A message from Father Berardi

A message to St. Paul parishioners:

During the past fifty years I have been privileged to be stationed with some wonderful priests, men of God, true friends and mentors.

Fr. Edmund Kirby was my first pastor at St. Rose Parish in West Cleveland. He was highly respected by his fellow priests and loved by his parishioners. He cared for them and felt responsible for their welfare. God blessed me to be guided and formed by him.

I had the good fortune be with Father John Hilkert of St. Mary’s and Father Tom Corrigan of St. Vincent. Both were priestly priests and hopefully passed this on to me.

ln 1982 Father Horley of Annunciation Parish asked me to be Chaplain of City Hospital. I agreed and continued in this work for the next 25 years. I loved this ministry and found a new family at City. It became a second home to me. But because of health issues I had to take early retirement. I was becoming more of a patient than a chaplain. This was not my choice, but the good Lord had other plans. Twenty five years with the sick took its toll but I would gladly be chaplain again if it were possible. I have been blessed in so many ways in the hospital ministry. I do not regret one single moment being with the patients, God’s children of all ages. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Finally I find myself at my home parish due to the graciousness of Father Ralph. I am indebted to him for his kindness and goodness. I am indebted to the people of St. Paul’s for accepting me into their family.

Be assured of my humble prayers. Thank you for your prayers and good wishes. May God bless you and keep you in the hollow of his hand.

Father Berardi.


Blog Notes: Some information on the pastors mentioned in Fr,. Berardi’s message:

Fr. Kirby was born in Cleveland July 26, 1896 and ordained March 28, 1925. His first assignment was at St. Rose and he served also at St,. Peter in Loudonville and Annunciation in Cleveland and was responsible for building churches in all three of those parishes. He became pastor of St,. Rose in September, 1950 and died December 23, 1967. Fr. Berardi served there from June 10, 1959 to June 11, 1964

Fr. Hilkert was born in Akron December 28, 1918 and ordained December 18, 1943. He served as an associate at St,. Mary from 1959 to 1964 and was named pastor on September 29, 1966. He retired on September 15, 1998 and died July 22, 1999. His obituary noted that he treasured the “strong and lasting bonds he forged with so many of his brother priests.” Fr. Berardi served there from September 30, 1969 to June 30, 1975.

Fr. Corrigan was born April 14, 1922 in Cleveland and ordained May 31, 1947. His first assignment was an associate at St. Vincent. He served in other parishes before returning as pastor of St. Vincent on October 2, 1968. He retired on December 31, 1993, but remained at St,. Vincent. He died June 23, 1995. His obituary noted that “Fr. Corrigan was noted for the great compassion he had for his brother priests” and “his supply of jokes, quips and anecdotes was inexhaustible.” Fr. Berardi served there from June 30, 1975 to June 30, 1982.

Fr Ray J. Horley was born February 25, 1931 and ordained May 24, 1958. He was pastor at Annunciation from December 14, 1978 tp June 24, 1984, He retired February 25, 2001 and resides at SS Mary and Joseph Home in Warrensville Heights, Fr. Berardi served there from June 30, 1982 to February 6, 1984