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.
New Norms and Instruction for Parish Pastoral Councils
Bishop Malesic has established new norms and an accompanying instruction for the operation of Parish Pastoral Councils. These replace entirely the previous 1990 norms and booklet. The new norms come into effect on April 1, 2025.
Parish changes: Bedford
After appropriate consultation, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Bedford, is to be merged into Saint Mary Parish, Bedford, effective May 4, 2025.
Parish changes: Cleveland
After appropriate consultation, Saint Malachi Parish, Cleveland, is to be merged into Saint Patrick (Bridge Ave.) Parish, Cleveland, effective April 27, 2025.
PONTIFICAL GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION | 18 APRIL 2025
Pope Francis has asked our parishes to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land, where they are now less than 2% of the population. Your support is essential to help the Church minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools, and offer religious education. The Pontifical Good Friday Collection also helps to preserve the scared shrines of Christianity, including in Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, to name only a few. When you contribute to the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you join with Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land. Please be generous. For more information about Christians in the Holy Land, visit https://myfranciscan.org/good-friday-2025/ or www.custodia.org
Home Mission Collection | April 26-27, 2025
The Catholic Home Mission Appeal Collection will be taken up the weekend of April 26-27, 2025, to assist struggling dioceses in the United States. Click here for Bulletin inserts.
Office of Catechetical Services Collection | May 10-11, 2025
Each year in the Diocese of Cleveland, a special collection is taken up in all the parishes to support the ministries of the Secretariat for Catechetical Services. This Diocesan Secretariat focuses on providing guidance and support that promotes the evangelizing mission of the Church through the catechetical efforts of all parishes and Newman Campus ministries in the Diocese. Ministries that will benefit from this collection include faith formation for adults, teens and children, and family-based faith formation, as well as the ongoing formation of Parish Catechetical Leaders and catechists as missionary disciples. Newman Catholic Campus Ministries provides opportunities for students to deepen a relationship with Christ through prayer and worship, community, faith and Bible studies, retreats and service. This year the collection will be held on the weekend of May 10-11, 2025. A contribution to the Office of Catechetical Services is an investment in the faith formation of people of all ages throughout the Diocese of Cleveland. Please encourage giving to this very special collection.
FDLC WEBINAR SERIES ON ARS CELEBRANDI
The FDLC is offering a webinar series entitled “The Art of Celebrating: Something More is Required.” The series is scheduled for five Wednesdays this spring – May 7 to June 4, 1:00 PM Eastern. The sessions will last seventy-five minutes, and will be recorded. Each registered person will receive a link to see the recorded session. Speakers will include Bishop Mark Seitz, Father Paul Turner, Fr. Bruce Cinquegrani, Sr. Joyce Ann Zimmerman, Msgr. Michael Begolly, and others. Click here for information and registration. There is no charge.
Applications for OCP Parish Grants are being accepted through May 30, 2025. The OCP Parish Grants Program is open to all Roman Catholic parishes and campus ministries that can demonstrate a consistent Mass schedule throughout the year. Applicants do not have to use an OCP worship program to qualify. For more information, please visit https://ocp.org/en-us/parish-grants.
Formation Sessions for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Formation Sessions for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are being offered each month. Register via the link included in the letter that was sent out at the end of January. Refer to the Office for Worship website for the complete list of locations.
Eucharistic Processions for Corpus Christi, June 22, 2025
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is celebrated on Sunday, June 22. Eucharistic processions on or near this feast are encouraged. When preparing a procession route, parishes should review local community ordinances and confer with public authorities and law enforcement officials. It may be necessary to apply for local permits and provide security escorts, especially if the procession will be using city streets.
After initial preparations have been developed and a route established with local permissions, parishes must contact the Office for Worship to obtain the Bishop’s formal approval of these plans. Please refer to the Guidelines for Preparing and Celebrating Eucharistic Exposition with a Public Procession document for more information.
May 2025 Liturgical Calendar
May 11 is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Prayers for vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life and permanent diaconate should be inserted into the general intercessions at Mass.
Blessing of Mothers on Mothers’ Day, May 11, 2025
When Mothers’ 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 1724-1728).
The Order for Visiting a Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025
“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).
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, May 29, 2025
In the Diocese of Cleveland, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is not celebrated on Thursday, May 29, but is transferred to the following Sunday, June 1, 2025. Scriptures and Orations for all Vigil and Sunday Masses should celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord, not the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
Angel Scholarship Fund
April 15, 2025 is the deadline for making a donation to the Angel Scholarship Fund (ASF) that may be eligible for a 2024 state tax credit. Please call 216-902-1312 for details on the ASF, or click here for important tax information that ASF donors can provide for their tax preparer.
2025 Catholic Charities Appeal – Make me a Channel of Your Peace
We are close to halfway to our $15.3 million dollar goal. Parishes can visit click here for updated parish statistics to see how well their parish is doing. There are also bulletin announcements located there to help keep parishioners engaged in this year’s Appeal. Email Sarah Gozur, or call 216-696-6525 x1910 with questions or for additional information.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, welcomed Anthony J. Searcy as chair of its board of directors for a two-year term, effective January 1, 2025. As board chair, Searcy will oversee the operation of the Catholic Charities board of directors. Learn more and see the full board slate here.
Legacy Giving: “Plan for the Future this Lent”
This Lent, pause to reflect on the gifts entrusted to you by God. How have you used those gifts during your lifetime, and how will you use them to care for others after your death? As you prayerfully consider your responsibility as a Christian steward, consider continuing to be part of this parish community by making a gift to (name of parish) in your will. Demonstrate your love for family and gratitude to God by sharing your wishes for loved ones, and practice almsgiving by planning a future gift to support our parish. Email Moira Wopershall, or call 216-696-6525 x8070 with questions or for additional information.
HEALTH CARE OPEN ENROLLMENT
If your employees wish to make any changes to their coverage, Health Care Plans - Enrollment/Change forms must be received by the Health Benefits Office no later than May 9. Any changes will be effective July 1. Also, a reminder that Annual Physical and Tobacco Attestation Forms and Working Spouse Employer Verification forms are due by May 1. Forms and information can be found at www.MyDocBenefits.com
Contact the Employee Benefits Office at (216) 696-6525, ext. 5040 or hbo@dioceseofcleveland.org with any questions. Scanning and emailing forms is recommended.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM). The USCCB provides CAPM materials every few years as a valuable resource to protect the life and dignity of all, especially the young and the vulnerable. Included is a comprehensive resource booklet assembled with such items as suggested virtual activities, homily helps, sample social media posts, and liturgical aides to raise awareness about child abuse prevention. Click to download. For more information, please visit our website | For questions, email Sharon Minson
Wedding Anniversary Jubilee
June 29, 2025, 2:00pm | Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
The 50th Wedding Anniversary Jubilee celebration at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is scheduled for June 29 at 2:00 pm. We would like to encourage greater participation of couples at the Wedding Jubilee Mass. Please consider sharing this event from the pulpit and inviting couples married in 1975 and their families to join us. No registration necessary. We also ask priests, especially pastors with couples from their communities who are celebrating this special occasion, to consider concelebrating at the Wedding Jubilee Mass. Please contact Terri Yohman if you are available.
Coffee & Conversation
If you would like to discuss middle school or high school youth ministry with Francine, the Director of the Office Youth Ministry, and how the office can better serve you, please schedule a time to meet. Clergy, youth ministers, campus ministers, parish staff are welcome.
Office of Hispanic Ministry
Retiro Cuaresmal: Caminando por el Desierto
Capilla del Sagrado Corazón, Lorain
Sábado, 5 de abril | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Domingo, 6 de abril | 1:00pm – 5:30pm
Office of Youth Ministry
Youth Minister Bootcamp: A Flourishing Apostolic Church
Tuesday, April 8, 10am-12pm | St. Christopher Parish, Rocky River
Office of Black Catholic Ministries
Black Catholic Men’s Retreat
Saturday, April 12, 9am-3pm | St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima Parish
Office of Young Adult Ministry
Holy Night Hike
April 17, 2025
We have asked many churches throughout the Diocese to remain open on Holy Thursday until 11 p.m. for people to come and worship the Eucharist at their altar of reposition. Seven of these churches are within walking distance of each other and we are encouraging young adults to walk together and visit these seven churches on Holy Thursday evening. Learn more
Office of Hispanic Ministry
Procesión de Viernes Santo
Viernes, 18 de abril de 2025
11:00 am | Salida desde San Miguel
12:30 pm | St. Colman - Lecturas de la Pasión de Cristo
1:30 pm | La Sagrada Familia - Veneración de la Santa Cruz
Office of Young Adult Ministry
Theology on Tap East
Wednesday, April 23, 7-9pm | Mulligan's Pub (Highland Heights)
Speaker: TBA
Office of Hispanic Ministry
Talleres en Espiritualidad Ignaciana
Jueves, 24 de abril, 6pm | St. Ignatius High School, Capilla de Santa María de la Asunción
Office Lay Ecclesial Ministry
LEM Workshop: The Human Vocation
Saturday, April 26, 10am-12pm | Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe
Office of Young Adult Ministry
Theology on Tap West: Flannery O’Connor and the Jubilee of Hope
Wednesday, April 30, 7-9pm | Forest City Brewery, Cleveland
Office of Youth Ministry
Youth Minister Bootcamp: Intentional Planning in Ministry
Wednesday, May 7, 12:45-3pm | St. John Vianney Parish, Mentor
Office of Youth Ministry
National Catholic Youth Conference
November 20-23, Indianapolis IN
"I didn't know there were so many other Catholic teens like me!" Give your youth a taste of the Universal Church and a long weekend of opportunities to encounter Jesus by bringing a group of high school teens and chaperones to NCYC, along with our bishops. The diocesan package includes transportation to and from Indianapolis, conference fee, lodging (quad room for teens; double for adults), and a few meals. Non-refundable deposit of $300 each will reserve your spots. Read more HERE and scroll to the bottom section on Group Leaders to buy tickets.
Movie about Carlo Acutis
On Sunday, April 27th the first Millennial Saint, Carlo Acutis, will be canonized in Rome.
A movie about his life will be in theaters nationwide entitled Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality. The movie will be shown in 945 theaters across the United States: April 27-29, 2025. Tickets can be purchased upfront through a pre-sale program at www.carloacutisfilm.com
First Friday Club of Greater Akron
Hoban High School Steel Drum Band | Friday, April 4, 2025 | Our Lady of Cedars, 507 South Cleveland Massillon Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333 | Registration and more information can found here.
Theology of the Rocks for Adults 40 & Over | Monday, April 14, 2025 | Westside Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd., Olmsted Twp. | Fr. Mark Latcovich, Pastor of St. Ladislas | Click here for more information.
Our Mother's Hands
All are invited to discover the stories behind the images of the Holy Face of Jesus, left for us to meditate upon and venerate. Veronica' veil and the Shroud of Turin, among others, reveal Christ's loving gaze for each one of us. Our Mother’s Hands will be presenting you with the opportunity to not only learn more of these incredible gifts, but to venerate an approved Holy Face relic, at five parishes throughout the Diocese. Click here for more information.
Travel to Italy with Joe Cronauer, TV/Radio host and Manager of Communication for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
October 1st – 13th 2025 | Visiting Sicily, Palermo, Agrigento, Naxos Beach, Matera, Sorrento, Rome and more. Informational meeting: April 3, 2025 | 6-7:30 PM | 3 Summit Park Drive Auditorium, Independence 44131. For more details, visit the website
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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.
Child & Youth Protection
Our promise to protect, our pledge to heal.
To report an abuse, please contact local law enforcement and:
Kathleen McComb, Victim Assistance Coordinator
Response Services – 216-334-2999
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland © 2025
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