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BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — The nuns of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery raised almost $175,000 at their annual Bridegroom Banquet fundraiser Nov. 10. The nuns raised $87,486 from the 280 people in attendance, as well as donors who contributed before the event, and a generous anonymous donor pledged to match the amount raised.
The funds will go towards general monastery expenses, hospitality expenses, and renovations to their chapel bathrooms, lighting, roof, gutters, siding and mold removal in the chapel basement.
The evening began prayerfully with Vespers, celebrated by Father Dennis Hrubiak at St. Joseph Parish. Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, of Parma presided.
A banquet followed in the New Orleans Party Center downstairs. Father Eric Garris of the Diocese of Cleveland served as master of ceremonies. He introduced the nuns to their guests, as well as the video they produced, called “Christ Our Bridegroom.”
The video was an evening highlight. In it, the nuns explained that the Old Testament prophets point to a Bridegroom Messiah. John the Baptist, when seeing Jesus, says “Behold the Bridegroom,” and identifies himself as a friend of the bridegroom. At the resurrection, the church teaches that Jesus came forth from the tomb as a bridegroom from his bridal chamber.
Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate act of spousal love, pouring himself out for his Bride, the Church, just as every husband is called to do for his wife. It is also a reminder for Christians of their call to pour out their love for each other and to die to self by willingly consenting to the suffering in their lives, just as Christ did.
The symbols in the Bridegroom icon were also explained. The video included personal testimonies from people who have visited the nuns, who expressed how all who visit the monastery on retreat are invited into a real relationship with Jesus as Bridegroom.
After the video, the guests made their donations and pledges. Roman Catholic seminarian Joe Menkhaus and Deacon David Stavarz provided musical entertainment while the donations were counted.
Funds raised at two previous banquets were used to remodel three poustinias, or simple cabins, used for personal prayer and retreats.
The new poustinias were blessed July 21, by Bishop Lach and Archbishop Cyril Vasil, SJ, secretary of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, during his summer travels to the United States. Each poustinia is dedicated to a saint: St. Mary of Egypt, St. Zosimas and St. Photina.
To watch the video, make a donation or reserve some retreat time in a poustinia, go to www.christthebridegroom.com. The “Christ Our Bridegroom” video is embedded on the “About” page.
Caption: Mother Theodora Strohmeyer, hegoumena of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery, poses for a photo at the monastery fundraiser Nov. 10, flanked by Mary Kate Glowe, left, and Andrea Zabor. (Photo: Sarah Fetsko)
As published in Horizons, Dec. 2, 2018.
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