Candles lit in memory of nurses

Lighting candles in memory of nurses are  Sharon Neal, Robert Brodbeck and Laura Miller

The pews were filled for the fourth annual Tribute to Nurses Mass at St. Paul Church on Thursday evening.

Candles were lit for more than 100 deceased nurses who were remembered with the Mass.  Lighting of the candles, arranged on tables in front of the altar, was an impressive part of the memorial tribute which included a procession of a Nurses Honor Guard and reading of the names of the deceased..

The reception following the Mass was the first event in the newly-refurbished Parish Activity Center.

It seemed everyone, from the celebrant, to the choir soloist, the honor guard  and even the extraordinary ministers of communion were RNs.

The Rev. Fr. Neil P. Kookoothe, pastor of St. Clarence Parish in North Olmsted who is a registered nurse, was Back as celebrant and gave a stirring homily.  Concelebrants were the Rev. Fr. Ralph Thomas, pastor, the Rev. Fr. Matthew Ischay, St. Paul associate, and the Rev Fr. Disma Byarugaba, City Hospital chaplain.

Fr. Thomas provided a special blessing for the nurses.

The Peace Together Choir returned for the third year to sing.  Soloist Aleta Killian RN sang “Amazing Grace.”
                  
The First Reading was by Cathy Wronkovich RN and the Second Reading by Michael Kline RN. Petitions were announced by Nancy Heaton RN. Extraordinary Ministers were Liz Muntean RN and Kathy Hausch RN.

Members of the Nurses Honor Guard were     Jo-nell Martin, Linda McCoy,  Carolyn Baird, Carol Marquinez, Elileen McClarnion and Vicky Wells.


Judy Tempera was pianist and Chris Marks and Grace Gorman were cantors. John Buckenberger is director of the Peace Choir.

Regular co-chairs for the memorial tribute are Mary DiDonato RN and Robert Brodbeck, both St. Paul parishioners.

Brodbeck, who is St. Paul School principal, has established a scholarship fund for nursing education at the university in honor of his late wife, Carole, a longtime nurse who designed and led the AU College of Nursing in the accelerated nursing program which is designed to help individuals establish a second career in the nursing profession.

On the first Saturday of every November, her husband organizes the Carol A. Brodbeck Memorial Walk, which raises funds for the scholarship.

A side note: There is a Mass at 7 a.m. Monday at St. Paul in memory of Carole.

Following is a list of nurses remembered at the tribute Mass.

Please click on the headline to view an album of photos by Tony DiDonato on the Tribute to Nurses