Fr. Hollis

Fr. Mark Hollis sees his planned gift, which designates specific ministries of the Diocese, as an expression of gratitude for what the Church has done for him. “I am grateful for my Catholic education and my upbringing. Those are important to me,” says Fr. Hollis referring to his education at St. Philomena Elementary School, Cathedral Latin High School, and Borromeo Seminary College.

Fr. Hollis served as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina for 20 years and as the Spiritual Director at Saint Mary Seminary for 11 years before officially entering retirement on July 1. His new home is at St. Patrick Parish on Bridge Avenue in Cleveland, where he has been assisting the pastor, Fr. Michael Gurnick, with weekend Masses.

“As priests, we are called to love the people, and their love in return has been a real blessing,” says Fr. Hollis. “Having been a pastor and then to help men being formed as priests was a rich experience.”

Fr. Hollis has chosen four areas to support through a bequest: Priestly Formation, the Priest Retirement Fund, the Clergy Medical Health Fund, and Catholic Charities. He notes that the “fraternity of the priesthood is something very near and dear” to him. He also says that naming Catholic Charities in his will extends support to the wider Church – all of God’s people.

“It is a good thing to share the gifts that God has given you with the Church,” says Fr. Hollis. “If there are certain ministries that are important to an individual, they can make sure those are maintained and strengthened.”

“I am grateful to the Lord and the Church for 48 years of the priesthood so far. It has been a wonderful journey of faith,” Fr. Hollis reflects. “We are all fellow pilgrims on a journey to the Kingdom. Whatever we can do to build up the kingdom here spiritually and continue the services of the Church is a good and holy thing.”