Saint Malachi Parish to Bless New Homeless Jesus Sculpture

The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, will preside at a special 10:00 am Mass on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Saint Malachi Catholic Church, 2459 Washington Street, Cleveland, beginning with a blessing of the Homeless Jesus statue which was donated by the Community West Foundation. This particular statue is one of six sculptures by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz based upon the Gospel of Matthew 25. The entire collection has been installed in Cleveland and is only the second city in the world to have them all together (the other full set may be found in Rome, Italy).

All are welcome to for this special celebration as the statue is blessed and all are reminded of the ongoing need to serve all those who go without food, water, clothing, shelter, and other essentials needed to ensure the dignity of the human person.

A social will follow in the Parish Hall immediately after the Mass. All are welcome to join the parish for this special occasion.

Matthew 25 Collection Background & Context:

In 2017, Community West Foundation purchased a replica of the Homeless Jesus sculpture by Canadian artist, Timothy Schmalz. This single artwork has since traveled to dozens of churches and partner organizations as a powerful public reminder of the importance of caring for those in need. In October of 2020, Homeless Jesus was situated on the grounds of Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Bay Village in a location facing Bradley Road Park. Shortly after its arrival, local police were notified of a homeless person laying on a park bench. The call was picked-up by local news outlets, sparking significant public dialogue, along with a flurry of local and national media attention. Issues of social justice, privilege, compassion, and empathy, among others, were brought to light.

The artwork had accomplished what great public art should: create dialogue and cause people to see familiar spaces and places in a new light.

With this in mind, Community West Foundation is expanding this important conversation and dialogue with the acquisition of five of the six permanent artworks in this series created by Schmalz. The sixth artwork, When I Was Hungry and Thirsty, was acquired several years ago by Old Stone Church and is installed in front of the church on Public Square, in downtown Cleveland.

The mission of Community West Foundation is to advance the health and well-being of our community. As a funder, they provide grants to non-profit organizations that offer basic needs programs and services to those in need in Cleveland, Western Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties. The staff and Board of Directors take guidance from the Gospel of Matthew to direct their grantmaking and view this artwork as a visual representation of their purpose.

Each artwork is thematically connected to the mission of one of Community West Foundation’s grantees and community partners. The Foundation enlisted the help of LAND Studio to develop a master plan for installation. The sculptures will be located at sites in and around the near west side of Cleveland and its surrounding neighborhoods. The five artworks and their partner organizations are:

• Homeless Jesus at Saint Malachi Parish, 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
• When I Was Sick at Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital, 1730 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
• When I Was in Prison at Bridge CLE (formerly known as Family Ministry Center), 3389 Fulton Road, Cleveland, OH 44109
• When I Was a Stranger at Refugee Response on the Urban Community School campus, 4909 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44109
• When I Was Naked at Malachi House, 2810 Clinton Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113

Cleveland will be only the second city in the world, following Rome, Italy, to have the full collection of all six bronze figures in the Matthew 25 Collection. The City of Cleveland Planning Commission, Ohio City Planning Commission and Cleveland Landmarks Commission all unanimously approved the artwork installations.