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.
Pope’s Prayer Intention for August: World Youth Day. We pray that the World Youth Day in Lisbon will help young people to live and witness the Gospel in their own lives.
August 6 and August 9 are the anniversaries of the atomic explosions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945). As these events are recalled, all are urged to continue to pray for world peace (see Household Book of Blessings, 151, 375-376).
August 2023 Liturgical Calendar Reminder - The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Please note that this solemnityis a holy day of obligation in the United States this year. Please also note that in our diocese Masses after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 14, should celebrate the Vigil of the Assumption.
Status Animarum 2022-2023
The reporting period for the Status Animarum annual statistical report for 2022-2023 is approaching. This year the annual Status Animarum is to be submitted via Microsoft Forms. A link to access the form will be sent to your Diocesan email account in late July. You will need to sign into the form via a Diocese of Cleveland email account. If you have any questions please refer them to the Status Animarum Team or 216-696-6525 ext. 2110.
2023 First Step Program
The Tribunal is pleased to be able to continue this important evangelization aspect of our ministry in order to assist those in need of a declaration of invalidity of a marriage (also referred to as annulment). We now have specially-trained ministers, called case specialists, to assist people with their cases. The participants attend the general meeting and follow-up with a case specialist to submit the case. A bulletin announcement for your convenience is included in this memo. Please remember to pass on the fact that the Tribunal no longer requests any fees for cases. The First Step Program will be held four times:
For more information call Lynette Tait at the Tribunal: 216-696-6525/800-869-6525, ext. 4000. Click here for a bulletin announcement.
Procurators and assignment changes
Please remember that even when your parish assignment changes, you remain the procurator for cases to which you have been appointed. The Tribunal will attempt to send mail to you at your new assignment. If you prefer to have the party represented by another person at your old parish, please arrange for this.
ASF Ambassadors
ASF Ambassadors is a new initiative that is being launched this year to help promote the Angel Scholarship Fund at the parish-school levels. This volunteer network will be comprised of parish and school benefactors throughout the Diocese of Cleveland, as well as members of the professional community. ASF Ambassadors will play an integral role in growing the Angel Scholarship Fund (ASF) in 2023. Please email Fred Roberts or call 216-902-1312 for assistance with recruiting ambassadors and/or creating a local outreach plan.
Letters will be mailed to current Appeal donors the week of July 10 seeking an additional gift if they are able. We are most grateful for the continuing prayers and financial support from the faithful; support that allows us to provide help, create hope, and serve all.
Catholic Charities Appeal Phonathon – Beginning July 6 and continuing thru August, calls will be made to parishioners asking for support for this year’s Appeal. For homes with caller ID, the number of the call is 216-696-6525. Last year nearly $175,000 was raised by phone. Parishes can click here for updated parish stats and bulletin announcements. Email Sarah Gozur or call 216-696-6525 x1910 with questions or for additional information.
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 email Mary Lou Ozimek or call 216-696-6525 x4070.
Parishes across the diocese took Jesus to the streets with Eucharistic Processions on June 10-11 to celebrate Corpus Christi Sunday and kick off the Parish Year of Eucharistic Revival. You will find photos and videos at facebook.com/DOCparishlife.
Ballpark Mass at Cleveland’s Historic League Park | Friday, July 28, 7 – 9 pm
Thank you to all those who supported our first Ballpark Mass at Classic Park Stadium. Join Bishop Malesic for the second Ballpark Mass at Cleveland's Historic League Park as we continue to celebrate the Eucharistic Revival. The Diocesan Gospel Choir will perform at 7:00 pm, followed by the celebration of Mass with Fr. Oscar Pratt from the Archdiocese of Boston preaching. The evening will end with a Eucharistic procession to St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima Parish at sunset.
Spend the day and join the festivities as we also celebrate the 50thanniversary of Catholic Charities' Fatima Family Center with a neighborhood block party. There will be live music, food trucks, a baseball game with local celebrities, family activities and more starting at 11 am.
Open to the public. Advance registration recommended by no later than July 21. Register here.
Synodal Listening Sessions
New resource: The listening sessions held in the diocese for the most recent Synod proved very fruitful for our communities. We have developed four new listening sessions for the Eucharistic Revival to continue the conversations that began with the Synod, under the themes of the Diocesan Revival: Gathered, Blessed, Broken and Shared. We hope this resource will help faith communities reflect on what it means to journey together as a Eucharistic people. The sessions are available in English and Spanish. You will also find a Leader's Guide with ideas for how to organize the listening sessions in your faith community. Learn more
Eucharistic Miracles
In October 2022, Ss. Cosmas and Damian Parish hosted the first Eucharistic Miracles Display. Since then, it has traveled to parishes throughout the diocese. The Eucharistic Miracles as chronicled by Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991-2006), a teenager from Italy, documents scientifically scrutinized occasions when the Holy Eucharist changed in its physical appearance, reminding us that the bread and wine of the Mass truly become the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are interested in hosting the Eucharistic Miracles Display at your parish, please fill out this form and provide at least three (3) preferred dates. The current schedule is listed on our website. Materials now in Spanish.
Sharing the Good News
As we move into the parish phase of the Eucharistic Revival, you may want to promote events beyond the parish by listing them on the diocesan website. Please use this link to submit your event. We will be creating an events page.
We also encourage you to identify a "Parish Media Rep" to take and post pictures from events, testimonials and stories during this Year of Parish Revival to your social media pages. Please use the hashtags #EucharistCLE and #eucharisticrevival so that we can see all the wonderful things that are happening in the diocese to share the love of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist with others.
The quinquennial Convocation of the National Black Catholic Congress will take place in National Harbor, MD, July 20-23, 2023. Bishop Edward C. Malesic and Auxiliary Bishop Michael G. Woost plan to be in attendance along with fifty other clergy, religious, and laity from the Diocese of Cleveland. We ask for your prayers as thousands of Black Catholics gather from across the U.S. to pray together and discern a pastoral plan for the next five years.
Thanks for all you do throughout the year to help keep children safe. This is a reminder that you should have received the Annual Compliance Form by now. Please be sure to complete the form with the pastor’s signature and email it to Debbie Morris by the deadline of July 21, 2023. Any questions, call or email Sharon Minson.
On June 16, the U.S. Bishops approved a new National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. The plan has been in the works since the four-year the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry (V Encuentro) process that culminated with a national gathering in Grapevine, Texas, in 2018. The document offers a renewed vision and mission for ministry among Latinos in the context of a culturally diverse Church.
The 135th General Assembly approved a special election to be held on August 8, 2023 for the citizens of Ohio to vote on Issue 1. Issue 1 asks voters if Ohio should “Require that any proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio receive the approval of at least 60 percent of eligible voters voting on the proposed amendment.” Raising the threshold to amend the Ohio Constitution does not have any direct moral content, therefore the bishops of Ohio are maintaining a neutral position. While not taking a position, the bishops are asking all Catholic churches in Ohio to inform parishioners about the August 8 election and encourage voter registration and participation in the special election. Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship states, “In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.”
The Knights of Columbus has volunteered to hold non-partisan voter registration drives in Ohio parishes in advance of the July 10 voter registration deadline. The Catholic Conference of Ohio has put together a 2023 Voter Registration Event Guide that outlines the USCCB guidelines for such events and highlights important dates and links for registration in Ohio. This will be used by the Knights of Columbus, but can also be implemented by volunteers at your parish if you wish to hold your own non-partisan voter registration drive.
You can verify that your voter information is up to date, or register to vote, at VoteOhio.gov. You can also request an absentee ballot or find your early in-person voting location.
Dates to be aware of:
St. Cecilia Institute | Tuesday, August 8, 2:30 pm | Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe
We want to hear from you. The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is establishing a new diocesan institute for pastoral musicians to commence in August 2024. Join us for a presentation and conversation with Bishop Malesic followed by a facilitated discussion with Fr. Damian Ference and Agnieszka Bieniek about the St. Cecilia Institute. Evening activities are optional and free, but there is a cost of $18 if you would like to stay for dinner. Register here.
Domestic Violence Awareness
Start planning for Domestic Violence Awareness month in October. Catholics for Family Peace aims to inform people about ways the Catholic community can promote family peace and prevent or respond to domestic abuse. They have many resources for parishes, as well as prayers for pastoral leaders, clergy, and parishioners to help us respond with compassion. Downloadable, customizable and printable resources can be found here.
Genesis of Gender Series & Study | Thursdays in September, 7 – 9pm
In collaboration with TOB CLE, the Office of Marriage and Family Ministry invites you into this journey of seeking the truth, beauty, and goodness of being created in the image and likeness of God. Explore and discuss with others how we live out our femininity and masculinity while deepening your relationship with Christ and His Church. This series will be based on Abigail Favale's book "The Genesis of Gender," and held simultaneously at five parishes across the diocese over the course of the four Thursdays of September from 7-9pm.
A copy of the book "The Genesis of Gender" will be distributed the first night. Register here.
National NFP Week | July 23 – 29, 2023
Natural Family Planning Awareness Week is a national educational campaign that highlights the anniversary of the papal encyclical Humanae vitae (July 25), which articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood. This year’s theme is "Marriage: One Flesh, Given and Received."
We will kick off NFP Week on Saturday, July 22 from 4 – 8pm with a family picnic sponsored by the NEO-NFP group at the Middleburg Heights City Park, Pavilion 2, 16000 Bagley Road.
To close out the week, join us at Cleveland’s Historic League Park, 6601 Lexington Avenue, for a neighborhood block party from 11 am – 7 pm as we celebrate the 50thanniversary of Catholic Charities’ Fatima Family Center. Bishop Malesic will preside at the 2ndEucharistic Revival Ballpark Mass, which will begin following a concert by the Diocesan Gospel Choir at 7 pm. Register here.
Follow @marriageandfamilycle for more updates. Please reach out to Maria with any questions.
Catholic Bridge Builders Workshop | Wednesday, August 9, 8am-4pm | Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe|
An exciting opportunity to engage those who have first contact with new parishioners and the community at large. Join us for a day of reflection on our own personal relationship with Jesus, and how that directs us in our relationship with others. A variety of topics will be covered from spiritual to practical including sacred listening, serving like Jesus, and sacramental records. Register now to be part of a new view of “front-line” worker as minister and evangelizer. For questions contact Christy Cabaniss. Go to Parish Life events to register.
Retreat for Evangelization & Stewardship Ministers | Wednesday, August 16, 9am-5pm
Trilogy Retreat Property, Southington OH
Trilogy Retreat Property will host a retreat day titled "Finding Jesus in the Eucharist." Greg Wasinski, speaker and author, will lead us in this chance to restore our souls while reflecting more deeply on who we become through the Eucharist. Our time together will support us in our efforts to live our vocation in the Church as we help others see the beauty of the Eucharist. Please email Jennifer Webb or Christy Cabaniss with any questions. Register here.
Monthly Meetings for Evangelization & Stewardship Ministry | Thursday, July 20, 1:00 pm
The Parish Staff Networking Group is a gathering of those serving our parishes in the ministries of evangelization and stewardship. We are gathering online on the third Thursday of each month. If you would like to be part of this meeting, please contact Christy Cabaniss.
Blessed Carlo Institute for Youth Ministers | August 8-11, 2023 | Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe
Register for our second year of this adventure to form and equip youth ministers. This four-day, three-night institute will include classes on Scripture, Patristics, and Christian Spirituality, and workshops on Responding to Teens in Crisis, Seeking the Lost, and Leadership in Ministry. Learn more and register here.
Pastor & Youth Minister Gathering | September 19, 10am-2pm | St. Basil the Great Parish, Brecksville
Clergy and youth ministers are invited to this day to kick off the new youth ministry year. Bishop Woost, Katie Prejean McGrady, and others will unpack how to foster a love for the Eucharist with teens and implement the Eucharistic Revival in youth ministry. Katie is a former youth minister, speaker, author, podcaster, and daily radio show host and will be joining us from Lake Charles, LA. Register here.
Softball League | Sundays starting June 25, 12:45 pm – 7 pm | Seven Hills Recreation Center, Parma
Registration to play is now closed but come out and root on your favorite young adult team. Check out the schedule.
Theology on Tap East & West have taken a break for the summer but will return in September.
Embrace Grace Formation Day
A Formation Day for parish catechists and volunteers, as well as Catholic school faculty and staff, will be hosted by the Office of Catechetical Formation on Saturday, August 12, 2023 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Lake Catholic High School in Mentor. Sr. Patricia McCormack, IHM, Ed.D., Program Director of the IHM Office of Formative Support for Parents and Teachers in Philadelphia, PA, will be the keynote speaker, followed by two rounds of workshops on various topics. The theme for the day is “Embrace Grace!” For further information email Alicia Breeden or call 216-696-6525 ext. 1920.
Catholic Charities Summit County
Looking for a fun-filled summer camp experience for children with disabilities? Look no further than Sumfun at Camp Christopher. With open spots available for new campers aged 5-21, this camp offers a wide range of activities including swimming, arts and crafts, games, and more. Campers will have the opportunity to interact with their counselors and peers, creating lasting memories and friendships. Don't miss out on this amazing summer adventure tailored for children with disabilities. Sign up today at campchris.org
First Friday Club of Cleveland
Fr. Andy Turner, New Rector of Borromeo & Saint Mary Seminaries | Thursday, August 3, 2023 at Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary - Center for Pastoral Leadership (new location) | Registration and more information 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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