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Offices Chancellor Diocesan Memorandum January 2023

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Diocesan Memorandum

January 2023 | Vol. 57, no. 1 | Prot. No. C-1/2023

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

Catholic University Collection | 14-15 January 2023
The Catholic University of America is the national research university of the Catholic Church in the United States. Gifts to the National Collection — the only second collection taken for higher education in the U.S. — support students during this crucial time and help the University conduct critical research that will serve parishes and dioceses throughout the country. 

Latin America – El Salvador Collection | 21-22 January 2022
The Latin American Collection will take place on 21-22 January 2023. This is the only appeal made by the Diocesan Mission Office for the Cleveland Latin American Mission in El Salvador. It is the main support for two Diocese of Cleveland priests who work in the two parishes served by our Mission Office.  This appeal also makes a contribution to the Collection for the Church in Latin America that is managed by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and benefits projects and the formation of seminarians, religious and lay leaders in 23 countries across Latin America. 

Office for Worship

A resource for the Sunday of the Word of God is available here, courtesy of The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. It includes pastoral considerations, music suggestions, sample intercessions and more.

February 2023 Liturgical Calendar

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is Thursday, February 2, 2023.  This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day: the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world.  It is one of only two liturgical celebrations that calls for a procession of the faithful into church carrying lighted candles - the other being the Easter Vigil. According to the “First Form: The Procession,” the faithful gather outside the church, and after their candles are lit, the priest blesses them. The procession follows. Whenever a procession cannot take place, the “Second Form: The Solemn Entrance” may be used. Ideally, all candles that will be used for liturgical or devotional purposes should be blessed at this liturgy. Please refer to February 2 in the Roman Missal for additional directives.

The World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated in the Church on Thursday, February 2, 2023, and in parishes over the weekend of February 4-5, 2023. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God's gift of their vocation.

The feast of St. Blaise falls on Friday, February 3, 2023.  If the blessing of throats is conferred during Mass, it follows the homily and general intercessions, or, for pastoral reasons, the prayer of blessing may take the place of the final blessing. The blessing may be given by touching the throat of each person with two blessed candles.  The blessing may also be given to the sick or the elderly in their homes when they cannot attend the parish celebration, including by lay ministers.  A lay minister always says the prayer without making the sign of the cross. (See Book of Blessings, nos. 1622-1655 for the complete rite.)

A Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking is observed on Wednesday, February 8.  Resources are available through the USCCB here.

Ash Wednesday falls on February 22, 2023. The blessing and distribution of ashes at Mass occurs after the homily, using the ritual texts in the Roman Missal. Directives for distributing ashes outside Mass during a Liturgy of the Word can be found in the Roman Missal following the Prayer Over the People for Mass on Ash Wednesday. The Book of Blessings (nos. 1656-1678) includes a similar rite (without the blessing of ashes) which can be used by lay ministers when taking blessed ashes to the sick and homebound.

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion is celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent in two liturgies at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. It is Bishop Malesic’s desire that every parish within the diocese send their catechumens and candidates for full communion to the Cathedral for this special celebration.

The 2023 Rite of Election and call to Continuing Conversion will be on Sunday, February 26.  Liturgy times are assigned by district as follows:

  • 2:30pm – Lake, Geauga, Lorain, Summit, Wayne, Ashland, Medina, Cleveland Central East, Suburban Southeast
  • 5:30pm – Cleveland Central West, Cleveland Northwest, Cleveland Southeast, Suburban East, Suburban Southwest, Suburban West

New Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Anticipating the promulgation of a new translation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) is offering free training webinars for diocesan and parish leaders.  The webinars will cover twenty significant topics presented by nationally known speakers in the areas of evangelization, catechesis, liturgy, and sacramental theology. The first nine webinars are available without registration here.

For registered participants, the webinars can be viewed live on Wednesdays (English) and Thursdays (Spanish). All registered participants may also access the recorded version of the weekly webinar at their leisure.  Register here.

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Parish Legacy Gift Opportunities
The Catholic Community Foundation has many different resources to assist your parish in promoting legacy gifts in support of your parish. If you are interested in these opportunities, please contact Jean Ann Montagna or 216-696-6525 x8070.

Our Gift to You: A Free Will-Writing Resource
We’ve partnered with FreeWill to make it easier for our community to create their Catholic legacy. Using this online tool, you can write a legal will for free and protect your blessings, while including the necessary language to create an eternal legacy gift in your plans. This resource takes 20 minutes or less and can be paired with an attorney for more complex estates. We invite you to visit https://www.freewill.com/catholiccommunity  to write a free, legal will.

Create Your Catholic Legacy (sample bulletin announcement)
When you make plans to leave a gift to the Church, you demonstrate your gratitude to God for all the gifts with which God has blessed you. You also give witness to family and friends as to the importance of your faith, at the same time blessing the lives of those who will benefit from your generosity. Whether you make a gift to continue a ministry at your parish, to help sustain the good works of Catholic Charities, to provide a Catholic education to students, to ensure the formation of priests, or to help another ministry of the Diocese of Cleveland, you are passing along the tradition of our Catholic faith. Your gift to the Church is part of your legacy. Questions? Contact XXX in our parish office at (XXX) XXX-XXXX or via email at ________. You are also welcome to contact Jean Ann Montagna of the Catholic Community Foundation at 216-696-6525 x8070.

2023 Catholic Charities Appeal kicks off in January with the theme, “A time to heal, a time to help.”  During the week of 25 January, close to 150,000 households will receive a letter from Bishop Malesic encouraging support for the Appeal and asking each of us to embrace this theme. The Appeal goal is $14 million and is needed to continue to serve more than 400,000 people in need. Donations can be made online or by texting CCHOPE to 41444.

Parish Appeal: Feb. 18-19 All parishes are asked to conduct the In-Pew Appeal the weekend of 18-19 Feb. We are grateful for the support of our priests and volunteers who faithfully promote the appeal at the parish level and to our loyal parishioners who, through their sacrificial gifts, are changing lives throughout our diocese. We need to raise $4 million on this weekend across the diocese to ensure our goals are met to serve the people in need. Thank you for all you do to encourage participation.

Parish Kits will arrive in all parishes for in pew weekend the week of 25 January. If you have questions or for more information email Sarah Gozur or call 216-696-6525 x1910.

FINANCE OFFICE

Ohio Minimum Wage for 2023
Ohio’s minimum wage is scheduled to increase from $9.30 to $10.10 per hour for non-tipped employees on January 1, 2023.  Please download the new poster and display it with your other labor law posters:  Minimum Wage Posters | Ohio Department of Commerce

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Office for the Protection of Children & Youth

Protecting God’s Children 
In our continued effort to comply with the requirements of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Office for Protection of Children & Youth is asking parishes to publish the bulletin announcement below at least twice during the time period of January 2, 2023 and February 28, 2023. When published, parishes are asked to forward an electronic copy of the bulletin to Debbie Morris.

Bulletin announcement:

Protecting God’s Children
The Diocese of Cleveland’s “Protecting God’s Children” program is a continuing effort to instruct and inform everyone about the protection of children from sexual abuse. To report any past or present suspected inappropriate behavior toward children by priests, deacons, religious, lay ecclesial ministers or personnel associated with the Church, please contact the Diocesan Response Service Office at (216) 334 -2999 or via email at response_services@dioceseofcleveland.org . You are also asked to immediately inform local authorities about inappropriate behavior.

SECRETARIAT FOR PARISH LIFE AND SPECIAL MINISTRIES

Join us in welcoming three new members to the staff of the Parish Life Secretariat!
We are excited to announce that Sr. Jane Nesmith, SBS, Christy Cabaniss, and Christina Fischer have joined the Parish Life staff. As Director of Black Catholic Ministries, Sr. Jane will help support and develop programs that evangelize and enrich the Black Catholic presence throughout our diocese. Christy Cabaniss, as the new Director of Missionary Discipleship, will be responsible for advancing the diocesan mission of cultivating a culture of missionary discipleship within our faith communities. Christina Fischer will be working closely with Mary von Carlowitz in the Human Life Office as Project Coordinator helping to educate and inspire people throughout the diocese to be good stewards of the gift of life that God has given us. We look forward to the great work they will contribute to the various ministries in our community.  

Eucharistic Revival

Parish Year of Revival Orientation | January 18, 1:30 – 3 pm
The Parish Year of the Eucharistic Revival will begin on the Feast of Corpus Christi in June 2023. To kick off the Parish Year, we are inviting all parishes to organize a Eucharistic Procession. Parish pastoral leaders are invited to join us for this virtual orientation to discuss the logistics for organizing the procession, as well as other initiatives for the parish year.

For those who cannot join us, the orientation will be recorded. If you register online, we will email a direct link of the recording to you for later viewing. Please register at dioceseofcleveland.org/eucharist

Relics of Bl. Carlo Acutis & St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia | January 7-12, 2023
During these years of Eucharistic Revival, relics of Bl. Carlo Acutis and St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia are touring America and will be blessing our diocese in January. Bl. Carlo was a millennial teen whose devotion to the Eucharist led him to create a website documenting Eucharistic Miracles throughout the world. St. Manuel, known as the Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle, dedicated his life to bringing people back to church and encouraging devotion to the Eucharist. We hope you will visit a location closest to you!

Schedule for the relics:

  • January 7 – CLE 21:6, diocesan youth conference
  • January 8 – Ss. Cosmas & Damian Parish, Twinsburg
  • January 9 – Our Lady of Victory Parish, Tallmadge
  • January 10 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wickliffe
  • January 11 – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lorain
  • January 12 – St. Helen Parish, Newbury

Black Catholic Ministries

Greetings from Sr. Jane Nesmith! St. Katharine Drexel, the foundress of my religious community, would be pleased to know that she could accommodate the Cleveland Diocese with personnel in 2022 as she was privileged to do in 1943. Thank you for your welcoming spirit!

National Black Catholic Congress XIII
There will be a follow-up session to the October Day of Reflection with a firm diocesan plan for participation in the National Black Catholic Congress XIII on Saturday, February 4, 2023, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church. All are welcome to this gathering. Please announce this in your parish bulletins. Click here for the flier.

Contact Sr. Jane for more information or 216-696-6525 ext.3020. 

Hispanic Ministry

Formación para equipos de ministerio matrimonial (Marriage ministry team training) | January 28, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Our Lady of Mount Carmel, West
We invite parish marriage ministry teams and those interested in forming a parish team to join us for this five-session training. The training will provide tools to help participants serve more effectively in married life and ministry. Topics include: understanding the family today, developing good communication skills, understanding the stages of human development, fostering a life of prayer as a couple, and developing a ministry that accompanies others.

Invitamos a los equipos parroquiales del ministerio matrimonial y aquellos interesados en formar un equipo parroquial a unirse a nosotros para esta capacitación de cinco sesiones. La capacitación proporcionará herramientas para ayudar a los participantes a servir de manera más efectiva en la vida matrimonial y el ministerio. Los temas incluyen: comprender a la familia hoy, desarrollar buenas habilidades de comunicación, comprender las etapas del desarrollo humano, fomentar una vida de oración en pareja y desarrollar un ministerio que acompañe a los demás.

Human Life

A Week for Life
During the course of the week leading up to the Mass for Life (January 20, 2023), we will be highlighting the many ways we value life from conception to natural death. Each day of the week will include a new video and social media posting, culminating in the Mass for Life. We are releasing the videos and other resources ahead of time to allow youth ministers, parish catechetical leaders, school teachers, and parents to review the materials for personal use in their own settings that week (and throughout the year). Visit our website for more information: dioceseofcleveland.org/humanlife

Mass for Life
On Friday, January 20, 2023, at 10:00am in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Office for Human Life invites students, families, and people from all across the Diocese to celebrate the dignity and sanctity of ALL human life at this special liturgy. Please join us in prayer as we give praise for the Dobbs decision from June 24th of this past year, yet still commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Interfaith Office

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Lecture: “My Journey to Unity in Christ” | January 20, 2023, 1:30 pm | Guest Presenter: Rev. Dr. John Armstrong | Center for Pastoral Leadership
28700 Euclid Avenue, Wickliffe, OH 44092 | Open to the public.

Lay Ecclesial Ministry

Catholic Social Teaching Workshop
This workshop will be presented in three phases. It is recommended that participants attend all three of the workshops if possible.

  • January 7, 2023. CST 101: “An Introductory Guide to the Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching,” Presenter: Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl
  • February 11, 2023. CST 102: “Pro-Life in a Post-Roe World,” Presenter: Mary von Carlowitz.
  • March 22, 2023. CST 103: “Catholic Social Teaching in Action,” Presenter: Shawn Witmer

All workshops held in the Aula at the Center for Pastoral Leadership, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. There is no fee. Registration is required through dioceseofcleveland.org/events.

Lay Ecclesial Ministry Information Night | January 30, 2023, 7-8:30 pm | Center for Pastoral Leadership, Aula Room
Interested in serving the Church as a lay person? Come learn about the process for becoming a certified Lay Ecclesial Minister in the diocese. We are now accepting applications year-round. Find more information about the program here or contact the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Office.

Marriage & Family Ministry

National Marriage Week | February 7-14, 2023 

This year's theme, "Marriage...One Flesh, Given and Received" highlights the one-flesh union of husband and wife that is willed by God. It also indicates the personal self-gift of each spouse, one to the other. These concepts point to Christ who gives Himself under the appearance of bread and wine—as real flesh and blood. The USCCB team is creating graphics, social media posts, a preaching resource, an online retreat for married couples, and date night event template. Stay tuned!

Marriage Mentor Training | Saturday, January 28, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | St. Gabriel’s Church, Concord
Married couples interested in becoming Prepare-Enrich Marriage Mentors are invited to join us for this one-day training. This is NOT the full Prepare-Enrich Facilitator training. To register, please email Terri Yohman. The cost for the training is $45 which includes lunch and the Prepare-Enrich Marriage Mentoring manual.

50th Jubilee Celebration is scheduled for 9:30 AM on June 24, 2023. Please put a save the date in your parish bulletins. As always, we encourage pastors to personally recognize couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Details about the Diocesan celebration and certificate request will follow soon.

Office of Missionary Discipleship

Hi! I am Christy Cabaniss, the new Director of Missionary Discipleship. I am joining you from the Diocese of Greensburg. I come to you with over 10 years of parish and diocesan ministry experience. I am thrilled to serve you in forming missionary disciples in our parishes and across our diocese. Please pray for me, the work of this office, and for all who live in the Diocese of Cleveland that we can grow deeper in our love of Jesus, the Word Incarnate, and become a Eucharistic People, living out His vision for the Church as missionary disciples!

You can reach me at ccabaniss@dioceseofcleveland.org or 216-696-6525 ext. 2552.

Office of Youth Ministry

YM Bootcamp: Communication | January 17, 1-3pm |  St Peter, North Ridgeville
Let's talk all things communication! Come learn about different youth ministry database options, communication with teens and families, marketing your ministry, and creating digital content.  We will also talk about safe environment - when and how can we communicate with our teens safely.

Please join us for this Youth Minister Bootcamp formation event. While this was initially conceived for newer youth ministers, 5+ year veterans can certainly benefit from new information, and the collective wisdom of the group as we discuss these important topics. Register by January 13.

Turning the Tide: A Series on Mental Health | January 18, 25; February 1, 10am-noon | St. Charles Borromeo, Parma
We are all well aware of the need for good mental health, for ourselves and for those to whom we minister. Please join us for this three-part series to discuss how we can better serve our teens in this area. Register by January 13.

Check out Springtide Research's most recent report: The State of Religion & Young People 2022: Mental Health–What Faith Leaders Need to Know.

Desert Day Retreat | February 17, 1-3pm | St Peter, North Ridgeville   
It is hard to keep giving from an empty cup, so come spend time with the Lord and be filled. This event is geared for those who work with middle and high school teens - especially youth ministers, campus ministers, youth ministry volunteers, and Parish Catechetical Leaders. We will start with a light breakfast, an inspiring talk by John Beaulieu, Director of Evangelization and Formation at Franciscan University, and then go on our own to read, reflect, respond, and pray in solitude with God. Mass, Adoration, Confession, and Spiritual Direction will be available. Register by February 6.

SECRETARIAT FOR CATECHETICAL FORMATION

Online Option for Faith Formation of Adult Disciples
The Diocese of Cleveland is a long-time partner diocese with the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF), an initiative begun at the University of Dayton. The VLCFF is an online-learning option that supports lifelong adult faith formation in the Catholic Church, making it a great option for all parishioners to expand and deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.  The VLCFF respects the many challenges of daily life:

  • participate from the comfort of home 
  • participate at whatever time of day works for your schedule
  • choose whatever course topics are of interest to you
  • enjoy a much lower course cost (half price!) because the Diocese of Cleveland is a VLCFF partner diocese

Courses and seminars are offered year-round in seven convenient cycles.  At the bottom of the VLCFF's homepage - https://vlc.udayton.edu - is a link that encourages you to browse through a Sample Course.  The Calendar link at the top of the homepage gives the dates of the course cycles and leads to a listing of all the courses offered in each cycle. Explore this opportunity and enjoy the many options they offer!

Engaging Families with Faith: Why It Is More Important Than Ever and How to Do It Well Webinar | Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.  | Register here .

Every Catechetical Church document is clear about the importance of the role of families in cultivating faith. Research is mounting about the urgency of parent involvement to effectively pass on faith from generation to generation. Yet, it remains a challenging paradigm shift in our parishes to integrate family involvement in a child’s faith formation and move toward a partnership between parents and parish.  Presenter:  Dr. Kathie Amidei is a parish pastoral associate and a catechetical consultant for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

For questions, please email the Office of Catechetical Formation.

MISCELLANEOUS

First Friday Club of Akron
William H. Considine, former President and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital | Friday, January 6, 2023 | Our Lady of Cedars, 507 South Cleveland Massillon Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333 | Registration and more information here.

First Friday Club of Cleveland
Post Roe v. Wade: PROLIFE Culture Helping Women in Unplanned and Crisis Pregnancies | Thursday, January 5, 2023 | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm | The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Ave., Cleveland OH 44114 | Registration and more information click 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.  

January Morning Prayer for Women | Monday, January 16, 2023. 9:30am - 11:00am | Sr. Mary Ann Flannery, SC | Free Will Offering. Walk-ins welcome.

Women’s Retreat - Dancing in the Dust: the Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth | Monday, January 16, 2:00pm - Thursday, January 19, 1:00pm | $350

Rosary Hall AA Men’s 12 Step Retreat | Friday, January 20, 5:30pm - Sunday, January 22, 11:30am | $225

Whole Brain Living: Science and Spirituality (Virtual Program) | Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30pm. January 23 & 30 and February 6 & 13 | Michael Reiling, M.Ed. | $40

Cinema & Conversation: Belfast | Monday, January 23, 7:00 - 9:00pm | Free Will Offering. Walk-ins welcome.

January Sabbath Days - a Personal Retreat Day | Monday, January 30, 8:30am - 3:30pm | $50

God in All Things: A Program in Celtic Christian Spirituality | Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30pm. January 30, February 6, February 13 | Liz Nau | $45

* * *

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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