Diocesan Memorandum

April, 2020 | Vol. 54, no. 4 | Prot. No. C-14/2020

The Diocesan Memorandum (formerly the Clergy Memorandum) is a service of the Office of the Chancellor for clergy and lay leadership of the Diocese of Cleveland, providing a summary of relevant and timely information from the Office of the Bishop and other diocesan offices.

OFFICE OF THE DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR

The following information regarding the diocesan response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is believed to be correct as of March 30, 2020. However, the situation continues to change rapidly and clergy and the lay faithful should consult the diocesan website at https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/covid19 for the latest information.

Keeping Churches Open for Personal Devotion
Our churches may remain open only if the parish has taken necessary precautions to perform routine maintenance and have the necessary staff to sanitize all hard surfaces and hymnals in the church, the vestibules, doorknobs, and bathrooms at the end of each day that the church is open. (this applies to Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapels as well).  The following are some additional suggestions to keep your church a safe place during this health crisis:

• Parishioners should make every effort to observe the highest standards of hygiene.  That means not touching your face, wiping your nose or cough while in church. 
• Remove items that are in common areas and are regularly touched.
• Remove music books from the pews. 
• Remove paper from the pews (comment cards, registration cards).

Spiritual Communion and Televised Masses
Livestreaming of Masses may not involve more than four people in the worship space, for example, a celebrant, deacon, cameraperson, and a minister. All present must maintain a minimum distance of six feet from one another at all times.

• All individuals present in the worship space should have taken their temperatures at home before arriving. Anyone with a temperature of over 100.4° must remain at home and sell-quarantine for 14 days.
• Any minister who accompanies the celebrant may serve as cameraperson, instrumentalist, psalmist/ cantor, or all three roles. An altar server is not to be used.
• The priest should serve as lector. If the deacon will be preaching, then the deacon should serve as lector instead of the priest.
• Those present should make the people’s responses clearly and audibly.
• The minister/psalmist/cantor present may sing the responsorial psalm response, with the priest reading or chanting the verses, or may chant the entire psalm, with the priest making the response, not from the ambo but from another location, preferably off-camera.
• Music familiar to the parish community is recommended.
• In consideration of the pastoral good of the faithful, only the priest may receive Holy Communion during the livestream broadcast. Any ministers present may receive Holy Communion under the form of bread alone following the end of the livestream broadcast.

Regarding the recording, broadcasting or streaming of the Sacred Triduum in particular:

• Triduum liturgies whether livestreamed, pre-recorded, or private should be celebrated in a sacred space.
• Triduum liturgies should preferably be streamed live, not pre-recorded. If streamed live, they should be celebrated at or near the times these liturgies are usually celebrated in the parish.
• If Triduum liturgies need to be recorded in advance of posting them online in order that a good quality video may be properly prepared, permission is given for the Triduum Masses to be celebrated earlier in the day on the same day they are properly celebrated. Pre-recorded videos of the Triduum are not to be posted online until the usual times those liturgies would be celebrated in the parish.
• Private Triduum liturgies which are neither livestreamed nor pre-recorded for later posting online should be celebrated at or near the times these liturgies are usually celebrated in the parish.

Holy Week
On Thursday, March 19, 2020, the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments issued a Decree (Prot. N. 135/20) “In time of COVID-19”, and an update of March 25, regarding the celebration of the Paschal Triduum during the coronavirus pandemic.

If at at all possible, singing should not be absent at Triduum liturgies which are livestreamed. Melodies familiar to the people are recommended.

Priests may concelebrate Holy Week Masses where multiple priests live together in the rectory making certain that social distancing is maintained at all times.

Palm Sunday
The Solemn Entrance should not be done. Rather, follow the directives in no. 17, paragraph two, Third Form: The Simple Entrance for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion in the Roman Missal, third edition (pg. 283): “The Priest, as soon as he has arrived at the altar and venerated it, greets the [minister], reads [or sings] the Entrance Antiphon, and continues the Mass in the usual way.”

The Palm Sunday Passion of the Lord may be read chorally, with the priest at the chair or the altar and the minister elsewhere. Palms may be blessed either before or after the Mass. The blessed Palms may be made available to the faithful following the liturgy and over the next few days with the following guidelines:

• A time-span for the distribution of blessed palms should be announced in advance.
• If at all possible, the distribution of blessed palms should be done outside.
• Social distancing must be maintained in the distribution of blessed palms.
• Distribution should not be hand-to-hand, but rather the blessed palms should be spread out on a table with some distance between palms possible. Multiple distribution points is ideal.

Holy Thursday
The Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments has extended to all priests the exceptional faculty to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper without the people.

• The rite of the reception of the Holy Oils should be omitted.
• The washing of feet is to be omitted.
• The procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose is to be omitted, and the Blessed Sacrament is to be kept in the tabernacle.
• Priests who are unable to celebrate Mass should instead pray Vespers of the day.

Good Friday
The Good Friday Passion of the Lord may be read chorally, with the priest at the chair or the altar and the minister elsewhere.

The Solemn Intercessions should be done by the celebrant and minister in alteration, with the addition an eleventh intercession approved by the diocesan administrator for the sick, dead, and those who feel lost or dismayed.

The Adoration of the Holy Cross should be done according to the First Form, no. 15, pg. 329.

Holy Communion is to be taken from the tabernacle and returned to the tabernacle.

Holy Saturday
In parishes which have followed the custom, the blessing of Easter food on Holy Saturday is canceled.

Preparation Rites for adults approaching Christian Initiation are to be postponed. Instructions will be forthcoming regarding rescheduling Christian Initiation in the local parish.

Easter Vigil
The preparation and lighting of the fire is to be omitted. The Paschal candle is lit, the procession is omitted, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) follows. While normally sung at the ambo, the Exsultet may be sung by the deacon from his chair (distanced from the priest’s chair) or by a cantor in another location. The Liturgy of the Word then takes place.

Christian Initiation is omitted. The Renewal of Baptismal Promises alone is necessary. The Liturgy of the Eucharist then follows.

Those who have no possibility of uniting themselves to the Paschal Vigil celebrated in a church should pray the Office for Readings for Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday
The Renewal of Baptismal Promises should be omitted.

Plenary Indulgences
The Apostolic Penitentiary has issued a decree granting plenary indulgences to “the faithful suffering from the Covid-19 virus, commonly known as coronavirus, as well as to healthcare workers, family members and all those who in any capacity, including through prayer, care for them.”

Baptism
All parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland are asked to observe some temporary practical norms concerning the Sacrament of Baptism.  At this time, baptisms are still possible based on pastoral urgency.  However, in order to limit the potential spread of the virus to a vulnerable population, you may only celebrate small, private family baptisms.  There are to be no “immersion” baptisms.  Use fresh water that has been blessed for the Baptism and immediately drain the water afterwards.  Family members who are especially vulnerable are requested to stay home.

Confession
During Lent, the people of God seek the Lord’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Every consideration should be given to offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation to individuals who request it.  To help minimize the risk of exposure, we ask for the following considerations to be utilized:

• Move out of the confessional into the body of the church in order to provide a safer space between you and the penitent. 
• If possible, utilize a screen to block the air flow between the priest and the penitent.  The penitent should always have the option to celebrate the Sacrament anonymously.
• Ensure at least 6 feet of space between the presider and the penitent.
• It is preferable to utilize a chair without armrests and the use of a sanitizer between each person.  You may also consider celebrating the Sacrament standing so that a proper distance is kept and no surfaces are touched.
• If you hear confessions from multiple penitents back-to-back please ensure disinfecting wipes are available and used between each person’s confession.

Confirmations
All confirmation dates scheduled before Easter Sunday are postponed indefinitely and will be re-scheduled once clearance is given.  If the confirmation was to be presided at by the pastor, it can be re-scheduled at the parish.  If it was to be celebrated by one of the bishops or by Abbott Hoover, you will need to reschedule it with Ann Marie Perkins in the Diocesan Offices.

Weddings
Every effort should be made to reschedule weddings during this crisis if possible. If a civil license is available, a wedding can be celebrated with immediate family members only, keeping in mind the maximum number persons in attendance according to government directives.  

Funerals
If at all possible we recommended that you schedule a memorial Mass at a time when the current restrictions are lifted. The Rite of Committal may be celebrated at the cemetery with immediate family members only, keeping in mind the call for social distancing. If a funeral Mass is celebrated, the attendees are limited to immediate family members only. We encourage you to have the family make note in the published obituary that the funeral Mass and burial are private family only events.  Please keep in mind the maximum number of persons in attendance according to government directives.

Ministering the Sacraments to a non-coronavirus patient:

Holy Communion to the Sick and Homebound
We urge you to use extreme caution, and only to do so when absolutely necessary (or based on pastoral urgency).    If you are a high-risk priest or deacon, you are instructed to refrain from taking communion to the sick. All other clergy should use extreme caution to protect themselves from the contagion. Eucharistic Ministers are not permitted to take Holy Communion to the sick during this health crisis for their good and the good of their families.

• If the visit is in a hospital environment, follow the hospital directives regarding personal care (washing hands, etc.).
• Most nursing facilities are under quarantine.  Please contact the nursing home staff for directives of attending to the sick and dying.  If the communion is in a nursing facility, avoid visiting to limit potential hazards to the most vulnerable population.

If the visit is to someone’s home:

• Wash hands or use a hand sanitizer once you enter the home
• Avoid any physical contact with the person or family during the visit
• Use a hand sanitizer again before distributing Communion
• If the communicant usually receives Communion on the tongue, strongly encourage him or her, for your safety as well as theirs, to receive Communion in the hand
• Wash or sanitize your hands after the visit

• Maintain social distance (six feet) from everyone in the room, except the patient
• Do not offer comfort with any physical contact

Anointing of the Sick
If the sacrament is celebrated in a health care facility, follow the protocols and protective guidelines of the facility

• Maintain social distance with everyone in the room so as to offer comfort without making physical contact.
• Wash or sanitize your hands once you enter the room.
• The anointing may be done with a cotton-tipped swab or a cotton ball which should be burned or buried after use.
• If Holy Communion is given, it is to be distributed in the hand.
• Sanitize your hands after the visit.

Ministering the Sacraments to a confirmed COVID-19 patient

Restrictions for who can fulfill this ministry:

• No priest in the high risk group or those over 60 years old
• No priest with chronic illnesses, e.g. heart issues, diabetes, Crohn’s, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, COPD.
• These restrictions are in place following the healthcare guidance that indicate younger, healthier individuals are at a much diminished risk of contracting a serious case of coronavirus.

Anointing of the Sick

• If this is performed in a hospital or healthcare facility, the guidelines for protective measures, including garments, prevail.
• If this is not in a hospital or healthcare facility: if available, latex gloves should be worn unless the patient or priest/deacon has an allergic sensitivity to latex.  Additionally, if available, protective eye wear should be worn.
• The anointing may be done with a cotton-tipped swab or a cotton ball which is to be burned or buried after use.
• If the priest uses his gloved hand, the glove is to be burned or buried after the visit.
• If Holy Communion is given, it is to be distributed in the hand
• Maintain social distance (six feet) from everyone in the room, except the patient.
• Do not offer comfort with any physical contact.

Holy Communion to the Sick and Homebound – non-infected person:

• During this health crisis, Eucharistic Ministers are not permitted to take communion to the sick for their good and the good of the infirmed.
• If this is performed in a hospital or healthcare facility, the guidelines for protective measures, including garments, prevail.
• If this is not in a hospital or healthcare facility: if available, latex gloves should be worn unless the patient or priest/deacon has an allergic sensitivity to latex.  Additionally, if available, protective eye wear should be worn.

If the visit is to someone’s home:

• Wash hands or use a hand sanitizer once you enter the home
• Avoid any physical contact with the person or family during the visit
• Use a hand sanitizer again before distributing Communion
• If the communicant usually receives Communion on the tongue, strongly encourage him or her, for your safety as well as theirs, to receive Communion in the hand
• Wash or sanitize your hands after the visit

• Maintain social distance (six feet) from everyone in the room, except the patient
• Do not offer comfort with any physical contact 

Regarding Religious Education, RCIA, and All Other Ministry Groups
Regarding Religious Education, RCIA, and All Other Ministry Groups and Parish Organizations.  All classes, sessions and meetings are to be cancelled regardless of the number of attendees/participants. 

Remember to Pray
Catholics have always joined together in prayer during times of crisis throughout the ages.  We have ministered to the sick, attended to the dying and buried the dead.  May this unprecedented time in our history be a time we remember who we are and whose we are. May we continue to love God and our neighbor. In addition, may we remember to pray for everyone involved as we weather the storm.

As Pope Francis reminds us, we should be reaching out to our communities and praying in solidarity with the Church around the world.  He offered this prayer to Mary, mother of Jesus:  O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and hope.  We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.  You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.  Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father, and to do as we are told by Jesus, who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection.  Amen.

Office for Worship

May 2020 Liturgical Calendar:
The May liturgical calendar is subject to change due to the coronavirus outbreak.  Please realize the dates below may change, or the liturgies scheduled may be private, rather than public, celebrations.  If you are unable to attend in person, please join us in prayer at those times.

Candidates for ordination to the permanent diaconate, transitional diaconate and priesthood have all been called to orders. The actual date of the ordinations are on hold due to the current health crisis. 

In pastoral consideration of the needs of the faithful, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated in the Diocese of Cleveland on Sunday, May 24, 2020, not as a holyday of obligation on “Ascension Thursday.”  Scriptures and Orations for all Vigil and Sunday Masses should celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, not the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

Confirmation is scheduled to be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.  Please contact the Cathedral Rectory Office for registration information.

The Solemnity of Pentecost is celebrated on Sunday, May 31, 2020.  Masses after 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30th, celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost, either extended form or simple form.  The extended form of the Pentecost Vigil resembles the Easter Vigil, in that four Scripture readings, psalms, and corresponding prayers are proclaimed prior to the singing of the Gloria. The Collect follows the Gloria, and the Epistle reading follows the Collect.  After this, the extended Vigil Mass proceeds as the simple Pentecost Vigil.  Masses on May 31st should celebrate the Pentecost Mass during the Day.

Christian initiations of adults which were postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak might be celebrated in the context of the Extended Pentecost Vigil.  In that case, following the Pentecost Vigil homily, the ritual would proceed according to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults nos. 218-243. The Liturgy of the Eucharist would follow the sacraments of initiation as usual.

October 2020 Liturgical Calendar
The diocesan 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 10th at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral.  Pre-registration through the Marriage and Family Ministry Department of the Parish Life Secretariat is required.

Mass celebrating the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral.  All are welcome.

The diocesan Silent Sorrow Mass for those suffering from Miscarriage and Neo-Natal Death will be celebrated Sunday, October 25th at 5:30 p.m. in the Cathedral. All are welcome.

Liturgy Notes:
The major phone and internet providers are all upgrading to 5G technology.  While their negotiations with the FCC may have a great benefit for cell phone users, this technology will negatively impact frequencies which are used in many wireless microphones in churches, schools, and theatres. All this will become effective July 13, 2020.   The FCC notes that this will especially impact those systems which operate on frequencies 617-652 and 663-698 (churches) and frequencies 617, 653-698 (schools).  If you have questions on how to address this, please contact your local microphone technician.  Click here for more information.

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist 

Helen D. Schubert Concerts Spring 2020 - All concert events are cancelled.

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

2020 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal
As we all confront the changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your families. Please know that Catholic Charities is on the frontline continuing to deliver services to those most in need and those needs are growing every day. Donations and pledge payments can be made online. Thank you for your support and with God we will endure this crisis. Contact Karen Joyce, 216-696-6525 x1910 or Sarah Yantek at x1049, with questions or for additional information.

College Scholarships Available
Applications for the Andrew Gregory Rodgers and Pauline Rodgers College Scholarship Fund for students of Sacred Heart Chapel in Lorain are due 15 April. Applications for the Demkee Family Scholarship for students in Wayne and Summit County will be due 1 May. Applications and more information can be found here.

FINANCE OFFICE

Employee Benefits

HEALTH CARE OPEN ENROLLMENT
All participating entities should have received a memo dated February 21 with the rate chart for the 2020/2021 plan year.  Note that there are only changes to the PPO plan.  If you wish to make any changes to your coverage, Health Care Plans - Enrollment/Change forms must be sent to the Health Benefits Office no later than May 15.  Any changes will be effective July 1.  Forms and information can be found here.

Contact the Employee Benefits Office, at (216) 696-6525, ext. 5040 or email with any questions. 

CATHOLIC CHARITIES 

Diocesan Social Action Office

Catholic Commission of Lake and Geauga 30th Annual Peace and Justice Dinner rescheduled

The Annual Peace and Justice Awards Dinner and Silent Auction has been rescheduled for September 18, 2020. If you would like more information, contact Kelly Ann Davis, 440-943-7612.

33rd Annual Pope St. John Paul II Proclaimer of Justice Gala Dinner & Awards
The annual Justice Gala Dinner and Awards for the Catholic Commission of Wayne, Ashland, & Medina is being rescheduled on a date to be announced.  For more information, contact Dc. Paul Kipfstuhl, 330-703-7979

Catholic Charities of Summit County
Catholic Charities of Summit County’s 5th annual Derby for Dollars has been rescheduled to Friday, October 9. Father Leo Patalinghug and Catholic Charities’ Angelique Oatman will cook live on stage. Cleveland radio and TV icon Robin Swoboda is scheduled to be there as well. For more details and to purchase tickets, go to www.ccdocle.org/derby4dollars or call 440-843-5562.

Office for Human Life

Walking with Moms in Need
Join a nationwide effort from March 25, 2020 to March 25, 2021 entitled “Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service.” There is a small diocesan committee beginning to work on this initiative.  The USCCB has a webpage as well as a parish guide to assist you as you make plans in your parish. Please contact Peggy Gerovac, 216-334-2965 if you need any assistance.  Please feel free to use logos and other graphics as you choose. This could be an opportunity for parishioners not already involved with Respect Life. 

Resources for Divine Mercy Sunday (April 19)
Use this action guide to share Christ’s message of mercy and healing with those who have participated in abortion. Here are some homily considerations for priests and deacons. Remember our Diocesan Post Abortion Program is Project Rachel at 216-334-2966 or Peggy Gerovac.

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES ASSOCIATION

Digital Grief Support  
The Catholic Cemeteries Association has decided to cancel the April 19th, Sunday Grief Support meetings at all locations.  We are still available for families in need and will continue our efforts to serve families before, during, and after the death of a loved one. We understand that as a grieving person, having a sound support network is critical to your health and well-being.  We are currently working to provide grief support resources on our website and social media.  Digital bereavement resources, which include our blog and podcasts, can be found by visiting the “Media” tab on our website.  If you would like to request additional materials please email us or contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866. 

MISCELLANEOUS

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Due to the current COVID 19 health crisis, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul May 2nd Kentucky Derby Party fundraiser has been postponed until further notice. Wishing you and your loved ones continued health during this challenging time.

First Friday Club of Cleveland.
The First Friday Club of Cleveland has cancelled the April 2 luncheon with the Very Reverend James Conroy, S.J.. The registration link for the April 2 event has been removed from the FFCC website. Payments for guests who have already registered have not been processed and will not be processed. FFCC will do their best to reschedule Reverend Conroy, S.J. for a later date. FFCC will continue to monitor the situation and will make decisions about subsequent luncheons when appropriate. In the meantime, FFCC welcomes your questions and encourage you to reach out to our administrator, Mary Sawyer, by phone-216-589-9852 or by email. 

First Friday Club of Akron. The April 3, 2020 First Friday Club of Greater Akron has been canceled. We will try to see if we can reschedule Bob DiBiasio to speak during our 2021 season. If you have purchased tickets to this event you have three options: 1) Credit it for another luncheon; 2) A refund; or 3) Donate it to the First Friday Club.

For additional information, call 330-535-7668 or click here.

Workshops/Retreats

Jesuit Retreat Center Programs, 5629 State Road, Parma, Ohio 44134
Please click here  for the latest news & updates on postponed or canceled events.

There are no flyers or Family Perspectives with the April 2020 Diocesan Memorandum.

Submissions for the next Memorandum should be made to Ann Marie Perkins by the 15th of the preceding month. Guidelines for submissions are available here.