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Why Catholic? Meet Bishop Edward C. Malesic
Offices Chancellor Diocesan Memorandum April 2021

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Diocesan Memorandum

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 BISHOP

Collections

Home Mission Collection
The Catholic Home Mission Appeal Collection will be taken up the weekend of April 24-25, 2021, to assist struggling dioceses in the United States. Bulletin inserts and announcements can be found here.

Office for Worship

Webinar: Saint Joseph in the Liturgy
The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) will be hosting a special webinar on the many ways the Church honors Saint Joseph in the Liturgy.    Msgr. Joseph DeGrocco will lead us on Tuesday, April 27, at 1:00 PM (Eastern).  He will address the solemnity and memorial of Saint Joseph as well as other related liturgical texts, examining each day’s history, theology, readings, and its rich prayer texts. Please register for this free webinar at https://www.fdlc.org/formation

FDLC Webinar Series: The Liturgical Year
You are invited to join us for the next FDLC webinar series, April 21 to June 23 (Wednesdays at 1:00 PM, Eastern).  All registered participants will receive a link to the archived version so that you might watch it at a more convenient time.  Please register for this FREE webinar series at https://www.fdlc.org/formation 

New Optional Memorials
In two decrees issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments [CDWDS] and made public on February 2, 2021, Pope Francis has ordered the inscription of three new Optional Memorials in the General Roman Calendar for the latest Doctors of the Church – Saints John of Avila, Hildegard of Bingen, and Gregory of Narek – and the addition of Saints Mary and Lazarus to the existing Memorial of Saint Martha on July 29. Information on all the new celebrations is available at https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year .

May 2021 Liturgical Calendar

Blessing of Mothers on Mother’s Day, May 9, 2021
“When [Mother’s Day] occurs during the Easter season, the Mass of the Sunday is always celebrated. However, …intercessions and a prayer over the people are provided [in the Book of Blessings]. The prayer over the people may replace the solemn blessing of the Easter season.” (BB 1724-1726)

Celebrating the Newest Doctors of the Church
The decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, dated January 25, 2021 (Prot. n. 40/21), inscribes the celebrations of St. Gregory of Narek on February 27, St. John of Avila on May 10, and St. Hildegard of Bingen on September 17. All three will be Optional Memorials. Saints John and Hildegard were proclaimed Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, while Pope Francis proclaimed Saint Gregory as a Doctor in 2015. English translations of each saint’s proper liturgical text must be undertaken by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy, then approved by the USCCB and confirmed by the Holy See. Until that process is complete, each celebration may use texts from a suitable Common in the Roman Missal and Liturgy of the Hours. Information on all the new celebrations is available at https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year.

In the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is not celebrated on Thursday, May 13, but is transferred to the following Sunday, May 16, 2021.  Scriptures and Orations for all Vigil and Sunday Masses should celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord, not the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

The Solemnity of Pentecost is celebrated on Sunday, May 23, 2021.  Masses after 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, 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 23 should celebrate the Pentecost Mass during the Day.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is celebrated on Sunday, May 30, 2021. Masses after 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, celebrate the Vigil of the Most Holy Trinity.

The Order for Visiting a Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021: “This order is a solemn commemoration…[and]…may be used on All Souls Day, Memorial Day, or on the anniversary of the death or burial.” It may also be adapted by individuals visiting a grave. (BB 1734-1735)

Weddings Within the Mass of the Day may be celebrated on Solemnities.  Please reference this chart for more information.

October 2021 Liturgical Calendar

October is Respect Life Month.  Below are five simple steps for celebrating Respect Life Month, either the weekend of Respect Life Sunday or throughout the month.

1. Display the Respect Life poster where people will be most likely to see it.

2. Use the bulletin announcement and bulletin cover or wrapper, and insert the reflection flyer into the bulletin.

3. Preach on the Respect Life theme. Consider using the reflection flyer and sample homily helps as inspiration.

4. Pray for the protection of human life during the Prayer of the Faithful. Sample intercessions are provided on the USCCB website.

5. Invite parishioners to reflect the rest of the week on the theme and what it means to them personally. (USCCB)

The diocesan 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass is scheduled for Saturday, October 9, at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral.  Check the Marriage and Family Life Office in the months before the liturgy for registration information.

Mass celebrating the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers is scheduled for Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral. 

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

2021 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal – Love your Neighbor
On or near 7 April, look for the monthly email to pastors, staff and volunteers with appeal updates and see how well your parish is doing meeting its parish goal.

More than 45,000 households will receive a letter either from their pastor or Bishop Malesic the week of 26 April inviting them to support this year’s appeal. Parishes can click here for updated parish stats and bulletin announcements. Visit www.CatholicCommunity.org/2021Appeal to view the videos or read the stories of those impacted by your gifts. To donate online click here. Contact Karen Joyce, 216-696-6525 x1910 or Sarah Yantek at x1049, with questions or for additional information.

College Scholarship Available
Applications for the Demkee Family Scholarship for students from Wayne and Summit County attending The University of Akron are due 1 May. Applications and more information can be found here.

FINANCE OFFICE

Fraudulent Unemployment Claims
If you receive a request from ACR or ODJFS to provide personal information for a current employee that did not file for Unemployment, please respond, Claimant has not applied for any unemployment benefits, FRAUD, and forward immediately to Cathy Slezak at ACR, or call 216-731-8215.

Health Care Open Enrollment
All participating entities should have received a memo dated January 26 with the rate chart for the 2021/2022 plan year.  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 14.  Any changes will be effective July 1.  Forms and information can be found online .

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

CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS

Vocation Office

World Day of Prayer for Vocations
The 58th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Good Shepherd Sunday, will be celebrated on April 25, 2021.  This is a yearly moment when we universally petition that our young may come to a clarity and confidence as to how the Lord calls them to commit their lives through a Christian vocation.  The Vocation Office has available resources to help our youth and young adults discern their vocation and, Fr. Michael McCandless is available for in-person presentations and visitations to parishes and to meet individually with those inquiring about priesthood and consecrated life.  For further information contact the Diocesan Vocation Office by email or call 440-943-7630.

SAVE THE DATE!  June 14, 2021 | Borromeo Seminary “Challenge Scholarship” Golf Outing
New Location! – Silver Lake Country Club (Located off Route 8 near Stow) | Noon - Shotgun Start | 5:30pm – Dinner, Prizes, Raffle (Including a Lake Erie boat charter and a smoker/grill combo.) | Registration and raffle sales open on CLEpriesthood.org in April.  | *COVID protocols will be followed.

SECRETARIAT FOR PARISH LIFE AND DEVELOPMENT

Year of the Family Website
New this month, an entire section of our website is dedicated to the Year of the Family. We are offering resources and events for ministry leaders, parishes, and households, in an effort to celebrate the family with Pope Francis and the Universal Church. Please visit our Year of the Family webpage and share the link with your parish community.

Office of Missionary Discipleship

Moments of Joy
During the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways, but as Disciples of Christ, we persevere in our joy as a people of faith. This Easter season we invite you to share YOUR Moments of Joy with us across social media! Post your photos and videos with the hashtag #MomentsOfJoyCLE.

FORMED Webinar
The Augustine Institute will host a webinar for all of our parishes on March 25, 2021 at 1:00p.m. In addition to lots of great information about the new content and parish helps available on FORMED, you can learn how you can take advantage of this service.  Register HERE.

Office for the Protection of Children

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. While we highlight this month every year, it is especially important this year to do everything we can to keep our kids safe amid the stresses and pressures of the ongoing pandemic. Global trauma triggers a lot of destructive behaviors. We can be part of the solution to protect our children! The USCCB’s Child Abuse Prevention Month Resource Booklet is available here. This comprehensive resource includes suggested virtual activities, homily helps, sample social media posts, and other good ideas for raising awareness about child abuse prevention. Thank you! 

Email or call Sharon Minson, 216-696-6525 ext. 1157, for more information.

Marriage and Family Ministry Office

Click here for Family Perspectives

Patris Corde, With a Father’s Heart
Pope Francis released Patris Corde, With a Father’s Heart, in commemoration of the 150thanniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as patron of the universal church, and in conjunction with the Year of St. Joseph and the Year of the Family. A free digital copy is available here. The letter is divided into seven focus areas that can be developed into discussion headers for men’s fellowship groups or book study groups (in-person or virtually). If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Terri Yohman.

Lay Ecclesial Ministry Office

Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Sessions for 2021/2022 begin in September
Now is the time to inquire about or apply to enter the lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Process for Diocesan Certification. Formation and education nurtures spiritual growth centered on Jesus Christ and serves to enhance pastoral and ministerial skills needed for ministry today. For new candidates, orientation sessions are held in August. Formation Sessions for 2021/2022 begin in September.  If you, or someone you know, would benefit and you would like more information, email Pattie Batchman or call 440-943-7669.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

The 5thannual Derby for Dollars and silent auction benefitting Catholic Charities Summit County is going virtual Friday night, April 30. Proceeds from the event support the Community Hot Meals and Emergency Financial Assistance programs in Summit County. Ticket buyers and sponsors will have the opportunity to pick up their delicious meals from Akron’s iconic Portage Country Club on the afternoon of the event. They will also receive a cool Kentucky Derby related gift. The online link to the streamed event will be sent out the week of April 26.

Catholic Charities Summit County served more than 12,000 community meals and distributed more than $228,000 in emergency rent and utility assistance in 2020. Due to the Covid crisis, the 2020 Derby for Dollars was cancelled so we need your support more than ever. For tickets or more information, click here or email Carl Bako at 330-524-4196. If you purchased tickets for the 2020 event, you can use the web site to make your meal selections.

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES ASSOCIATION

[Please visit our website for the most updated schedule of events.]

MISCELLANEOUS

First Friday Club of Cleveland
Living The Mission – Catholic Higher Education In A Secular World – Presented by: Michael Pressimone, Ed.D. | Thursday, April 1, 2021 | Live Webinar begins at Noon via Zoom | Registration and more information here.

Workshops/Retreats

Jesuit Retreat Center Programs, 5629 State Road, Parma, Ohio 44134

For more information on the programs listed below, please click here or call 440-884-9300. 

April Morning Prayer for Women | Monday, April 19, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Sr. Mary Ann Flannery, S.C | Cost: $10

Cinema & Conversation: Silence | Monday, April 26, 7:00 p.m. | Free Will Offering.Shared Graces Retreat: Rooted in the Graces of the Spiritual Exercises (In-Person or Virtual options) | Sunday, May 2, 2:00 p.m. - Friday, May 7, 1:00 p.m. | Cost: Virtual Option, $225. In-Person Option (private room with bathroom), $450.

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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.

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