The "New" Catholic Parish: Transfiguration

[Paul Schrimpf]

Just a note to share some news from the merger committee that's working to bring together the Catholic parish communities of SS Cyril & Methodius and St. Rose of Lima. As part of the merger, one of our assignments was to recommend names to the Bishop. After a process that solicited suggestions from both congregations, the name Transifiguration was selected. Below is a release sent out to the media yesterday from our communications committee.

NEW PARISH IN CLEVELAND/LAKEWOOD TO BE NAMED “TRANSFIGURATION”

Cleveland Catholic Diocese Bishop Richard Lennon has affirmed that the new parish to be formed from the merger of St. Rose of Lima parish and Ss. Cyril and Methodius parish will be named “Transfiguration.” The new parish will open on Sunday, March 21, 2010; both existing parishes will close the weekend of March 13 -14 in preparation for the opening of Transfiguration parish.

The new parish name, chosen from among ten selections submitted by parishioners at the current parishes, commemorates an event in the life of Jesus Christ in which he appeared to his apostles in radiant glory, along with Moses and Elijah. Symbolic readings of the event recognize Moses and Elijah as symbols of the Jewish law and the prophets, respectively, and the transfigured Christ as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. The Transfiguration is reported in the gospels of Matthew (17:1-9), Mark (9:2-8) and Luke (9:28 – 36), and alluded to in the gospel of John (1:14).

The words attributed to St. Peter as he witnessed the Transfiguration, “Lord, how good it is that we are here,” were referenced by Bishop Lennon in his announcement of the new parish name. “What more beautiful words of inspiration and support could there be for two faith communities as they become one,” noted the Bishop.

In 2002, Pope John Paul II identified the Transfiguration as one of the five Luminous Mysteries of the church. The Feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated in the Roman Catholic calendar on August 6, which will become the feastday of the new parish. The name was previously used for a parish on Cleveland’s east side serving the Polish-American Catholic community; the former Transfiguration parish was closed in 1992.

Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish, located at 12608 Madison Avenue in Lakewood, is an ethnic parish serving the Slovak-American Catholic community. Formed in 1903, it is the oldest Catholic church in Lakewood. Parishioners of the new Transfiguration parish will continue to worship at the historic Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church. Saint Rose of Lima Parish, located at 11411 Detroit Avenue in Cleveland, was formed in 1901; the disposition of the St. Rose of Lima church will be addressed following the merger.

Transfiguration parish, while continuing to welcome Slovak-American parishioners, will be a territorial parish serving Northwestern Cleveland and Eastern Lakewood. Together with the parishes of St. Luke and St. Clement, it will be part of the Cleveland-Lakewood parish cluster, collaborating to serve the needs of Catholics throughout Lakewood and Cleveland’s near west side. The pastor of the new parish will be named by Bishop Lennon in the upcoming months. Teams of parishioners from Ss. Cyril and Methodius and Saint Rose will make recommendations to the new pastor regarding the mass schedule, devotions, social services and other activities of the new parish at that time.


Mission Statement – Transfiguration Parish

We are a Roman Catholic community serving Eastern Lakewood and Northwest Cleveland, Ohio. We come together from different cultures and traditions, united by our shared faith in Christ and desire to respond to His call. We encourage spiritual growth through prayer and worship, education, social life, and outreach to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

We value charity, and seek to share God's gifts with those less fortunate or marginalized by society. We value community, and seek to build caring relationships between our parishioners across generations. We value family life, and seek to serve the different needs of families and single persons.

Through our actions, we share God's love with our families, our neighborhood, and the world.

[Stan Austin]

Paul--- Thank you for the continuing updates. The future of this new parish will impact Lakewood well into the future. SS. Cyril and Methodius has been a community mainstay as well as a religious beacon.
Also, for a non Catholic, I find your historical explanation fascinating.
Continued good wishes in your efforts.
Stan Austin

[Paul Schrimpf]

Thank you, Stan. There are many wonderful people working on committees to bring the parish communities together. It's both exciting and painful, as the reality of what's happening sets in. Maintaining that anchor position for eastern Lakewood and western Cleveland is clearly one of our main goals. There's a lot to do! But we're getting there one step at a time.

[Michael Deneen]

I want to thank Paul and the numerous volunteers that have selflessly donated thousands of hours to assist in this extremely difficult process. I'm sure that the parish will be a vital part of the community for decades to come.