“I am grateful for the work you do,” Bishop Edward Malesic told pastors and principals of elementary schools throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland.
St. Mel Parish in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood hosted the group on Nov. 4 as they gathered to discuss issues of importance to the schools. Father Adam Zajac, St. Mel pastor, welcomed the pastors and principals and offered opening prayer.
“Our diocesan schools are our largest youth ministry,” the bishop said. “We provide good citizens for companies, which is why many of them support our schools. But we also must form souls.”
The bishop talked about his recent visit to Sacred Heart School in Wadsworth where he heard one student’s conversion story. The boy talked about how “Jesus spoke to his heart,” he said.
“I feel safe in our schools. We provide a Christian Catholic environment where we love each other,” the bishop said.
He also shared the good news that enrollment in diocesan schools increased again for the fourth consecutive year. A benefit of higher enrollment is increased diversity, both racial and faith based. The diocesan schools mirror the diversity in society, the bishop said. The schools know their mission, but he cautioned that it’s important to be transparent.
Bishop Malesic praised the creative models that are developing across the diocese, including the new Catholic classical education program at St. Brendan School in North Olmsted. He also noted the pastor/school advisory board, a group of committed clergy that will meet regularly to lead and serve, was reestablished.
“I’m not a savior of the schools,” the bishop said. “We need to use our skills and background to explain to parents why they should choose a Catholic school for their children.”
Frank O’Linn, superintendent of Catholic schools, told the group that “Excellence happens on purpose. And collaboration is a force multiplier.”
The Office of Catholic Education will focus on three key areas this school year: educational compensation packages, school choice advocacy and innovation.
He said this is a time of rapid change for schools in the diocese and beyond. EdChoice, which allows state support to follow students to whichever school their parents choose for them, has been in place for two decades and is beneficial to families who want a choice about where to educate their children.
However, O’Linn said there is confusion about how the program works. He said it’s important to advocate so the public understands how schools are funded.
He listed some of the collaborations and innovations in diocesan schools, including the classical Catholic education model referenced by the bishop, the newly announced Lake County Catholic School Network, the partnership between St. Albert the Great School in North Royalton and Assumption Academy in Broadview Heights, Partnership Schools, the ACE (Alliance for Catholic Education) program, and the strong relationship between the diocese and Julie Billiart Schools.
After a lunch break, attendees spent time in table discussions and sharing information.
O’Linn said an education summit is planned for March 27, 2025 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership. The summit will include a nationally known keynote speaker and local presenters.
Learn more about Catholic schools in the diocese here.