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PARMA, Ohio — Many of the people traveled long distances to join those from local parishes to attend the June 30 celebration for the enthronement of Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, as the fifth bishop of the Eparchy of Parma.
Bethany Saunders of St. Nicholas Parish in Barberton, Ohio, expressed her hope for the episcopate of Bishop Lach.
“I hope he continues what he has done, continues his vision and works with the gifts he has been given,” she said.
Donna Raupp traveled from St. Stephen Parish in Allen Park, Michigan. “God grant him many years. It’s not an easy thing with the condition of the church now,” she said in reference to the challenges he will face in his ministry. “I wish him a lot of stamina.”
Bob Hertenstein of St. Louis Mission in St. Louis said he hopes the bishop will assign his mission a priest, “so we can become a parish!”
His wife, Marilyn, said she believes the new bishop will do well. “It was especially nice to bring up the parish representatives and include them in the celebration,” she said.
Mike Mikhail from Pittsburgh said he appreciated the bishop’s words. “I hope he remains as helpful and humble as he is. I hope he attracts the youth,” he said.
“I hope he’ll be conscientious about remembering the founders of our faith, their love of God and church they brought to the United States. I hope he will respect and honor them,” said Maryann Sivak, a native of Czechoslovakia and president of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society in Pittsburgh.
Marcela Michalkova, a visiting professor in Pittsburgh from Slovakia, said Bishop Lach “seems very family-oriented. I hope he makes Parma his home (so we can) keep him here.”
Mary Snell from the Nativity of the Mother of God Cathedral in Toronto commented that it was nice to see the cooperation of all the churches of different jurisdictions in the area. “I think he will regenerate the eparchy. He’s young, energetic, has a way with kids, is charismatic and has worked with youth in Slovakia. He has ideas, as long as he has support. I hope for a lot of good changes. This makes my heart feel glad,” she said.
Visitor Denise Ivantus said it was very nice to hear the bishop speak in his native language.
“It was good to see him grow from his humble existence to the present,” she said. “He’s young, intelligent and educated to lead action. He’s a very good and spiritual person. We’re very lucky to have him as a leader.”
Several attendees commented on the beauty of the liturgy and the excellent choral singing. The choir was led by Deacon Timothy Woods of St. Mary Parish in Whiting, Indiana, and comprised faithful from across the eparchy.
“The choir was stunning,” said Sivak.
Caption: Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, greets Alfred Pinchak of St. Joseph Parish, among other lay people representing the parishes of the eparchy at the Divine Liturgy of Enthronement. (Photo: Reen Nemeth)
As published in Horizons, July 8, 2017.
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