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.
Diocesan Marriage Policy Update: A Catechumenal Approach to Marriage Formation
Bishop Malesic has legislated that a catechumenal approach to marriage centered on the Lord’s call to mission will be adopted in the Diocese of Cleveland, encompassing formation, vocational awareness and accompaniment through all its stages.
The Office of Marriage and Family Ministry will provide ongoing support, guidance, and development of resources to assist with preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony and to support marriage ministries throughout the diocese. Clergy, parish staff, and ministry leaders are encouraged to review the updated policy and begin considering how it will inform local marriage preparation processes and pastoral accompaniment. Additional guidance and resources will be shared as they become available. Terri Yohman and Joe Mikolajczyk are available for questions or assistance.
Upcoming Liturgy of the Hours Publication
Two publishers have been chosen to print the four volumes of the Liturgy of the Hours, and the publishers may begin to accept pre-orders from July 1, 2026. Click here for Ascension Press or here for Word on Fire to pre-order. The first volume published will be Volume II (Lent and Easter), which may be used starting with Ash Wednesday. Subsequent volumes will be shipped approximately a month prior to use (i.e., Volume III will ship approximately a month prior to Pentecost). Mandatory use of the new translation of Liturgy of the Hours is the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2028.
August 2026 Liturgical Calendar Reminders:
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 Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers 151, 375-376).
August 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is not a holy day of obligation this year. Because of the ranking of the Table of Liturgical Days, Masses after 4:00pm on Saturday August 15 celebrate Assumption, not the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Masses on Sunday August 16 are for 20 the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. On August 15, where customary, or on another appropriate day, the produce of fields, gardens, and orchards may be blessed. For the Blessing on the Occasion of Thanksgiving for the Harvest, see Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, 153, 312-314.
Status Animarum 2025-2026
The reporting period for the Status Animarum annual statistical report for 2025-2026 is approaching. The annual Status Animarum is to be submitted via the same online portal first used for the 2023-2024 Status Animarum. A link to access the portal will be sent to the diocesan email accounts of parishes, pastors (including administrators and parish life coordinators), and business managers in early August. 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.
Vendors of goods from the Holy Land: update
Bishop Malesic has granted permission to the following additional vendor to sell religious articles from the Holy Land at the Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland: Mrs. Wafa AlSahouri of The Shepherd and the Lost Sheep, LLC, 5288 Redwood Court, Grand Blanc, MI 48439.
This is in addition to the following vendors already approved through February 20, 2027: Mrs. Suhair Musleh of Holy Land Gifts, Warren, OH; Mr. Mousa Rishmawi of Jerusalem Gifts, Saginaw MI; Mr. Roni Salsa of Land of Peace, Inc., Sterling Hts., MI; Mr. Martin Samir Zablah of Three Kings Bethlehem, Oswego, NY; Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim Abufarha of Holy Land Shepherds, Grand Blanc, MI. As always, pastors are free to choose whether or not to permit one of the above vendors to display and sell articles at your parish.
Angel Scholarship Fund (ASF)
Congratulations to our schools for surpassing $10 million in total ASF donations in the 2025 tax year. This represents a 22% increase vs. 2024; we look forward to continued growth in 2026 and beyond.
Key dates:
2026 Catholic Charities Appeal: “Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.” Letters will be mailed to current Appeal donors during the week of July 14seeking an additional gift if they are able to give one.
Due to the renovations at the Cathedral, our Faithful Apostles Mass will be moving to February. More details to come.
Qualified Charitable Distributions bulletin announcement If you are 70½ 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 or 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 XX in our parish office at XXX-XXX-XXXX or Moira Wopershall of the Catholic Community Foundation at 216-696-6525 x 8070 or visit www.catholiccommunity.org/ira.
June 2026 Announcements
Rev. Joseph G. Seebauer has been appointed Administrator of St. Rita Parish, Solon, effective 12 June 2026 and concluding 26 November 2026 while the Reverend Thomas J. Behrend, Pastor of St. Rita Parish, Solon, is on sabbatical. This is in addition to his assignment as Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Bedford, and his residence remains unchanged.
Rev. Joseph G. Workman concludes his appointment as Parochial Vicar of St. John Bosco Parish, Parma Heights, and has been appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Wadsworth, and Pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Doylestown, effective 1 July 2026.
Rev. Lawrence Jurcak, Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Hudson, has had his appointment as Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Hudson, renewed for a six-year period.
Rev. Matthew E. Pfeiffer, Pastor of St. Paul Parish, Akron, has had his appointment as Pastor of St. Paul Parish, Akron, renewed for a six-year period.
Rev. David M. Verbsky concludes his appointment as Chaplain to the University of Akron effective 1 July 2026. His current assignments as Parochial Vicar of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Medina, and as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady Help of Christians, Litchfield, remain unchanged.
Rev. Michael F. Garvin has been appointed to serve as Chaplain to Holy Name High School, Parma Heights, effective 1 July 2026. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Parochial Vicar of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Parma.
Rev. James Jonathan Hawkins has been appointed to serve as Chaplain to the University of Akron, effective 1 July 2026. This appointment is in addition to his assignment as Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Parish, Stow.
Rev. Joseph D. Menkhaus, Jr. will conclude his appointment as Chaplain to Holy Name High School, Parma Heights, effective 1 July 2026.
Rev. Walter H. Jenne has been elected as a Senior Priest member of the Presbyteral Council and will serve on Presbyteral Council from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2031.
Rev. Paul J. Rosing has been re-elected as a Senior Priest member of the Presbyteral Council and will serve on Presbyteral Council from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2031.
Dcn. Larry D. Gregg concludes his diaconal assignment at St. Raphael Parish, Bay Village, and has been granted retirement status as a deacon of the Diocese of Cleveland effective 1 August 2026.
Dcn. Ryan C. Birjoo, S.J., with permission of the Very Reverend Karl J. Kiser, SJ, Provincial Superior of the USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus, has been appointed to serve as Campus Minister at John Carroll University in University Heights, with residence at Schell House, University Heights, effective 1 August 2026.
Be on the lookout for the Annual Audit 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. The Compliance Form is mailed to all parishes and is available on our website. Please return form by July 31, 2026, to childprotection@dioceseofcleveland.org; or Bridget O’Hara; or mail to diocesan offices downtown. Please call or email Sharon Minson with questions: 216-696-6525 x1157.
Friday, July 24, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Alpha – Building Cultures of Evangelization | for parish leaders
Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe
Join parish leaders from across our diocese as we reflect on the current realities of our parishes and explore how prayer and intentional culture shifts can create environments where the Gospel is encountered in these Apostolic times. This gathering proposes values that help move beyond sterile Christendom models and into greater openness to where the Holy Spirit is moving today. Please click this link for more information about Alpha.
Saturday, July 25, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Alpha National Training Lab | for all interested
Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe
Join Alpha USA for a one-day, interactive training to help you launch and grow Alpha in your parish or ministry. Open to all experience levels.
Wednesday, July 29, 6:00 pm
West-side Wednesdays | for young adults
Mass at Our Lady of Angels (Kamms Corner) followed by dinner at PJ McIntyre’s. Stay connected, meet new people, and continue growing in faith throughout the summer months.
Monday, August 3 - Thursday, August 6
Saint Carlo Institute – Summer Session | for all who work with youth in grades 6-12
Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe
A four-day, three-night experience of formation that includes classes, ministry workshops, off-campus excursions, daily Mass, and more. Find class and workshop details and register here.
Saturday, August 22, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
Formation Day | for catechists and Catholic school teachers
St. Christopher Parish, Rocky River
Morning of prayer and workshops on catechetical approaches to forming young people in faith. Registration coming soon.
Wednesday, August 26, 6:00 pm
West-side Wednesdays | for young adults
Mass at St. John Cantius (Tremont) followed by dinner at Barrio.
First Friday Club of Cleveland
Sr. Rita Mary Harwood, SND and Gina Perez - “Immigration: Our Call to Service”
Thursday, July 2, 2026 | Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, OH 44092 | Registration and more information can be found here.
Theology of the Rocks for Adults 40 & Over | Monday, July 13, 2026 | Westside Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd., Olmsted Twp. | Angels in the Bible Fr. George Smiga, STD, & author | 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 © 2026
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