Sister Beverly Anne LoGrasso
Written by Sister Beverly Anne LoGrasso
I began my teaching career at St. Ann School where the Class of 1970 taught me more than I taught them! I spent nine happy years at St. Ann's as teacher of grade 8 and then Fr. Kenny asked me to be DRE, Director of Religious Education. I reluctantly said "yes" as I did not want to leave teaching. Sr. Margaret Ann Kelley, daughter of the parish, was principal for most of my time at St. Ann's and she taught me everything I needed to know about teaching as a ministry to children and families.
I learned from the people at St. Ann's what it meant to be a community of believers who stuck together despite differences of race and class. I saw Vatican II in action at St. Ann's, as the educated, competent and "alive in faith" lay leaders demonstrated how to put faith in action in a wounded world. I saw leaders like Tom Reim and Sue Nigro address discrimination in housing in Cleveland Heights. I saw my own pupil, Ed Kelley and St. Ann parishioner Susanna Niermann, provide fair and quality leadership to the Cleveland Heights community, an award winning community where diversity is prized as an asset. I helped to plan the ecumenical Thanksgiving services which were rotated among churches in Cleveland Heights and created community among differing faith traditions. These are only a few examples of the quality of parishioner I encountered at St. Ann's. These parishioners and so many others are examples of the tradition Fr. Powers began when he demonstrated religious leadership to better the civic community.
Time after time, I attended wakes and funerals, at times of St. Ann students, where the faith of families was evident in the face of grief. In 1980, I moved up Fairmount Blvd. to Beaumont School. I was happy to see many "St. Ann-ers" among the students there! I was grateful to still be part of the Cleveland Heights/St. Ann community! I taught theology, became Assistant Principal when Sr. Margaret Ann was Principal and then became President. I learned about fund raising for an all girls' school; this is quite a challenge! While I was at Beaumont, Sr. Dorothy Kazel and the Churchwomen of El Salvador were killed. Learning about this murder expanded my vision as a United States citizen and made me keenly aware of my obligation to inform myself of what was happening in other countries in the name of the United States.
I left Beaumont in 1990 to become Social Justice Coordinator for the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland. During this time, Sr. Joanne Marie was killed on our property in Pepper Pike. The Ursuline Sisters asked that the death penalty not be applied in this case and we were successful. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about the legal system and the jail. As a result of this involvement, I was asked to volunteer, through the County Jail Catholic Chaplain's Office, with the women at the County Jail. Again, I learned more than I ever wanted to know. The women taught me to understand the Gospel in an entirely new way. Women's Re-Entry Network, sponsored by Lutheran Metro Ministry, offered me a position which would help the women find housing, a dire need. I accepted and was glad that I did as I experienced an ecumenical ministry with wonderful people.
I have tutored at Tri C, VA/SJ, and Urban Community School. In the Fall of 2015, I will be at Urban Community School, an Ursuline sponsored school, at West 51st and Lorain, as Resource Teacher for the Middle School and Reading Volunteer Coordinator.
God has led me down many and varied paths which have increased my understanding of the Gospel and broadened my view of the world.
The St. Ann's family has been loyal and loving to me all the way; I am very grateful and always will be. I count on this continual relationship!
I have lived at St. Ann convent, Beaumont convent, the Ursuline motherhouse, and will be living on the west side. I enjoy reading, walking, a good movie, the Stone Oven, meeting with friends, and my godchild!