Richard Bergkessel

Crossing The Street Richard Bergkessel

Richard Bergkessel and his beloved wife, Charlotte (Char) began their adult lives following a calling to serve others through religious lives. Richard followed his passion for helping fellow Catholics gain a deeper sense of what it meant to be a Catholic through education and ministry. And Char, also an educator, taught children and as a young nun, served as a Catholic school principal. As two devoted, young religious people, Richard grew to learn that he had a definite ability to touch people's lives in a deep and valuable way, and assisted in leading retreats for sisters and laity in the Cleveland area. Char sought to deepen her faith by attending retreats for sisters. Neither expected to experience a movement in their hearts for one another. Soon their friendship grew to become a strong attraction to one another's personalities and values. Richard and Char would eventually leave their religious posts to marry, grow a family, and continue to minister to the Catholic community as lay people. Crossing the Street is a story of this couple's journey as deeply religious Catholic leaders, as a family, and as a married couple. Follow Richard's and Char's quest to serve and walk through the joys, hardships, tragedies, achievements, and difficulties. Over the years, Richard became an advocate for married priesthood. Having served as a priest for seven years before leaving religious life, he could not see that marriage would hinder a person serving a parish community. In 1975, Richard sought permission to serve the Roman Catholic Church again as a priest. His request was featured in the Cleveland newspaper "The Plain Dealer" in a September 1975 article. His request was denied.