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.
Updated Sabbatical Policy for Priests of the Diocese of Cleveland
Bishop Malesic has established a new policy regarding priest sabbaticals [477/2021], replacing the 1987 policy [560/1987]. Principal changes include an increase in the amount a priest can save per year towards a future sabbatical, and updates to the terminology of the policy to reflect changed names of offices. The new policy can be downloaded here.
Collection for the Holy Father
Each year, the annual Peter’s Pence Collection in support of the works of the Holy Father is held in parishes across the country. The proceeds from this collection fund emergency-relief assistance to those throughout the world who suffer from war, oppression, and natural disasters. When we contribute to this fund, we are actively living the truth in love and speaking the truth in deeds. This year’s Collection is scheduled for the weekend of 26-27 June 2021. Bulletin inserts and announcements can be found here.
July 2021 Liturgical Calendar Reminders:
Sunday, July 4 is the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the liturgical celebration of Independence Day is omitted this year. Independence Day may be appropriately acknowledged in the Homily, Universal Prayer, and hymns during the Sunday liturgy.
July 22 is the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Proper orations for St. Mary Magdalene are used, with white vestments. The Gloria is sung. Readings are Proper (LECT # 603). The newly approved English translation of the Proper Preface for the Apostle to the Apostles is found on the USCCB website.
The July 29 Memorial of Saint Martha has been expanded to become the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus. An interim Mass formulary has been posted online, available as a free PDF download in both English and Spanish. Indications given in the Lectionary for Mass for July 29 remain the same, and other texts in the Liturgy of the Hours may be supplied by the Common of Holy Men until the approval and implementation of new proper texts that include Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus together.
DECEMBER 2021 Liturgical Calendar Notes:
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on Wednesday, December 8, and is a holy day of obligation. Vigil Masses for the Solemnity are celebrated after 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7.
Sunday, December 12 is the Third Sunday of Advent, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is omitted this year. Our Lady of Guadalupe may be appropriately honored in the Homily, Universal Prayer, and hymns during the Sunday liturgy. If pastoral advantage calls for it (cf. GIRM, no. 376), a Votive Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe may be celebrated on a weekday before or after December 12, with the proper readings and prayers.
From the March-April 2021 BCDW Newsletter:
This year, the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) falls on a Saturday and is immediately followed on Sunday by the Feast of the Holy Family. In the case of Christmas and Holy Family, both are days of precept (the latter because it falls on a Sunday), but Christmas occupies a higher place on the Table of Liturgical Days. Therefore, on the evening of Saturday, December 25, the Nativity Mass during the Day is celebrated with its accompanying readings from the Lectionary, and Evening Prayer II is prayed.
On days such as these, there are also questions regarding the fulfillment of the obligation to attend Mass. The prevailing view of many canon lawyers is that each obligation (in this case, one for Christmas and another for Holy Family) must be fulfilled with a separate Mass. The fulfillment of the Mass obligation does not depend upon the Mass prayers and readings but rather on the time of day at which one attends Mass. According to canon 1248 §1, “A person who assists at a Mass celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the feast day itself or in the evening of the preceding day satisfies the obligation of participating in the Mass.” Evening is commonly understood to begin at 4:00 PM, the earliest time permitted for anticipated Masses by Venerable Pope Pius XII in his 1953 Apostolic Constitution Christus Dominus. The following chart may be helpful:
Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Obligation may be fulfilled from the evening of Friday, December 24 through Saturday, December 25. For example, one may attend:
Holy Family
Obligation may be fulfilled from the evening of Saturday, December 25 through Sunday, December 26. For example, one may attend:
The situation with the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God on Saturday, January 1, 2022 is more straightforward. In the United States, the obligation to attend Mass on the Solemnity of Mary is abrogated when this celebration occurs on a Monday or a Saturday. In this case, because the Solemnity occurs on a Saturday, the Vigil Mass of the Epiphany is celebrated and Evening Prayer I of the Epiphany is prayed at the Liturgy of the Hours. While one is not required to anticipate a Mass on the preceding evening of a Sunday or feast of precept, the Vigil Mass of the Epiphany is not an anticipated Mass but a Vigil. According to the Universal Norms of the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, “Some Solemnities are also endowed with their own Vigil Mass, which is to be used on the evening of the preceding day, if an evening Mass is celebrated” (no. 11).
The Sacred Act of Recording History | Wednesday, July 14, 2021 1:00-4:00pm
The OOFC in collaboration with the Chancery, Archives and Tribunal is offering an afternoon workshop for all priests, deacons, Lay Ecclesial Ministers, Parish Secretaries and anyone involved in the recording of Sacraments as well as preserving Church records. This afternoon workshop is framed in the perspective that every record kept is a moment of history for the life of the Church. Every Christian has a right to the Sacraments of the Church and as such, it is our sacred duty to record in such a way that the sacramental life might be able to move forward. Topics inclide why we record, securing, preserving and the important question of changes to records. RCIA record keeping, who has a right to the Sacrament Record as well as looking at what a parish might want to preserve in order to establish a parish archives will be discussed.
St. Basil the Great Parish 8700 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, OH 44141 will host our day which will run from 1:00-4:00 p.m. This workshop is FREE. Click here to register for this workshop or call 440-943-7474 (Office of Ongoing Formation for Clergy) to sign up. We will also be offering this workshop by Zoom if you cannot be physically present.
2021 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal
Love Your Neighbor – Catholic Charities continues its work on the front lines to serve the growing number of individuals and families most in need. The Appeal is blessed to have raised nearly $11 million dollars as of 30 April this year but the number of donors has slipped by over 5,000 donors compared to last year at this time.
June kicks off our Mental Health and Addiction Services Campaign with a $100,000 Match. All gifts made online, 1-30 June, will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000. All funds raised this month will be invested in expanding treatment opportunities in every county of our diocese through a central intake number that connects anyone, regardless of where they live, to telemedicine services for treatment and counseling. Click here for more information about how the pandemic has affected the mental illness of people throughout northeast Ohio.
Parishes can go to www.CatholicCommunity.org/parishmaterials for updated parish statistics and bulletin announcements. Contact Sarah Yantek 216-696-6525 x1049 with questions or for additional information.
Applications for the Sandra S. and Thomas C. Sullivan Foundation are due by 15 July. More information and application can be found here.
BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS!
Although things seem to be relaxing, please remain vigilant identifying fraudulent unemployment claims. If you receive a request from ACR or ODJFS to provide personal information for a current employee that did not file for Unemployment, please respond, “Claimant has not applied for any unemployment benefits, FRAUD”, and forward immediately to Cathy Slezak at ACR, or call 216-731-8215, and copy Kathy Pierce.
Fair and Festival Season Reminder
Please remember to obtain Special Events Liability Insurance as needed and have all contracts for vendors approved by the Diocesan Legal Office. Questions can be directed to Kathy Pierce or Chris Easton in the Insurance Office or call (216) 696-6525 ext. 3400 or Brian Heskamp in the Diocesean Legal office or call (216) 696-6525 ext. 4370.
All entities should now have access to the Manager Self-Serve (MSS) portal. The monthly health and pension invoices will be available around the 1stof each month. Monthly invoices will no longer be sent via U.S. mail or e-mail. The remittance process remains unchanged. For questions, password resets, or general help with navigating the site, please contact Paul Hudak.
Employment Opportunity
The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Department of Communications is looking for a dynamic and creative multimedia communications specialist whose primary function is to contribute to the Department of Communications in creating digital, electronic and text content for the various communications platforms for the diocese including but not limited to its website, social media and video/audio communications. Click here for more information and to apply.
Sidewalk Advocates for Life - Cleveland's June Training at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church | Saturday, June 19, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Click here to register
Sidewalk Advocates is a peaceful, prayerful, loving and law-abiding sidewalk outreach at abortion clinics redirecting to life-giving alternatives, thereby ending abortion. This program uses a Christ-like compassionate, woman-oriented method to save lives and help women in unplanned pregnancies by offering them life-affirming options and real help.
With a Father’s Heart: A Retreat for Men - All men are invited to join. Saturday, June 19, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. As we near Father’s Day, join Miguel Chavez, Director of the Office of Missionary Discipleship, for a time of prayer and reflection on the importance of the role of father figures in families. With a Father’s Heart is inspired by Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde and is meant for all men as paternal influencers. Join us in this virtual time of prayer, reflection, storytelling and enrichment. Please register on our website and you will receive a Zoom link to join. If you have any questions, please contact Miguel by email.
Spiritual retreat for Hispanic ministry lay leaders at St. John Bosco in Parma Heights on June 26, 2021 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.. Cost: $10. Lunch will be provided.
Advisory Committee Meeting via Zoom: June 28, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The committee will discuss pastoral resources and activities for the year.
For more information about these events, please contact Misael Mayorga at 216-374-9440 or by email.
Retreat: Friday, July 16, 7 p.m. to Saturday, July 17, 7 p.m. ‘Gathering in the Garden of Our Lord’ with Lisa Radey, Pastoral Associate. This retreat will explore the themes of living the abundant life with Christ, what to do with the “weeds” and fostering “quiet” growth. This past year has brought unprecedented challenges as well as abundant joyful moments, wrapped up in our experiences within the pandemic. Much to grieve, much to celebrate and give thanks to God for. Lay ministers and parish staff are invited to participate:
Register here. Scholarships are available. Contact the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Office with questions or for scholarship information at 440-943-7670 or by email.
We continue to celebrate the Year of the Family. Here are a few resources for June and July:
Father’s Day Blessing: On Sunday, June 20, we celebrate Father’s Day. We encourage families to pray the order of blessings for celebrating Father’s Day in households. Available for download here.
Prayer for World Refugee Day: The United Nations has set aside Sunday, June 20 as World Refugee Day. We remember and pray for those families experiencing life as refugees. A special prayer for refugees and refugee families, appropriate for use in both households and at Mass, is available here.
Blessing for Grandparents & the Elderly: New this year, Pope Francis has announced that we will celebrate World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on the fourth Sunday of July, near to the July 26 liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne. Special prayer resources for our grandparents and the elderly are available on our website.
Natural Family Planning Week 2021: Join us as we celebrate NFP Week on July 25-31, with the theme “To Have, To Hold, To Honor”. A link to resources from the USCCB including social media posts, bulletin inserts, and posters are available in both English and Spanish here.
Additional resources for the Year of the Family are available on our website.
The Diocesan Young Adult Office is co-sponsoring several events with the regional pod ministries in June.
June 10: Downtown Pod - Theology on Tap at St Peter’s Church, 1729 Superior Ave, Cleveland at 7PM. Fr. Casey Cole, OFM, host of “Breaking in the Habit” on YouTube, will offer a Theology on Tap evening on Divisions in the Church. A social hour will follow at 8pm. All participants will receive his latest book, Let Go: 7 Stumbling Blocks to Christian Discipleship.
June 12: Western Suburbs Pod - at St. Christopher’s Church, 20141 Detroit Road, Rocky River following the 5PM Vigil Mass in Centennial Park (adjacent to the parish), Young Adults will gather for BBQ and Brews along with fun outdoor games. RSVPs helpful: lfeldkamp@stchrisparish.com
June 30: Parma Area Pod - at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 5891 Ridge Road, Parma.
Join Bishop Malesic for Mass at 7PM followed by his talk on “Faith in a Post-COVID World for Young Adults.” A catered meal will also be provided.
Parishes wishing to join or form a “Young Adult Ministry Pod” for a Fall Launch, please contact Mike Hayes, Director of Young Adult Ministry by email. Pods are collaborative groups of 4 parishes that work together on a regional young adult ministry initiative.
All are invited to our 38th Annual Summer Conference, Saturday, July 10, 2021, 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. at SS. Cosmas & Damian Parish’s Twinhaven Reception Center. The theme is “Give New Signs, Work New Wonders”. Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 4:00. Featured speakers will be Ralph Martin and Peter Herbeck from Renewal Ministries, Fr. Michael Stalla and Fr. Bob Franco. Matt Fafrak will lead contemporary praise music. Social distancing limits attendance to 125 onsite; online access is also planned. Onsite registration is $35 and includes a boxed lunch. The onsite registration form must be postmarked by Saturday, July 3rd, or your PayPal registration completed by that date. There will be no registration at the door. Visit the CRM website for more information, registration, and information about online access when it’s posted. Come, experience the healing power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
What will Faith Formation look like in Fall 2021 and beyond?
Webinars have been planned to assist parish staffs in exploring practical ways your parish community can grow and strengthen Catholic faith formation for children, families, teens and adults. This opportunity to plan well now will bear much fruit throughout the years to come by recovering and discovering best practices to use moving forward.
“Designing Hybrid Faith Formation for the Post-Pandemic World” with John Roberto | June 2, 2021 - 10-11:30 a.m. | Click here to register
“Building Community and Relationships in the Post-Pandemic World” with Jane Angha | June 23, 2021 - 10-11:30 a.m. | Click here to register.
For assistance, email Alicia Breeden or call 216-696-6525, ext. 1920.
Rosary for the Sanctification of Priests | June 11 | Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
For the past several years in our Diocese, we have participated in the Annual Rosary Relay for the Sanctification of Priests on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This Rosary Relay is a global event with the holy rosary being prayed for 24 hours at designated locations around the world. Our rosary is scheduled for Friday, June 11, 2021 at Noon. It will be held at Our Lady Lourdes Shrine in Euclid, Ohio outside in the Grotto. This event is sponsored by Worldpriest and it is an outreach activity for the Marian Movement of Priests Cenacle at St. Clare Parish in Lyndhurst and the Avilas of the Diocese of Cleveland. The rosary will be aired at that time on AM1260 the Rock. Information is available at the following websites, or call Virginia at 440-473-6107.
Worldpriest https://www.worldpriest.com/
Marian Movement of Priests https://mmp-usa.net/
Avilas of the Diocese of Cleveland https://avilascleveland.weebly.com/
First Friday Club of Cleveland
The Power of Healing Prayer – Presented by: Mary Beth Garvin, Michael Ragon and John Smith | Thursday, June 3, 2021 | Live Webinar begins at Noon via Zoom | Registration and more information here.
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.
Creative Expression for Spiritual Growth | Friday, June 11, 5:30 p.m. - Saturday, June 12, 4:30 p.m. | Sr. Mary Ann Flannery, SC and Barbara Hubbell | $135 (includes $25 art supplies fee)
Walking the Sacred Path | Sunday, June 20, 3:00 - 10:00 p.m. | FREE
June Morning Prayer for Women | Monday, June 21, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Sr. Mary Ann Flannery, S.C. | $10
Cinema & Conversation: Nomadland | Monday, June 28, 7:00 p.m. | Free Will Offering.
* * *
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
Subscribe! Sign up to receive news & updates.
1 of 22