The Cleveland District celebrated Sts. Anne & Joachim Day of Recollection on Friday July 24th at our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Euclid, OH. St. Anne was chosen as the Patroness of FCSLA by our founding mothers back in 1892. Sts. Anne & Joachim are the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Sts. Anne & Joachim once again blest us with a perfect day! The weather was so beautiful we were able to celebrate Mass outside at the Shrine. To quote our District Financial Secretary & National Auditor, Barb Sekerak, “St. Anne surely watched over us – like any grandmother would.”
Bishop Roger Gries, OSB was the celebrant and was assisted by Msgr. Peter Polando ‐ National Chaplain FCSLA; Fr. Gerard Gonda, OSB ‐ Cleveland District Chaplain; Fr. Jerome Lajack – Branch S‐408; Fr. Michael Brunovsky, OSB; Bro. Thomas Sanders, OSB – organist; and Bro. Louis Carey, OSB – server.
Lunch was served in the St. Ann’s Dining Hall by the Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity. And as always they out did themselves with a delicious meal. Following lunch Cleveland District President Joyce Lechman acknowledged special guests in attendance: the FCSLA 2015 scholarship winners from the Cleveland District; FCSLA National President Cynthia M. Maleski, Esq.; FCSLA National Treasurer, Steve Hudak; Past National President Maryann Johanek, Past National Secretary Irene Drotleff and the Cleveland District Officers.
All the youth members in attendance were put to work after lunch by assisting Bishop Gries with the “Endless Raffle” as he called it (and you know that name will stick with it for years to come). Thank you to all the branches that so generously donated all the wonderful gifts! Congratulations to all the winners!
The celebration ended with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Rosary and Benediction led by Fr. Gerard Gonda in the Chapel.
A BIG THANK YOU to EVERYONE who worked so hard to make St. Anne’s Day celebration so enjoyable. You know who you are. And a BIG THANK YOU to Sts. Anne & Joachim for blessing us with the beautiful weather!
To see photos from the event, visit the FCSLA Cleveland District photo gallery.
