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.
Advent & Christmas Liturgical Preparation Aid
The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions has made available a free booklet to help prepare liturgies during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Both English and Spanish versions are available. Download the aid here.
Opening of the Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
The Diocese of Cleveland will open the Jubilee Year 2025 with a sacred pilgrimage and Mass on Sunday, December 29, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. All are invited to gather at St. Peter Church (17th and Superior) at 4:30pm. Liturgy will begin there with prayer, proclamation of a Gospel passage, and reading of some sections of the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year. All gathered will join a solemn procession to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, led by the cross of Christ. Once at the Cathedral, Mass will continue (at 5:30pm) as usual. Bishop Malesic has designated eleven Sacred Jubilee Sites, 8 parishes (one in each county of the Diocese of Cleveland) and 3 shrines. Click here for more information.
January 2025 Liturgical Calendar
On New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, the household may gather at the table or at the Christmas tree or the manger scene for a Blessing of the New Year. See Household Blessings 85-87.
The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, a holy day of obligation, is celebrated on Wednesday, January 1. Vigil Masses for the Solemnity may be celebrated after 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31.
On the Epiphany of the Lord, Sunday January 5, there is an ancient custom of announcing the dates of moveable feasts for the coming year. This proclamation has been used in connection with the blessing and distribution of calendars. This Epiphany Proclamation may take place after the reading or singing of the Gospel. It may be solemnly sung by the deacon, presider, or cantor from the ambo. See the Roman Missal, Appendix I: The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins Saturday, January 18th. Specific intentions from the Masses for Various Needs and Occasions may be inserted into the General Intercessions at Mass: from the Mass for the Unity of Christians (#17), For the Evangelization of Peoples (#18), and For Persecuted Christians (#19). Prayer services with other Christians would also be appropriate, see Book of Blessings 553-573, or Household Book of Blessings 133.
The Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. is celebrated on January 20th. Prayers for the end of racial discrimination may be included in the intercessory prayers for the day. The prayers for Mass may be taken from the Mass “For the Preservation of Peace and Justice” (see #30, alt) or “For Promoting Harmony” (#15, alt).
The Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children is Wednesday, January 22. On this anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade (1973), all dioceses of the United States observe a "day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion" (GIRM, #373). The Mass "For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life" (#48/1A or B) from Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions may be celebrated with white vestments, or the Mass "For the Preservation of Peace and Justice" (#30) with violet vestments.
The annual diocesan Mass for Life will be celebrated Friday, January 17, at the Cathedral at 10:00 am.
In 2019, Pope Francis declared that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the word of God. Parish communities are encouraged to find their own ways to mark January 26, 2025, Sunday of the Word of God, with a certain solemnity.
Letters of Suitability: annual reminder
In light of the provisions of canon 903 CIC and canon 703 §1 CCEO, Letters of Suitability are required by all clergy when performing ministerial duties outside the Diocese of Cleveland. Those in the Office of Clergy and Religious are happy to assist our clergy with their Letters of Suitability. Requests can be made through the Diocese of Cleveland website, under the Office of Clergy and Religious, Letter of Suitability Request: https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/offices/clergy-religious/letter-of-suitability-request. If possible, submit your request as soon as you are aware of your need for a Letter of Suitability.
Please be aware, because there will be limited email access in the Office of Clergy and Religious during the week of Christmas and New Years, the Office asks that, if you need a Letter of Suitability between Wednesday, December 18, 2024 to Sunday, January 5, 2025, to please submit your requests by Monday, December 16th. However, if you are in need of a Letter of Suitability for an emergency or funeral during this time period, please email Fr. Joe Mamich. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Please note, we are only able to take requests from Diocesan clergy. Clergy who are either extern priests or deacons or from a religious order must contact their own diocese/religious community for a letter of suitability.
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact the Office of Clergy and Religious at 216-696-6525 x2440 or x2930.
November 2024 Announcements
Rev. Joseph A. Bacevice, Pastor of St. Casimir Parish, Cleveland has received permission to retire effective 30 April 2025.
Rev. Frederick F. Pausche, Pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, Concord has received permission to retire effective 30 June 2025.
Rev. Thomas G. Elsasser has resigned from the Office of Pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Mentor and has been granted an authorized Leave of Absence for Sick Leave for a period of one year effective 1 January 2025.
Rev. Stephen Ayama Ntui, after proper consultation with the Most Reverend Joseph E. Ekuwem, Archbishop of Calabar [Nigeria], has concluded his status as an international student. He has been hired as a contract chaplain by the Cleveland Clinic and has been granted permission to exercise priestly ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland effective 6 November 2024. His residence remains unchanged.
Rev. Louis Demba Ndione, SSS, with permission of the Very Reverend John Thomas Lane, SSS, Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, has been appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Paschal Baylon Parish in Highland Heights effective 21 October 2024.
Rev. Stephen Dewitt, OFM, with permission of the Very Rev. Lawrence Hayes, OFM, Provincial Minister of the Franciscan Friars, Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, has been appointed a faculty member at Padua Franciscan High School, Parma effective 15 November 2024. He has also received permission to live at St. Anthony of Padua Friary in Brooklyn effective 15 November 2024.
Rev. Felix C. Silagan, with permission of the Most Reverend Alberto Sy Uy, Bishop of Tagbilaran [Philippines], has been appointed Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Parish, Stow effective 7 November 2024.
Rev. Sebastian Rosario, SSS, has been appointed Chaplain of the Knights of the Columbus Wickliffe Council #5405 effective immediately. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wickliffe and Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Willougby.
Deacon Thomas A. Litwinowicz concludes his diaconal assignment at St. Matthias Parish, Parma and has been appointed Deacon of St. Michael Parish, Independence effective 15 January 2025.
2024 Catholic Charities Appeal – more than $14 million pledged as of October 31.
Solicitation Letter: Our fourth and final letter of 2024 hit households the week of November 18. This letter emphasized supporting the hungry and homeless population throughout the diocese. For every dollar donated, three healthy meals are able to be provided to those in need. To make an immediate impact, donations can be made online.
#weGIVECATHOLIC - Northeast Ohio’s Online Day of Catholic Giving
Come together on Giving Tuesday, December 3, to raise awareness and inspire our Catholic community. Support 240+ Catholic parishes, Catholic schools, Catholic Charities sites/programs, and Catholic nonprofits in Northeast Ohio. Don't want to wait until Tuesday, Dec. 3 to donate? Head to weGiveCatholic.org NOW to give during our Early Giving Period.
Angel Scholarship Fund Year-End Promotional Messaging
Encourage year-end giving at your school and parish by utilizing one or more of our new 2024 year-end messages in your bulletin, newsletter, as a pulpit announcement, or as an e-blast. This marketing effort could be exactly what your school or parish needs to reach its 2024 ASF fundraising goal. Year-end messaging can be found in the ASF Marketing Toolkit. Please contact Kaitlyn Novicky, 216-696-6525, ext. 1680 with any questions.
Year-End Giving (suggested bulletin announcement): In this season of giving, consider making a year-end gift to our parish in gratitude for all the blessings you have received in life. As you plan to make the most of your charitable donations in 2024, know that we gratefully accept gifts of cash and appreciated assets such as stocks or bonds.
And, if you are 70 ½ or older, you may be able to make a gift of a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA that will help us in our ministry and reduce your taxable income. Talk to your advisors and IRA administrator for more information and to be sure that your IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution gift is made directly from an IRA to a qualified charity such as our parish. Questions? Contact XXX in our parish office at (XXX) XXX-XXXX or via email at ________. You are also welcome to contact Moira Wopershall of the Catholic Community Foundation at 216-696-6525 x 8070 or visit www.catholiccommunity.org/ira.
Overtime Exemptions Rule Reversed
On November 15, 2024, a Texas federal court struck down a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rule that raised the minimum salary required to be paid to most employees classified as exempt from overtime and minimum wage requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The court's order invalidates the rule nationwide effective immediately.
The court’s decision blocks the minimum compensation increases that were scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2025 and invalidates the previously required July 1, 2024 increases nationwide. Effective immediately, the salary level test amount for executive, administrative and professional employees returns to $684 per week ($35,568 annually). Employers that have already raised compensation amounts based on the final rule might be considering whether to now decrease amounts based on prior DOL requirements. If you are planning to decrease amounts or are planning to not increase amounts in the future that have been previously communicated (e.g., increases that were planned for January 1, 2025), then you should discuss your strategy with legal counsel. Note that the duties test is still a factor in determining if an employee is exempt or non-exempt. If you have any questions, please contact the Diocese Legal or Human Resources offices.
National Marriage Week USA 2025: “Pursuing a Lasting Love”|
Save the Date: February 7-14, 2025
There is a tool kit available for download on the national website. The Marriage and Family Office will be hosting two events to kick off the month of February and celebrate marriages. To find more details and help promote, please visit our events page here.
The Great Youth Minister Swap
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Be a part of this diocesan-wide event that will take place at the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Youth ministers can sign up to be sent to another parish and/or to have another youth minister come to your parish to lead a high school night on HOPE with materials created by the Office of Youth Ministry. Assignments will be announced at CLE 2:16, Draft Day style. Sign up by December 6.
New Alpha Youth Series
Looking for a zero-entry evangelization opportunity for middle schoolers or teens? Alpha Youth just dropped their brand-new 7-million-dollar production, and it is free to use. The New Alpha Youth Series creates space for young people to have meaningful conversations about life, faith, and purpose. Questions about how to launch it? Contact Francine Costantini.
Sensory Friendly Mass
Sunday, December 8, 12pm | St. Justin Martyr Parish, Eastlake
Parish liturgical celebrations and catechetical programs should be accessible to persons with disabilities and open to their full, active and conscious participation, according to their capacity. To this end, we invite anyone/family with different abilities or on the spectrum that would benefit from participating in this special and sensitive liturgy to a sensory friendly Mass on Sunday, December 8 at 12pm at St. Justin Martyr. All are welcome.
Office of Hispanic Ministry
Celebrations of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Across the Diocese
Join the Hispanic Catholic community for the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Patroness of Latin America. Pope John Paul II named Our Lady of Guadalupe “Patroness of America” during his visit to Mexico in 1999. She is also known as “Empress of the Americas.”
Invitamos a toda la comunidad Hispana de Cleveland a celebrar a La Virgen de Guadalupe: patrona de América Latina. El papa Juan Pablo II, nombró a la Virgen de Guadalupe “la Patrona de América” durante su visita a México en 1999. Pero además también se le conoce como “Emperatriz de las Américas”.
Capilla del Sagrado Corazón, Lorain
Martes, 3-10 de diciembre | Novena que incluye Rosario, Exposición del Santísimo y Misa.
Miércoles, 11 de diciembre, 9:00 pm | Rosario, bocadillos mexicanos, las Mañanitas y mariachi.
Jueves, 12 de diciembre, 12 am | Misa, bendición de las Rosas y convivio.
Holy Angels, Chagrin Falls
Jueves 12 de diciembre, 7 pm | Misa
Servants of Mary | 6601 Ireland Road, Windsor, OH 44099
St. Agnes, Orville
Miércoles, 11 de diciembre, 10:00 pm | Misa, bailes tradicionales (Los Viejitos) y comida típica.
St. Mary, Painesville
Miércoles, 11 de diciembre, 6 pm-12 midnight | Rosario, concierto y Las Mañanitas
Jueves 12 de diciembre, 7 pm | Dramatización de las Apariciones, procesión, Misa y cena típica.
San Bernardo/St. Mary in Akron
Miércoles, 11 de diciembre, 10:00 pm-midnight | Las Mañanitas
Sábado, 14 de diciembre, 6:00 pm | Gran exhibición de rosas compradas por la parroquia y donantes individuales, Misa solemne, mariachi, bilingüe dramatización de las apariciones, DJ music, danza y cena típica.
Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Cleveland
Jueves, 12 de diciembre, 5:00 am | Las Mañanitas
Jueves, 12 de diciembre, 7:00 pm | Procesión y Santa Misa
San Miguel Arcángel, Cleveland
Jueves, 12 de diciembre, 6:00 am | Las Mañanitas
Jueves, 12 de diciembre, 6:30 pm | procesión de rosas, Misa, presentación de la simbología de la imagen y cena típica.
La Sagrada Familia, Cleveland
Domingo, 15 de diciembre, 6:30 am | Las Mañanitas
Domingo, 15 de diciembre, 12 pm | Misa solemne (Celebrante Bishop Edward C. Malesic)
Office of Marriage & Family Ministry
Bereavement Day of Reflection: Hope Restored, Not Deferred
Friday, December 6, 9:30am-2pm | Jesuit Retreat Center, Parma
Office of Black Catholic Ministries
Live Nativity of Jesus Christ
Thursday, December 19, 6:00pm-8:00pm | St. Aloysius/St. Agatha Parish, Cleveland
Office of Marriage & Family Ministry
Cycle Prep Workshop
Saturday, January 11, 10:00am-12:00pm | St. Helen Parish, Newbury Township
Office For Human Life
Annual Mass for Life
Friday, January 17, 10:00am | Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland
All Catholic high schools, elementary schools, home schoolers and any students from public schools are invited to attend. Registration is necessary for seating purposes. Come and celebrate the dignity and sacredness of all human life with your peers throughout the diocese.
[Please visit our website for the most updated schedule of events and the Bereavement page for details about our Grief Support offerings.]
Free In-Office and Virtual Monthly Grief Support: 3rd Sunday of every month
(*4th Sunday, if the 3rd Sunday falls on a holiday)
Catholic Cemeteries Association continues to offer free monthly in-office and virtual grief support groups. In a comfortable and supportive environment, you'll find a warm fellowship of people with similar grief experiences led by trained Ministers of Consolation. The groups are open discussion around a monthly topic or whatever is on your heart. If you attend grief support at another organization, consider ours a free source of additional support. Come. Listen. Be in the presence of those who understand. RSVP’s are appreciated but not required to attend.
3:00 – 4:00 pm IN-OFFICE (Cemetery main office buildings):
5:00 – 6:00 pm, (virtual via Zoom):
Registration is free and open to anyone seeking bereavement support in a virtual setting. Join by computer or by phone. Register in advance of the meeting here with your email address to receive login instructions and download the handout materials. Internet-enabled devices (computer, tablet, smart phone, etc.) are able to join via video and audio. Those dialing in with an analog phone will be able to join via audio only. For more information, contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866.
“A Closer Walk With Thee” – CCA Monthly Grief Support E-Newsletter:
Subscribe to Catholic Cemeteries Association’s monthly grief support e-newsletter, “A Closer Walk with Thee”. This helpful grief resource is emailed the first Tuesday of each month to any family/individual who has expressed an interest in our bereavement programs. To subscribe, go to the signup form or contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866.
First Friday Club of Greater Akron
Fr. Mike McCandless, Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Stow | Friday, December 6, 2024 | Our Lady of Cedars, 507 South Cleveland Massillon Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333 | Registration and more information here.
First Friday Club of Cleveland
John Czarnetzky, Dean of Ave Maria Law School | Thursday, December 5, 2024 | Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, OH 44092 | Registration and more information can found here.
Theology of the Rocks for Adults 40 & Over | Monday, December 9, 2024 | Westside Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd., Olmsted Twp. | Bill Toler, Director of Liturgy at St. Raphael’s Parish | Click here for more information.
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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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