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Father Weist shares his 50 years of priesthood with Theology on Tap West
After half a century in the priesthood, Father Edward (Ned) Weist has lots of stories to tell. He shared a few with those attending last month’s Theology on Tap West gathering. “50 Years of Priesthood, 50 Years of Stories” was the topic.
“You pronounce Weist like priest, so I guess I was meant for this,” he quipped.
Father Weist, who was ordained on May 31, 1969, served at several parishes and in other roles until his retirement in July 2012.
A native of Cleveland’s West Side, he grew up in Rocky River, where his father was a longtime member of the city’s police force. Father Weist said he was born in the “Old Angle” area of Cleveland and was baptized at St. Malachi Church, which once was a very Irish area of the city. His family tree includes Cooney, Berry and Patton branches, he said, noting his Irish heritage. Although Weist may appear to be German, Father assured the gathering he’s Irish.
He talked about serving Mass as a boy at St. Christopher Church in Rocky River. “We prayed the rosary every night as a family when I was a kid,” he said. That helped open his heart to his priestly vocation, Father Weist said.
He was no saint as a young boy, he said, sharing a story about playing in the woods when Magnificat High School was being built at Wagar Road and Hilliard Boulevard in Rocky River. He and his friends were surprised to see one of the nuns – the school’s first principal. Years later – after ordination -- Father Weist was serving as the school chaplain and he encountered the same nun. He said she was amused when he shared the story of their first meeting.
He also recalled a time when he and some friends were playing in Rocky River Methodist Church while it was under construction. He was in the basement when a police officer caught him and scolded him, which was embarrassing because of his father being a police officer.
“Years later, when my niece graduated from Rocky River High School, I was asked to do an ecumenical prayer service at the baccalaureate – which was in that church. I told the story of the last time I’d been in the church and how I nearly got arrested,” he said, laughing. “And I talked about how nice it was to be able to be in the church to pray with everyone,” he said, noting that at one time it was frowned upon for a Catholic to pray in a non-Catholic church.
Father Weist also shared some moving stories, including when he was a deacon assigned to St. Mary Parish in Wooster. One day while he was alone at the parish, he got a call from a young couple whose newborn baby had just died. They wanted to talk with someone. He explained how difficult it was and that they all cried together. “I thought it was a sign in my discernment that I couldn’t do this,” he said. But a few days later, he got a note from the couple thanking him. “They said that through my tears, they felt like God was crying with them. That letter made me keep trying. If not for the letter, I’d probably not have continued.”
He said the incident reminded him of Jesus on the cross talking to the two criminals who were crucified with him and the one criminal’s conversion.
“What does Jesus do in the face of suffering? He walks with us,” Father Weist said. “I can’t open my shirt and show you a big ‘S,’ but that grieving mother helped me see that I don’t have all the answers.”
Another time while at his first assignment, an upset woman called and wanted to speak with a priest. The other priests at the parish said they’d all met with her and were not able to help her. The woman’s son had been killed in Vietnam and she was bitter and angry. He listened, and then suggested that she visit the pieta statue in the church, telling her Mary could help since they both were mothers whose sons were killed unjustly.
“I heard back from her a few weeks later. She told me she went to the statue and was finally at peace,” he said.
He also shared a personal story of loss, talking about when his 25-year-old brother died by suicide of carbon monoxide poisoning in the garage. “It really hurt the family,” he said, adding that someone told him his mother was lucky he was a priest.
“But I was hurting and who was helping me?” he asked, recalling that he even thought about leaving ministry.
“I can’t explain it, but the Lord spoke to me deep in my heart and said that if I loved my brother that much, how much did I think the Lord loved him. Hearing the voice of God helped me so much. And it’s helped me when I’ve encountered other families touched by suicide.” Father Weist said he heard about a workshop for first responders to suicide calls and one woman he had helped suggested him as a speaker. He went and shared his personal story.
“You don’t go to people with theology books and dogma. You meet them where they are,” he said. By sharing his experience he said he’s been able to reach family members impacted by suicide. He said it’s a blessing to be able to help them encounter the Lord.
In addition to serving as a parochial vicar, pastor and co-pastor, Father Weist studied in Rome and spent time serving as diocesan vice chancellor and chancellor, secretary and vicar for clergy and religious, co-delegate and delegate for clergy.
Much like the Emmaus story from Scripture, Father Weist said he has walked with many people through the years. “Being able to find and have good friends to walk with me on my journey has helped to keep me going. The cross isn’t the end,” he said, urging those gathered to “Lift up your hearts.”
Watch Archbishop-designate Perez’s installation in Philadelphia live on diocesan website
The Mass of installation for Philadelphia Archbishop-designate Nelson Perez will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 18 in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in downtown Philadelphia.
About 1,200 people – including dozens of archbishops and bishops, at least one cardinal, Philadelphia clergy and family and friends of the archbishop-designate -- are expected to fill the historic cathedral, which has been open since 1864, for the liturgy. Several hundred more will watch the Mass from an adjacent chapel and thousands more likely will view a live stream of the event. Several television stations also plan to carry a live feed of the Mass.
Click HERE to view the liturgy on the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland website.
A contingent of diocesan representatives, including some members of the clergy and senior staff, will be traveling to Philadelphia for the archbishop-designate’s installation Mass.
After the clergy processes into the cathedral, the Archbishop-designate Perez will be presented with a crucifix by the cathedral rector before he proceeds to a chair near the ambo. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States, will read the formal letter of appointment from Pope Francis and present it to the archbishop-designate, who will display it to those assembled.
Then the new archbishop will be escorted by retiring Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., to the cathedra -- the archbishop’s official chair in the cathedral. Once seated, Archbishop-designate Perez becomes the new leader of the archdiocese.
He also will receive the crosier, a tall, hooked staff carried by a bishop or archbishop. The crosier symbolizes the archbishop’s role as shepherd of his flock. Its roots can be traced to the walking staffs used by travelers at the time of Christ.
The new archbishop will continue celebrating the liturgy.
He also will be introduced to people representing facets of the archdiocese, including clergy, representatives of other faiths and public officials, staff, nationality groups and organizations in the diocese.
After Mass, there will be a private reception for invited members of the clergy, staff and the new archbishop’s family and friends.
He will begin his governance of the archdiocese immediately.
Once Archbishop-designate Perez is installed in Philadelphia, the bishop’s office in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland will become vacant. The College of Consultors, a group of diocesan clergy members, will meet to vote and elect a diocesan administrator. The name will be presented to the papal nuncio and the Holy See for confirmation.
There is no timetable for appointing a new bishop for Cleveland. Generally, it takes at least six months and involves a lengthy consultation process. The procedure for selecting a bishop is laid out in the canon law of the Church.
Grateful for the ministry of Archbishop-designate Perez
Throughout his two and a half years as the shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, Archbishop-designate Perez has impacted the lives of many of the faithful of Northeast Ohio. Watch the video below that highlights his ministry and travels in the diocese.
Rest In Peace William Megesi
William Megesi, age 100, Beloved husband of Deloris (nee Lang) (deceased); loving father of Doris Megesi and William J. Megesi; dear grandfather of Billy, Jenn, Becky, Keith and Brad; great grandfather of seven. U.S. Navy Veteran, WWII. Prayer services Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 at THE MALLCHOK FUNERAL HOME, 5660 RIDGE RD., PARMA, OH at 9:30 a.m. Funeral Mass St. Leo the Great Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS AT THE FUNERAL HOME TUESDAY 3:30-7:30 P.M.
https://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=195398532
Bulletin for February 16, 2020 →
St. Leo “Lions in Washington 2020” Night with the Cleveland Monsters- Friday, February 28, 2020!
St. Leo “Lions in Washington 2020” Night with the Cleveland Monsters!
Friday, February 28, 2020
Cleveland Monsters vs. Belleville Senators – 7:00pm
All tickets are just $20 for St. Leo the Great families & friends
* Discounted from $27 gameday pricing.
* A portion of proceeds donated back to Lions in Washington fund!
Support students Washington DC trip as they host the 50/50 Raffle! * Proceeds to benefit St. Leo Lions Washington 2020 trip and the
Monsters Community Fund
WWE Night with the Monsters!
* Championship Fanny Pack giveaway to first 10,000 fans! o 1-2-3 Friday! $1 soda, $2 hotdogs, $3 select beer
To order tickets, return completed order form below and payment to:
St. Leo School Office or Rectory ATTN: Lions in Washington 2020
Catholic Charities’ in-pew appeal this weekend will help provide hope for those in need.
The faithful across the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland will have an opportunity to help Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland continue its mission of serving others by making a pledge or donating Feb. 8-9 during the annual parish in-pew appeal.
Parishioners will learn about Catholic Charities and can fill out a pledge envelope or make a donation by credit card, check or a new option -- text-to-donate -- using a smartphone.
The central theme for this year’s appeal is “Though we are Many, We are one in Christ.” The theme focuses on the idea that as the many parts of one body in Christ, we pray, comfort, help and serve one another as our Christian calling. As one body in Christ, we work together to respond to those in need throughout Northeast Ohio, regardless of their race or creed.
Catholic Charities’ programs focus on building a just and compassionate society – one that embraces sharing the leadership gifts given to us by Christ so that we can better respond to the #FacesofHope across the diocese.
For Monyana, one of the #FacesofHope featured in the 2020 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal, that means working toward a brighter future. When Monyana found out she was going to be a single mother, she relied on assistance from Catholic Charities and the Help Me Grow home-based program.
“I got great resources through Catholic Charities,” Monyana said, explaining she received clothing, diapers and a place to call home when her living situation became unsteady. Monyana also benefited from insights shared with her by Christine, her Help Me Grow caseworker. Learning to bond with a baby and recognizing milestones in infant growth are among the vital skills Monyana has gleaned through Help Me Grow.
Today, Monyana is the proud mother of a 1-year-old daughter, Manama.
“If I hadn’t found Catholic Charities, I might have given up on being a mother,” Monyana said. Instead, she and her daughter are building a life with hope for the future.
Watch a video about Monyana’s story HERE.
For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities has worked to respond to all of those in need throughout Northeast Ohio.
“Together as leaders, we can change the faces of despair, loneliness, darkness and addiction into #FacesofHope,” said Patrick Gareau, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.
After several record-setting years, the 2020 appeal goal is $13.5 million. The appeal is managed by the Catholic Community Foundation. It supports Catholic Charities’ ministries throughout Northeast Ohio, one of the region’s most significant health and human service providers. Annually, Catholic Charities assists more than 400,000 people in need as it addresses some of the most pressing social issues, including homelessness, addiction, families in crisis and care for the elderly.
For more information on this year’s appeal, to make a secure online donation or to view video stories of those helped by Catholic Charities, visit CatholicCommunity.org/2020Appeal or call Karen Joyce, 216-696-6525, Ext. 1910.