Fr. James Berardi: Outstanding cause to celebrate

One of St. Paul’s own, Fr. James Joseph Berardi, marked his Golden Jubilee – a priest for half a century – on May 23, 2009. He will commemorate his ordination at the 11 a.m. Mass next Sunday, June 14, at the altar in the new church which is about 25 feet east of the altar still remaining in the old church where he celebrated his first Mass on Trinity Sunday in 1959.

For more than half of his years as a priest --25 plus years– Father Berardi was chaplain of Akron City Hospital unil December 2007. He was a classmate of Bishop Anthony Pilla

It is not often that a parish is given the honor of producing a priest of the Catholic faith. It is rarer still to have him still celebrating Mass there almost every Sunday.

Next Sunday thus will be cause for a great celebration in his honor -- a reception after the 11 a.m. Mass in Boeke Hall.

Fr. Berardi has appeared in several articles on St. Paul TODAY about his retirement and his great love for drama. If you pay close attention next Sunday, Father might forget his mike is on in the sacristy before Mass, and you can hear one of this great jokes.

Below is the tribute paid to Father Berardi when he was chosen the Fr. Thomas Mahar Outstanding Alumni of 2007 by the St. Vincent / St. Mary Parish:

Father James Joseph Berardi was born in Akron, Ohio at St. Thomas Hospital on March 16, 1933, to Marie and Joseph Berardi. He was the second of two children.

He and his family were members of St. Paul parish where Father attended grade school for all eight years. In the fall of 1947, Father began as a freshman at St. Vincent High School. He was one of only three students from his eighth grade class at St. Paul's to attend St. Vincent that year. He had no choice in the matter. His father had graduated from St. Vincent High School in 1921 and his grandfather, Frank Berardi, had been the janitor at St. Vincent for many years. Father was told by his dad, "You are going to St. Vincent! Period!" And that he did! While there, he was a member of the National Honor Society, a Latin scholar, a member of the Classical Latin League, Scholarship Team, and an acolyte for four years. Father was also an accomplished banjo player and enjoyed singing and ballroom dancing.

An avid Irish sports fan, Father worked during high school and was unable to participate in sports. Even today, he keeps up with all of our teams and, although he is unable to attend many of our sporting events, he is the first to open the sports section of the newspaper to check to see if STVM has won or lost - no matter what the sport.

After graduating from St. Vincent in the spring of 1951, Father entered St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana in September of that year. He then went on to Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe and finished at St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland. Father was ordained on May 23, 1959. His first Mass was celebrated at his home parish, St. Paul, on May 24, 1959. His first assignment came in June of that year to St. Rose Parish in Cleveland.

He also served at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Cleveland, St. Peter in Lorain, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Wickliffe, and St. Mary, St. Vincent, and Annunciation Parishes in Akron. During that time he also served at Middlebury Manor and University Park Nursing Homes, with monthly Mass and anointings. He has served as Catholic Chaplain of Akron City Hospital for the past 24 1/2 years.

Father averages 100 anointings per week, plus 280 Communions per week. In his 24 1/2 years as Chaplain, Father has anointed approximately 130,000 patients! Known for his jokes, Father has brought many a smile to his patients' faces.

During his years as a parish priest, Father demonstrated his love of the theater by starting Drama Guilds at three of his parishes: St. Rose, St. Vincent, and Annunciation. Proceeds from his productions always benefited the parish in some way - either their CYO programs or other parish needs. He wrote and produced 10 original scripts, - all musical spoofs - resulting in nearly 20 productions divided between St. Vincent and Annunciation parishes.

Father supports and attends all StVM fundraisers and events. He is a member of our Shamrock Society. He often helps by saying grace before meals and benediction at many of our dinners and events. He has been a longtime member of our Athletic Boosters' 200 Club. He is also known for his generosity at our annual Mothers' Night Out.

In his "spare" time, Father enjoys reading, woodcrafting, crossword puzzles and eating spaghetti, plus watching his favorite television show, "Walker, Texas Ranger:'

Please see also:

Fr. James J. Berardi: Chaplain for 25-plus years (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)

Centennial features Fr. Berardi thespians (Saturday, March 29, 2008)

This article also appears on the parish website.