A Life of Service

Councilman Michael Polensek presented Fr. Walsh with an official proclamation congratulating him on his Anniversary and thanking him for the many years of service to St. Jerome and Collinwood. 

Father Francis Walsh was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1957.  He served in a number of parishes, including St. Paul Shrine, St. William, Immaculate Conception, St. Charles, and St. John Bosco before coming to St. Jerome in 1976 as an administrator.  He became pastor that same year when Fr. Koehl died suddenly.  He served as pastor at St. Jerome for 16 years.  He then became pastor at St. Luke, which allowed him to be closer to his mother.  He retired in 2013. 

Never one to just sit around, he continues to help at St. Luke and especially here at St. Jerome.  He had not been retired long when Fr. Cassese’s health became critical.  Fr. Walsh really carried the people of St. Jerome through that very difficult time.  He still celebrates Mass here 4 days a week as well as helping out at our other Collinwood cluster parishes.  When he’s not busy with official business he likes to golf and is a life-long fan of Cleveland sports.  He is an avid reader and a fan of both the Cleveland Orchestra and more recently of the CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra.  We are so very grateful for his service, his friendship, and his spiritual guidance for the people of St. Jerome.  God bless you Father Walsh!

Adele Markert

Parish Secretary/business manager at St. Jerome Church

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Volume 9, Issue 7, Posted 11:04 AM, 07.07.2017