h1986

Church of SS. Cosmas and Damian
Parish History
1986 - to be continued

     In June 1986, Fr. John John Chlebo was transferred to St. Wenceslas Parish in Maple Heights. He accomplished much in his six years at Ss. Cosmas & Damian. His work with the youth, the young adults, the Pre-Cana, and the renewal teams was noteworthy and greatly appreciated. He was replaced by Fr. Dave Trask, newly ordained on June 7, 1986. Our parish was his first assignment.
     Parishioner Donald Spice, of Braun & Spice, Inc., was chosen as architect of the new parish hall. Ground-breaking ceremonies for the parish social hall took place on Sunday, June 21, 1987. In order to find an appropriate name for the new community hall, a contest was held. Anthony Cafarelli submitted the winning name, Twinhaven. This name aptly describes the purpose of the hall and gives honor to both the founders of our city and the patron saints of our parish. Barb Ciofani was named the manager of Twinhaven. The first official function at the social hall was held in April, 1988.
     In 25 years, we as the parish family of Ss. Cosmas & Damian have seen many changes in our Christian journey. We've seen a growth from 500 families to over 1,100. We have founded and participated in many spiritual organizations and programs seeking to make our faith the living and vibrant force Our Lord meant it to be.
     The seeds have been planted. Now we pray that in the years to come we will see a growth and maturity in our faith and in that of our children. We are also the gardeners. The harvest is the result of our cultivation.

     On June 18, 1991, Bishop Anthony Pilla appointed Father Jim Beatty as Associate Pastor to replace Father Dave Trask. Father Jim had been an ordained priest for 17 years when he came to us from St. Luke's Parish in Lakewood where he had served for seven years. To fill in the gap between Father Jim's arrival and Fr. Dave's departure, Fr. Mike Woost, Fr. Don Brickman and Fr. Jack Dister filled in on the weekends.
     At the end of June in 1994, Father Beatty left SS. Cosmas and Damian to become the Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Avon Lake, Ohio.
     Father Jack Dister was our Associate Pastor for a brief term from July 1994 to 1996. Sunday liturgy help came from the priests of St. Barnabas.
     Our next blessing arrived in November 1996, when a retired hospital chaplain, named Father Joseph Goebel, became resident at the rectory. For the next two years, he served our parish with distinction by offering weekend liturgies, hearing confessions and helping out as needed. He acquired many friends by offering spiritual advice and warm friendship to all who came to him for help. Hearing a greater call to devote more time to serving God through hospital chaplaincy work, he moved to St. Jerome's Parish, in September of 1998, so he could be closer to Meridia Euclid Hospital.

To be continued..

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