He is featured in an article by religion writer Colette M. Jenkins on the front of the Community section of the Akron Beacon Journal today
Jerry Kelly, a parishioner at St. Vincent and the fundraising and event coordinator at Visitation of Mary, will be director as she has been for
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| Jerry Kelly and Fr. Berardi [Beacon photo by Karen Schiely] |
Fr Berardi, who comes from a musically talented family, started singing at an early age. His late father, Joe, sang, played the violin and led his own band in the early to mid-1920s. Fr. Berardi is known to be ready with a joke and to spontaneously break out in song during conversations.
Fr. Berardi celebrates the daily 7 a,m. Mass and some Sunday Masses at St. Paul.
Fr. Berardi was born March 16, 1933 at St. Thomas Hospital and grew up in Firestone Park on Glenmount. He was ordained May 23, 1959 and celebrated his first Mass on Trinity Sunday in 1959 in the old St. Paul Catholic Church which was razed in August 2000 and replaced by the newchurch dedicated by Bishop Pilla on October 26, 2003.
He was chaplain at Akron City Hospital for more than half his years as a priest–25 plus years. He was appointed chaplain on February 6, 1984 and gave up the job reluctantly on the strong advice of his doctors because of a low immune system. His last day at the hospital was November 26,2007. His retirement is listed by the Diocese as December 15, 2007. Fr. Berardi is known for his interests in drama and humor and has a wide knowledge of church history.
Fr.Berardi established the St. Vincent Parish drama guild in 1975 and the group performed eight shows in seven years. When he left St. Vincent for an assignment at Annunciation Parish (now Visitation of Mary Parish), the name of the guild was changed to A.C.T.O.R. (Akron Catholic Thespians of Renown).
Godfather 4, like the other 18 musical comedies presented by the drama guild, is written and produced by Berardi and directed by Kelly. It is the story of two rival clans — the Obeso family and the Bono family — vying for power in the city of Corleone, Sicily, in 1899.
The Bono family is headed by Godfather Antonio. The Obeso family is led by Godmother Italia. They send their children to law school at Napoli University. The Godfather sends Luigi and the Godmother sends Rosa.'' Berardi, whose character is Gpdfather Giovanni, accompanies Luigi to the university. Kelly, who plays G\odmother Florenzia, goes with Rosa.
Kelly is a parishioner at St. Vincent and the fundraising and event coordinator at Visitation of Mary. The Texas native has loved to act, sing and dance since she was a child. She studied speech and drama at Kilgore College in Texas, where she was selected best actress of the drama department in her second year.
In addition, Kelly has performed on the Ed Sullivan Show; at the annual Philadelphia Music Festival; and at the Uline Arena and the Capitol Theater, both in Washington, D.C. She has also performed at sporting events, including the Cotton Bowl and All-Star games at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Kelly volunteered for stage crew work at the old Weathervane Theater on Copley Road. She has performed in all of Berardi's parish drama guild productions.
Tickets for Godfather 4 are $8 for adults and $3 for children through 12 years old. They are available by calling Visitation of Mary Church at 330-535-4141, ext. 12.
Read the Beacon Journal story
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