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.
St. Cecilia Institute, part of the Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Academy, will be held August 5-6. Programming includes keynotes by Fr. James Chepponis and Bishop Michael Woost, breakout sessions, master classes, prayer, meals, and socials. Tuesday August 6, Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, will conclude with a “Gold Mass”, recognizing in a special way all music ministers. Even if unable to attend the rest of the institute, all musicians of the diocese – volunteer and paid, instrumental and vocal – are encouraged to attend Mass at 7:30pm where we will pray with, and for, each other. Click here for details and registration for the St. Cecilia Institute.
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 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation in the United States. Masses after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, should celebrate the Vigil of the Assumption.
University of Portland Professor Michael Prendergast announces a new three-credit course on Catholic Liturgical Music (MUS 413/591). In the Fall of 2024, it will be offered on Tuesdays from 7:10 -9:55 PM (Pacific). Participation will be available in classroom as well as over Zoom. Those who will audit are also welcome. It will explore Church documents, liturgical books, historical contexts, music repertoire, and liturgical performance. Topics will include chant, psalmody, hymnody, music for the rites, the roles of cantors and choirs, and music in multi-cultural settings. The course will feature guest lecturers. Click here for more information and to register.
Publishers are already taking orders for the new translation of Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass. First use of the new texts is September 14, 2024 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross) and mandatory use is December 1, 2024 (First Sunday of Advent).
Publishers are also taking preorders for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The OCIA texts may be used beginning the First Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2024. Mandatory use is Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. The Diocese of Cleveland will be offering workshops to assist with formation and implementation of OCIA. More details to come.
Status Animarum 2023-2024
The reporting period for the Status Animarum annual statistical report for 2023-2024 is approaching. This year the annual Status Animarum is to be submitted via an online portal. A link to access the portal will be sent to your Diocesan email account in late July. You will need to sign into the portal 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.
June 2024 Announcements
Rev. Anthony J. Simone has been appointed Administrator, Holy Redeemer Parish, Cleveland effective 31 July 2024. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Administrator, St. Jerome Parish, Cleveland.
Rev. James J. Kulway has been appointed Administrator, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Macedonia effective 15 June 2024. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Pastor, St. Barnabas Parish, Northfield. His residence remains unchanged.
Rev. Lawrence Jurcak concludes his assignment as Presbyteral Moderator, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Macedonia effective 15 June 2024. His appointment as Pastor, St. Mary Parish, Hudson remains unchanged.
Rev. Michael J. Feldtz¸ Pastor, St. Thomas More Parish, Brooklyn has been granted an authorized Leave of Absence for Sick Leave effective immediately.
Rev. G. David Bline has been appointed Administrator of St. Thomas More Parish, Brooklyn effective immediately. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Spiritual Director for Saint Mary Seminary, Wickliffe.
Rev. Edward F. Suszynski has been reappointed Pastor, Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Litchfield for a renewable six year term effective 21 May 2024.
Rev. Zachary M. Kawalec has been reappointed Pastor, Nativity of the Lord Jesus Parish, Akron for a renewable six year term effective 21 May 2024.
Rev. Ryan J. Cubera has been appointed Diocesan Assistant-Moderator for the Cleveland Retrouvaille Community effective 1 July 2024. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Pastor, St. Mary of the Falls Parish, Olmsted Falls.
Rev. Matthew M. Cortnik has been appointed Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Solon Assembly #1765 effective immediately. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Administrator, SS. Cosmas and Damian Parish, Twinsburg.
Rev. Joseph D. Menkhaus, Jr. has been appointed Chaplain to Holy Name High School, Parma effective 1 July 2024. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Parochial Vicar, St. Bernadette Parish, Westlake.
Rev. David Domanski, OFM Cap., with permission from the Very Reverend Robert Marva, OFM Cap, Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars, Province of St. Augustine, concludes his assignment as Administrator, Holy Spirit Parish, Garfield Heights and has been appointed Pastor, Holy Spirit Parish, Garfield Heights effective immediately.
Rev. Robert Tumwekwase, AJ, with permission from Rev. Augustine Idra, AJ, Regional Superior of the Apostles of Jesus, has been appointed Parochial Vicar, St. Patrick Parish, Cleveland and Parochial Vicar, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Cleveland effective 1 September 2024. He has also received permission to live at the Apostles of Jesus House in Cleveland effective 1 September 2024.
Rev. Apolinary Kavishe, AJ, with permission from Rev. Augustine Idra, AJ, Regional Superior of the Apostles of Jesus, has been appointed Parochial Vicar, Holy Family Parish, Parma effective 1 September 2024. He has also received permission to live at the Apostles of Jesus House in Cleveland effective 1 September 2024.
Rev. William O’Donnell, CPPS had been appointed Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Bishop O’Reilly Assembly 816 effective immediately. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Administrator, St. Augustine Parish, Cleveland.
Deacon David Govern concludes his assignment as Parish Life Coordinator, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Macedonia effective 15 June 2024. His appointment as Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Macedonia remains unchanged.
Deacon Michael Hayes, Jr., has been appointed Delegate for Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs for the Diocese of Cleveland effective 30 June 2024. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Deacon, St. Christopher Parish, Rocky River.
Angel Scholarship Fund
The ASF Ambassador Program has officially been supporting fundraising efforts for the Angel Scholarship Fund for a year. Ambassadors play a key role in helping educate parishioners and school families about the impact of the tax credit program. Schools with ambassadors have advanced insights on marketing opportunities and progress within the program. They are also more likely to increase their total amount of designated funding from year to year. Interested in getting involved? Reach out to Kaitlyn Novicky for more information.
2024 Catholic Charities Appeal: Transformed by your love.
Letters will be mailed to current Appeal donors the week of July 12 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 7 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. 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.
A new Divorce Ministry in Summit County will meet at St Hilary Parish in Fairlawn on Thursday evenings in September. This will be a book study group based on the book Divorced. Catholic. Now What? Registration information will soon be posted on the MFM events page.
Looking for speakers for marriage enrichment / marriage ministry at your parish, contact Terri Yohman at 216-696-6525 ext. 2322 or by email.
Be on the lookout for the Annual Compliance form. We must ensure that all clergy, staff and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults are compliant with our safe environment policies: VIRTUS training; criminal background checks; acknowledgement of Policy and Standards of Conduct. This is critical in keeping us all safe. For questions, email Sharon Minson.
Run Alpha Training|
Thursday, July 11, 10am-3pm | Center for Pastoral Leadership.
Join other churches and leaders from across the region to develop a deeper understanding of Alpha and how to get the most out of running a course in your context.
Catholic Renewal Ministries
Traveling Charismatic Mass
Friday, July 12, 7pm | Holy Family Parish, Stow
Catholic Renewal Ministries
41st Annual Conference
Saturday, July 27 | St. Albert the Great, North Royalton
Catholic Renewal Ministries
Exploring the Impact of Prayer on the Brain
Saturday, August 10, 10am-12pm | Holy Family Parish, Stow
Presentation by Dr. Jacqueline Phillips-Sabol. RSVP: 330-687-8843
Catholic Renewal Ministries
Our Lady of Angels Prayer Group
Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30pm | Our Lady of Angels (behind Linus Hall)
First Friday Club of Cleveland
Laura Bartchak Presenting Human Trafficking in Ohio and Local Efforts to Assist Victims | Thursday, July 11, 2024 | Center for Pastoral Leadership 28700 Euclid Ave. Wickliffe, OH 44092 | Registration and more information here.
Theology of the Rocks for Adults 40 & Over | Monday, July 8, 2024 | Westside Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd., Olmsted Twp. | Deacon Robin Adair | 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 © 2024
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