Annual convocation signals start of new academic year in diocese

Educators from across the Diocese of Cleveland gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Gates Mills for the annual Bishop’s Convocation on Aug. 14. For more than 40 years the event has brought educators and faith formation leaders together for prayer, formation and information.

Frank O’Linn, secretary of education and diocesan superintendent of schools, Greg Coogan, secretary for catechetical formation and parish life, and their staffs organized the program. This year’s host site is one of the diocesan pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, which marks the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.

Father Steve Flynn, St. Francis pastor, welcomed attendees and explained how they could obtain a Jubilee Year plenary indulgence.

Speakers for the day included Todd DeKatch, diocesan senior director of safety and investigations, and Father Mark Ott, pastor of Holy Martyrs Parish in Medina and an associate professor of sacred Scripture at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology.

DeKatch introduced diocesanwide initiatives to strengthen safety, security and threat management in parishes and schools. He reminded attendees that “Small changes can have a big impact. Something as simple as a locked door can save lives.” He also encouraged the educators and faith leaders to develop a meaningful relationship with students and others and to have partnerships with law enforcement,

Father Ott spoke on how sacred Scripture can inspire children and families to live as witnesses of Christ in their everyday lives. He discussed the meaning of reverence and how it applies to the Eucharist. He also invited attendees “to be a blank slate on which the Lord can write.”

There were breakout sessions for each cohort: elementary school leaders, high school leaders, Newman campus ministers, youth ministers/high school campus ministers, parish catechetical leaders and pastors/priests.

Highlight of the day was Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic.

“We entrust the Church – this young Church – to the Lord in a particular way,” the bishop said. “Ask him to give them the grace needed to guide them.”  He told the educators their job is to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples.

“We are here to make him known, loved and served and that’s where you come in,” the bishop said. At school Masses, he frequently tells students they are his younger brothers and sisters. “And I mean it,” he added. The bishop also reminded the group that “It’s not enough to know about Jesus. We need to know him.”

Noting it was the feast of St. Maximillian Kolbe, a priest imprisoned at Auschwitz during World War II who offered his life in exchange for the life of another prisoner, Bishop Malesic said the saint fulfilled the Gospel.

“I admire people who work for the Church. It’s not just a job, it’s a calling … Your greatest lesson plan is not found in a book, but in the way you live your life.”

After Mass the group enjoyed lunch and sang happy birthday to the bishop,