St. Casimir Parish in Cleveland celebrates 13th Christmas Eve Mass since remarkable rebirth

Описание: Christians around the world celebrated the eve of Jesus Christ's birth on Dec. 24, but for the congregation of St. Casimir Parish in Cleveland, the occasion held an even deeper meaning.

This year marked the 13th Christmas Eve Mass since the church reopened in 2012, after initially being closed by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland in 2009. The church, with its century-old legacy, was among 50 set to be shuttered after the diocese cited change in demographics, a shortage of priests, and financial constraints.

Parishioners were devastated, but a determined group of faithful members refused to let the closure be the church's final chapter.

"They started praying," parishioner John Niedzialek remembered. "Each and every Sunday for 2 1/2 years — rain, snow, heat — the people prayed."

In March 2012, the Vatican announced the reopening of 13 parishes, including St. Casimir. Niedzialek, deeply connected to his Polish heritage and faith, reflected on the church's remarkable journey.

"I remember it was a warm March night, on a Thursday, and people heard the news," he remembered of learning that the church would be getting a second act. "People came down, and they hugged each other, they cried, and they gave thanks, and they prayed some more for the miracle that occurred."

Bryant McCray reports.