first and last

 My first and only blog post this year comes on the final day of the infamous 2020.

a cavalier spirit

#2 All In for the Cleveland-wide Celebration

Who believed that a Cleveland sports team could come back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the winningest team in NBA history as well as the defending champion, Golden State Warriors? I did. Who was downtown yesterday alongside 1.3 million other Clevelanders at the Championship parade and rally for the Cleveland Cavaliers? I was. Some people say that life is sometimes all about timing. I couldn't agree more.

the street that Bill built

#3  Church Ave

I don't know about you and your generation, but whenever I think about the late great, Mr. Fred Rogers, I am immediately reminded of the melodious tune "Who are the People in Your Neighborhood?" that aired on just about every television episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, which I watched during the late 80s and early 90s.

Mr. Rogers fan or not, if you have never walked or rode down Church Avenue in Cleveland's Ohio City, then you need to do so soon. William "Bill" Merriman and his beloved wife, Jean, are the "land-stewards" of a particularly-intimate row of houses that overlook Lake Erie. 

I first met Bill & Jean on one of my very first nights in Ohio City. I was floored by their hospitality, generosity and Mid-western charm. Over the course of the next twelve months, they became dear friends and parental figures in my life. To this day, I still enjoy paying a surprise visit to the Merriman household to "tease" Jean about her famous jambalaya gumbo or to listen to Bill tell of the incredible stories of his St. Pat parishioners.

My JVC roommates (Veronica, Allison & Brigid) and I fondly remiscience about how wonderfully-welcoming our Church Ave neighbors were to us (and continue to be), especially on those first few days of living in community.

I will leave you with a few of my favorite Church Avenue moments...

1. Watching from inside the warm comforts of our 3007 Church Avenue, as Bill plowed a clear path along the sidewalk and steps of us/our neighbors after the blizzard of '07. (or literally anytime that Bill responded to our household needs)

2. Playing catch with John Monahan et al. in the middle of Church Ave (unfortunately, i remember all to well the "blind" toss that John made, which left me with a blue, fat lip)

3. Each  every Harvest Moon festival (in case you don't know or have never attended this annual eclectic block party which usually takes place on the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox)

In Bill We Trust.

Go with God, God goes with You!

#4  Be Saint Martin

If you have not yet heard, a very special thing has been happening since 2003 on 6111 Lausche Avenue in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood on Cleveland's east side--namely the transformation of urban Cleveland, one student at a time. Saint Martin de Porres High School is a Cristo Rey school of about 500 students and upwards of 80 faculty/staff members. Recent graduates are attending--and many excelling at--local colleges/universities as well as a host of Jesuit institutions throughout the country. At the heart of their mission are the following words:

WORK. STUDY. SERVE. LEAD. PRAY

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples that "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." I like to think that sometimes we are most humbled when others tell it how it is versus our own interpretation. I have included two very unique videos, from young alumni as well as parents/corporate work study sponsors, both of which I believe capture what it is to be Saint Martin. I could list the names of the students, faculty and staff who have given countless hours to making Saint Martin de Porres High School the incredible academic and spiritual community that it is; however, I would like you to meet them and see for yourself. Feel free to watch these witnesses or perhaps visit us the next time you drive past E.55th & St. Clair. 

so when are you moving back to Cleveland?

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that question, since I departed from northeast Ohio in May 2011. While I would love to live more permanently in Cleveland someday, there are many factors that become involved in such a decision. Time, as always, will tell. I did, however, leave you with the promise that I would continue the FINAL FOUR moments of my Top 25 Cleveland countdown, so I would like to follow through on that guarantee. Please enjoy the last four in a seemingly 2-year series of posts that put the final squirts of Bertman's Ballpark Mustard bottle on the best four years of my life.

poor in the eyes of men & women, but rich in the eyes of God

#5 Labre


I am not sure that I can think of a more grace-filled and fulfilling manner in which to spend my Sunday evening, then participating in the St. Benedict Joseph Labre Project. Since 2003, students, parents, benefactors, community members and clergy associated with St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland) have gathered every week to share nourishment and clothing, but most importantly fellowship with those men, women and children living outdoors. By attempting to live the Gospel message of service to others, these volunteers seek and find the true face of Christ by being the most life-giving disciples imaginable. 


I was first introduced to Labre by my JVC roommate, Veronica, who volunteered in various capacities at the Arrupe Neighborhood Partnership. She would often return home late on Sunday evening with so much life, energy and countless stories of those whom she had met that I just had to take up her invitation to join her on a future Sunday. It took one van excursion along the Flatts route and I was hooked. 


It is very difficult for me to explain what actually happens on Labre, other than the necessary food preparation, van packing and send-off gathering in St. Mary's Chapel.  However, I will say this. Once you do Labre once, you will be ruined for life. 


I will leave you with the following words from Jim Skerl (theology teacher at Ignatius, co-founder of the Labre Ministry and one of Cleveland's beloved):


"After you touch the wounds of those in the city tonight, there's no looking back. Cleveland will never look the same again."

Ecuammokalamaica

#6 Immersions


During my time at John Carroll, I was blessed with not one, not two, but THREE unique opportunities to travel to and immerse myself with the people of Ecuador/Immokalee (FLA)/Jamaica. What I discovered amongst my physically impoverished, yet spiritually rich brothers and sisters was nearly indescribable. 

Never before had I been exposed to such material poverty. You cannot prepare yourself adequately for such experiences (and I am not even talking about the suffocating humidity). I undoubtedly grew in humility and gratitude those days and ever since. 

Never before have I drank so much (water), played so much futebol, and felt so welcome in a foreign land. On more than one occasion, I felt like the younger son who, in the biblical account of the Prodigal Son, is showered with love, mercy and a bountiful feast upon his return from squandering his father's inheritance. These people were real and they got it.

I will never forget Jon, the 7-year old boy from Duran, Ecuador whose love for his siblings and mother as well as his incredible skills in the game Memory were bewildering. While their names unfortunately escape me, I will always recall the fond times that I shared in the classroom and outdoors on the school grounds with the students of Pinecrest Elementary School in Immokalee, Florida. Then, of course, there is Paula. Living in an orphanage in Spanish Town, Jamaica, she was a character and a sweetheart all in one breath. It is my hope and prayer that these men, women and children of these communities will continue to realize how precious they are in the eyes and heart of God. They certainly have a special reservation in my own.