CLEVELAND — The reopening of St. Casimir on Cleveland's east side was dubbed a 'miracle' in 2012 by those who attend mass regularly.
A miracle is an extraordinary or improbable event, but for those in St. Casimir's parish, it's a well known event that occurred with the church's reopening.
"People have come here and prayed for miracles and some claim they had many miracles," said Joseph Feckanin.
Those who attend church at St. Casimir reflected on 10 years since the church reopened following a sudden closure.
"I've seen a miracle," said parishioner John Niedzialek
In 2009, St. Casimir closed their doors due to a sweeping list of closures brought by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. The church had been open since 1918 and the parish had been around since 1891. The closure was a heavy blow for many in the community.
According to parishioners, following the closure of the church, a doctor who attended mass regularly had a dream that lead to their 'miracle.'
"In the dream she[blessed mother] said 'don't leave me,' and he took it as we can't give up," said Feckanin.
For 139 Sunday's, parishioners gathered outside St. Casimir's and held prayer vigils in hopes their prayers would be answered.
In 2012, their prayers were answered and St. Casimir's reopened.
"I saw the miracle occur 10 years ago when the church reopened," said Niedzialek.
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