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.
Catholic University Collection | 18-19 January 2025
The Catholic University of America is the national 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 | 25-26 January 2025
The Latin American Collection will take place on 25-26 January 2025. 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.
In January, the Office for Worship will be contacting parishes regarding registration for the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion on Sunday, March 9 at Public Auditorium. Participation in the Rite of Election is not optional for adult catechumens.
All who are considering updates or renovations in the next year are kindly reminded that the bishop’s permission is required for any updates to the sanctuary, changes in location of the tabernacle, or renovations that will have an impact on worship. You must submit a letter to Bishop Malesic requesting permission, and also contact Mary Hrich in the Office for Worship to arrange a site visit.
This is a gentle reminder that any parishes or institutions who print music in worship aids or stream liturgy must abide by copyright law and maintain proper licensing. Click here for more details about copyright and music. Contact Tom Fielding at the Cathedral or Mary Hrich in the Office for Worship with any questions.
February 2025 Liturgical Calendar
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is Sunday, February 2, 2025. 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 is celebrated in the Church on Sunday, February 2, 2025. 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 Monday, February 3, 2025. 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 Saturday, February 8. Resources are available through the USCCB here.
On Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 17, a prayer written by Archbishop John Carroll may be used prior to grace before meals or at the conclusion of dinner. See Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, revised edition, 172.
December 2024 Announcements
Rev. Joseph R. Mamich has been appointed Administrator of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland effective 13 January 2025. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Secretary and Vicar for Clergy and Religious.
Rev. Thomas W. Johns has been appointed Administrator, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Mentor effective 1 January 2025. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Pastor, St. John Vianney Parish, Mentor.
Rev. Joshua F. Trefney concludes his appointment as Parochial Vicar, St. Gabriel Parish, Concord Township and has been appointed Administrator, St. Gabriel Parish, Concord Township effective 30 June 2025.
Rev. G. Michael Williamson has been appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Tallmadge effective 15 January 2025. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Akron. His residence remains unchanged.
Rev. Jeffrey Weaver has concluded his status of Awaiting Assignment and has been given the status of No Assignment effective 23 November 2024.
Rev. Peter Paul Ibeagha has been appointed Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Lakewood Council #2643 effective immediately. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Catholic Chaplain, Fairview Hospital, Cleveland.
Deacon John A. Talerico, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Parma diaconal assignment has been concluded and has been granted retirement status effective 15 November 2024.
New Case Specialist Training
To help your parishioners who are seeking an annulment or are responding to a petition, please sign up to be trained as a case specialist this May/June. All priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers are invited to be trained for this ministry, and all parishes are encouraged to have at least one trained staff member. For more details and to register, click here. If you have additional questions, please contact Fr. Adam Zajac.
Scholarship Changes for 2025
Fund A Dream - Schools should recommend potential Fund A Dream scholarship awardees, both new applicants and those who received a scholarship in 2024. Recommendations will be submitted via a single online form that needs to be received between January 15-March 15, 2025. While school families no longer directly apply, they do need to sign an attestation in order to be eligible for the $2,500 scholarship. Signed attestations should be forwarded all together, from the school, to Kaitlyn Novicky, by March 15th. Call 216-696-6525, ext. 1680 for more information.
Angel Scholarship Fund - Schools will be provided with an online ASF application form that needs to be signed and submitted for each student that the school recommends for an Angel Scholarship in 2025. Contact Dene Hummon at 216-696-6525, ext. 4150 for more information.
2025 Catholic Charities Appeal kicks off in January with the theme “make me a channel of your peace.” During the week beginning January 27, 2025, over 100,000 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 $15.3 million and is needed to continue to serve nearly 400,000 people in need. Donations can be made online or by texting CCHOPE to 41444.
#weGIVECATHOLIC. The Catholic Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the incredible success of #weGIVECATHOLIC on Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024. This year, 244 Catholic parishes, schools, Catholic Charities sites, and nonprofits, raised over $4.1 million to support their organizations. In the nine years the CCF conducted #weGIVECATHOLIC, organizations across the Diocese of Cleveland have raised over $20 million. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this record-breaking day a testament to the power of faith and community.
The Cleveland Guild of the Catholic Medical Association
The Cleveland Guild of the Catholic Medical Association will be sponsoring a conference entitled, “Innovation in Healthcare: The Necessity of Contemplation and Mercy” on Saturday February 22, 2025, at St. Albert the Great Parish Life Center. Bishop Martin Amos will celebrate the opening conference Mass at 8 AM. Please see this flyer for details about the conference and for registration which will include both in-person and virtual options.
Click here to register or for online registration assistance, please contact Debra Sudy, 216-696-6525 x 3670. For questions about the conference, call 216-312-4172. Healthcare professionals may obtain medical education credits this year, and the conference is also open to anyone interested who is not in healthcare.
Ohio Minimum Wage for 2025
Ohio’s minimum wage is scheduled to increase from $10.45 to $10.70 per hour for non-tipped employees on January 1, 2025. Please download the new poster and display it with your other labor law posters: DICO_2025_MW_Poster.pdf.
Check here to make sure all of your labor law posters are up-to-date. Contact Donna Speagle, Human Resources, at (216) 696-6525, ext. 8760 with any questions.
INITIATIVES
Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
It is our hope that the Jubilee Year of Hope proclaimed by Pope Francis, which began on 29 December 2024 will touch the hearts of the faithful throughout the Diocese of Cleveland. Please visit our website, dioceseofcleveland.org/JubileeCLE, for information about the Jubilee and diocesan pilgrimage sites, how you can gain indulgences, upcoming events, and resources for pastoral leaders.
Beautiful Eucharist Books Available
This book from Dynamic Catholic Institute is a collection of reflections about Jesus truly present in the Eucharist and wonderfully present in our lives. Father Mike Schmitz, Peter Kreeft, Lisa Hendey, Matthew Kelly, Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Bishop Fulton Sheen, Sister Helena Burns, Allen Hunt, Matt Warner and others have each contributed deeply personal reflections. The Parish Life Secretariat received a donation of these books for distribution to parishes for no charge. You may request up to 6 boxes for your parish by filling out the form here.
Save the Dates: Regional Eucharistic Congresses
Returning from the National Eucharistic Congress, our Diocesan Delegates were brimming with hope and excitement. Our hope is to bring a little piece of the national Congress home to Cleveland in five “mini” Congresses during the Lenten season. Please mark your calendars and visit our website for more information.
Diocesan Day of Service
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Year of Mission and the Jubilee Year of Hope, to share our Christian hope with every person we encounter, because we are loved into action through the Eucharist. We are looking to engage all Catholics in this diocesan-wide Day of Service on Saturday, April 5, 2025, as Eucharistic Missionaries and Pilgrims of Hope in the world. People of all ages are encouraged to participate in service activities in their local community as individuals, families, and parish or school groups.
For more information, please visit dioceseofcleveland.org/eucharist and click on “Year of Mission”.
National Marriage Week 2025
Join us in celebrating National Marriage Week from February 7-14. The theme this year is: “Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal. Pursue a Lasting Love!”. The USCCB (For Your Marriage) puts out homily helps, Lectio Divina resources, flyers and a take home retreat for couples.
Find more information and resources here.
EVENTS
Office of Black Catholic Ministry
MLK Day Liturgy
Monday, January 20, 10:00am | Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland
Office of Interfaith Affairs
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Ecumenical Worship
Thursday, January 23, 7:00pm | Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brecksville
Office of Lay Ecclesial Ministry
Called by the Spirit: Day of Reflection
Saturday, January 25, 8:30am-2:30pm | Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe
Office of Marriage & Family Ministry
Embracing Holy Intimacy: Including God in Your Marriage
Saturday, February 1, 4-8:00pm | St. Hilary Parish, Fairlawn
Office of Marriage & Family Ministry
Pursuing a Lasting Love 2025: Cleveland’s Celebration of Marriages
Saturday, February 1, 5-11:00pm | St. Noel Parish, Willoughby
Office of Youth Ministry
Desert Day Youth Minister Retreat
Tuesday, February 18, 9:00am-5:30pm | Jesuit Retreat Center, Parma
A quiet day for those who work with teens to spend with Jesus and refresh their souls.
Office of Youth Ministry
High School Campus Minister Gathering
Thursday, February 20, 8:30am-10:30am | Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron
Office of Youth Ministry
Youth Minister Date Night
Friday, February 21, 6:30pm-9:00pm | St. Joseph Parish, Avon Lake
Youth Ministers and their spouses or significant others are invited to a cooking class with Fr. Ron Wearsch. Join us for this evening of joyful community and food with others who get it.
Office of Young Adult Ministry
Ignite Young Adult Conference
Saturday, February 22, 9:00am-9:00pm | St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland
Office of Lay Ecclesial Ministry
Marriage Catechumenate
Saturday, February 22, 10:00am-12:00pm | Center for Pastoral Leadership, Aula
First Friday Club of Cleveland
Peter Range, Senior Fellow at the Center for Christian Virtue | Thursday, January 9, 2025 | Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, OH 44092 | Registration and more information can found here.
First Friday Club of Greater Akron
Rocco Galizio, Headmaster and Founder of the Chesterton Academy of Akron | Friday, January 10, 2025 | Our Lady of Cedars, 507 South Cleveland Massillon Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333 | Registration and more information can found here.
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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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