus xxvii. 20-1. DRC

The Mass ends with a procession, as it began.
After Mass the new bells pealed for a long and happy duration.

It has been a hot July in Cleveland. People at St. Casimir, two weeks ago, were in high heat and humidity, and people were fanning themselves constantly. Here, at Wendelin, the air was far less close, but at one moment it got warm and the simultaneous fanning began, but soon subsided. The fan is a souvenir of the day, and reminder for next week. I have only seen such fans in African-American congregations (often advertising funeral homes) before. No, fans are not sacramentals.

Parish re-Constitution Convention

On Wednesday, 25 April 2012 at 7.00 p.m., at the former Alliance of Poles Auditorium, 6966 Broadway Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44105 there will be a

Parish re-Constitution Convention

for Saint Barbara, and Saint Casimir, and Saint Wendelin* parishes. All parishioners, prospective parishioners, and friends are invited.

They are ready, and willing to fully resume parish life. They will also collect signatures to an appeal letter to be sent to Richard Lennon asking him to re-open Saint Margaret Mary, South Euclid. A Christian parish supports other parishes.
__________________________
* postscriptum: Saint Wendelin added on Monday

Parish opening celebration at Wendelin's

At 7.30 p.m. a street vigil of celebration as scheduled at St. Wendelin, Cleveland. The press came early. At one point, it was almost a one to one correspondence.
More people came. People on the sidewalk were engaged in conversation. While that was going on, a choir was positioning itself on the steps. They began singing, and then people understood the service began. Interspersed between the singing were prayers, and petitions of thanks, and people giving testimonials. Friends from other parishes came too, that is Christian Solidarity.
Twenty minutes after the service was ended, and the press was gone for the moment, people were still there. Half an hour later still, some were still there. There is your picture of "VIBRANCY", that 'buzzword'. You know when the priest says, "The Mass is Ended", and three minutes later not a person is amongst the pews, and the nave is devoid of people; well there is not much parish life there. Here at Saint Wendelin's, there is no priest, no utilities, and the people are still there. They enjoy each other's company. They talk about everything, and nothing. There the parish is alive. Rome confirmed that the parish did not go extinct.

Lennon chose not to exercise his right of appeal, not for mercy. He did not appeal for it was finally impressed upon him, that, he could not win an appeal, and Rome would not appreciate an appeal. He grudgingly recognised that defeat, but would not admit that the parishioners were right.

Saint Wendelin Trusts in Jesus

Saint Wendelin, Cleveland, Ohio, has resumed their street prayer on Sundays. This was the third gathering since the news arrived ordering the Bishop of Cleveland to restore the parish. They all knew Dick Lennon was wrong, now they have a Roman Decree stating so.

They read a couple psalms, sang, prayed, spoke of the news concerning the appeals, and socialised with each other. This is what a parish does.
A small boy plays with a tiny car on the threshold of his parish church. He is continuing parish life in a manner he understands, and enjoys. His acumen, at this point, is greater than many adults.
Elaine Andrews (Ondrejka) Carroll spoke of the billboards celebrating the Vatican's message to the recalcitrant Bishop Lennon. The billboards were not just for St. Wendelin, but for all the parishes that had the courage to continue in appeal for redress and restoration.

Saint Wendelin, Cleveland, O., Parish Picture

On a very busy day on the church calendar, it was also Divine Mercy Sunday. The motto of that devotion is, 'We Trust in Jesus'. The Divine Mercy of Jesus was the patron for all the parishioners whom refused to walk away from their church and parish. They would not surrender their canonical rights. They would not abandon their Christian community which was instituted to be perpetual.

More Catholic Billboards

Recently, an electronic billboard urged the Bishop of Cleveland to obey Rome, and re-open the churches of thirteen (13) parishes, and to return those parishes to status quo ante 2009. Well, this afternoon that original notice has been put on a paper billboard on West 20th and Lorain, visible to those travelling westward. (the photographer was hassled by a motorcycle cop) The West Side Market bell tower is visible in the background.
Now, the original message on Carnegie's electronic board has two messages. One is a bi-lingual (English, Italian) thank you to the Vatican, with the emblem that is on the Vatican State flag. The other that is far more timely, and for the immediate future welcomes all people to Saint Colman's for this Sunday afternoon (1.30 p.m.) for a Mass of Thanksgiving.
The benefactress, who arranged and paid for these public announcements has been interviewed about the original sign by WTAM 1100 radio. Expect to see the messages for the next four weeks. Radio reporter Collen O'Neill interviewed the parishioner, Elaine Carroll (née Ondrejka), who has valiantly advocated for her parish, Saint Wendelin's, and all parishes of the Cleveland diocese.

Read the Sign

Bishop of The Cleveland Catholic Diocese,
REOPEN
OUR CHURCH DOORS!
RESTORE
OUR PARISHES!
Parishes Decreed to be Reopened by the VATICAN
NOW!

Wherefore he hath sent the part of the hand which hath written this that is set down. And this is the writing that is written: MANE, THECEL, PHARES. And this is the interpretation of the word. MANE: God hath numbered thy kingdom, and hath finished it. THECEL: you are weighed in the balance, and are found wanting. — Daniel v. 24-7. DRC

And the signs said: "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls,
And whisper'd in the sound of silence. — Paul Simon

A mother and daughter, who are both very, very, proud, and fervent Slovak Catholics of the Roman rite, who are very loyal and spirited members of Saint Wendelin of Cleveland, a parish which is ordered to be re-opened, and are living in Texican exile, have paid for this electronic billboard on East 14th and Carnegie. Catch it between advertisements for tires, and cigars.

St. Wendelin: Candlelight Marian Service

Wendelin's parish was episcopally suppressed and endured a Mass of Eviction on 23 May. Lennon is Cleveland's bishop, and a parish member, James Armstrong (aka Chippie), was his diocesan officer of parish dismemberment, until very recently. The last days of the open parish were divisive. A committed group of members wished to have the parish stay open and continue, others fell to lennonist opinion.

Still there are members who continue on with parish life. A grotto shrine of Mary sits to the right of the church on Columbus Road. Its statue has been removed by the auspices of the chancery by their contractor, Henniger's Religious Goods.
Late Thursday afternoon, the 7th of October, several members of the suppressed St. Patrick's of Cleveland, and a few others attended a Mass at the latin rite cathedral, and then went to their home parish to light luminaries in honor of Mary and to ask her intercession to re-open their hostage parishes. Some of the extension letters of appeal, from the Vatican, had been on Marian holidays.

To-day at noon, at the suppressed parish of St. James there was an America Needs Fatima rally. This evening there was a Candlelight Marian Prayer Service at St. Wendelin's. It was for the cause of uniting members of the closed parishes in solidarity. They prayed and sang in front of the grotto. Someone brought a smaller traveling statue as an object of focus in substitution. They began by singing, Christ, Be Our Light.
The faith of some remains constant.
A few can spend their time together in the names of Jesus and Mary to pray for their parishes.
Prayers in candlelight, the faith still glows warm

St. Wendelin makes 5

at St. Emeric after the first great cascade of rain subsided
group photograph of some of the Emeric exiles
part of the initial prayer circle at St. Wendelin
Huddled under a maple tree a group of umbrellas shielded the Emeric exiles through a sporadic downpour of summer rain. They prayed and sang as they and others have been since the lennonist evictions.

Friday, their representative, John Juhasz and his wife, Edith, had a meeting with their bishop, Richard Lennon. Lennon was in his non-public persona. He raged, and re-invented the past: now, financial situations and priest shortages were not the stated reasons for closure, and how his new pastoral iniative was wonderful, and the good catholics accepted it. St. Emeric's parish stalwarts would not concede, that, their suppression was good for them. They wanted, at the minimum, for their church to be opened as long as Rome continued to review their appeal. They also wanted some consideration for their beloved priest, Father Sandor Siklodi, whom had been treated with the highest disregard and discourtesy by Lennon. They also asked for the quixotic--a Mass of Reconciliation to be concelebrated by both priests.

It was a difficult hour. Lennon defines a good catholic as one obedient to him. Richie and his flunkies have made the comment that we do not have faith, and are not good catholics. He does not even concede or accept the obvious and neutral statement, that, we do not agree with him. By this, we can logically concur, that, only lennonists are catholics: BULLS***.

Lennon the mad tyrant has driven the faithful to the streets. We remain constant. So catholics are compelled to give public witness, that their faith is constant. It is with Jesus, and Lennon is no satisfactory substitute for Jesus. They go in front of their confiscated churches to continue their parish life, and continue, and even grow in their faith.

Saint Emeric (Magyar/Hungarian) is very close, in proximity, to Saint Wendelin (Slovak). They have helped to jump start the prayer vigil at Wendelin's.

The attachment one develops with one's parish is highly personal, and sometimes, idiosyncratic. Gayle Hudak married into the parish. She is firmly christian, but not a catholic, yet far more devoted than most. After attending the Emeric circle, she went the last two weeks, by herself, to pray before Wendelin's church, her parish. Last night, she invited others. To-day, began Wendelin's street witnessing exile after the eviction. One vehicle, the people therein, recognised what was transpiring, and gave an affirmative wave of greeting, and salute.