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Why Catholic? Meet Bishop Edward C. Malesic
Offices Chancellor Diocesan Memorandum October 2021

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Diocesan Memorandum

October, 2021 | Vol. 55, no. 10 | Prot. No. C-38/2021

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.

OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

Collections

World Mission Sunday Collection: 23-24 October 2021
World Mission Sunday this year is on the weekend of 23-24 October 2021. This is the primary weekend that awareness of the worldwide Missions is communicated to the Faithful of our parishes. Awareness of the worldwide Missions and the World Mission Sunday Collection are promoted in the materials that were sent to the parishes. This is the principal collection benefiting the almost 1,100 missionary dioceses of the world. A packet of materials, including posters and bulletin announcements, was mailed to each pastor. Additional materials may be found at www.missio.org/resources.


CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

2021 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal – a total of $12,666,400 has been raised as of 31 August.  

Solicitation Letter: During the week of 15 November, 45,000 households will be receiving a letter from Bishop Malesic asking for support of the 2021 Annual Appeal with a monetary gift. To make an immediate impact, donations can be made online at www.CatholicCommunity.org/donate.

Save the Date: The 2022 Annual Appeal will take place in all parishes Feb. 19-20 with the Follow Up Appeal on May 14-15. Email  Sarah Gozur or call 216-696-6525 x1910 with questions.

Spread the Faith Annual Appeal – supporting the Northeast Ohio Catholic Magazine

Solicitation Letter: Your gift will help us “Spread the Faith” and share the Gospel message with the faithful throughout Northeast Ohio. 25,000 households across our diocese will receive a letter from Bishop Malesic the week of 11 October asking for your support. Funds from this appeal will allow more than 235,000 households to receive the magazine free of charge, deliver the latest news of our diocese to thousands through our weekly digital newsletter, and let us acquire new technology to increase our broadcasting and live-streaming efforts and increase or social media reach. To give online go to www.CatholicCommunity.org/magazine or contact Debra Sudy at 216-696-6525 x3670.

Qualified Charitable Distributions
If you are 70 ½ 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 and 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 Jean Ann Montagna of the Catholic Community Foundation at 216-696-6525 x 8070 or visit www.catholiccommunity.org/ira.

Last chance to register for #weGiveCatholic
Be part of Northeast Ohio’s Online Day of Catholic Giving by registering your parish, school, Catholic Charities program/site or Catholic nonprofit to participate in #weGiveCatholic. Register online at www.weGiveCatholic.org before October 31. The giving day, which takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 30 is a celebration of Catholic philanthropy and will help you to raise awareness and funds for your good work.

Catholic Community Foundation Professional Advisors Seminar. Join fellow professional advisors from the legal, tax, trust, insurance, and wealth management disciplines on Thursday, November 18th (1:00-4:30 p.m. followed by cocktails/networking) at the Diocesan offices 1404 E. Ninth St.  Seminar topics include philanthropy, charitable and tax planning, and ethics for estate planners. CLE credit available. $50 registration; $25 for Catholic Lawyers Guild members. For details and to register, visit www.catholiccommunity.org/2021seminar or contact Christina Wilson at 216-696-6525 x4080.


FINANCE OFFICE

Flu Shots
All Diocese employees and their dependents are eligible to receive a flu vaccine at any CVS Pharmacy at no cost to them. Employees enrolled in one of our health plans need to simply show their CVS/Pharmacy card to their pharmacist.  Those not on our plans need to use a flu vaccine voucher.  Parishes and schools can obtain vouchers for those employees from the Benefits Office by calling (216) 696-6525, ext. 5040 or by e-mail at hbo@dioceseofcleveland.org.  Please let us know how many vouchers you need for your site and we will mail them to you. 


SECRETARIAT FOR CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS

Retirement Fund for the Religious
Please save the date of Saturday December 11 and Sunday December 12, 2021 for the Retirement Fund for Religious annual collection.  Parishes are encouraged to promote electronic giving to parishioners or donations to be mailed to the diocese office of Clergy and Religious.   These funds help communities provide for the immediate needs of their elder members, such as medications and healthcare.   Bulletin inserts and graphics for parish websites will be included in the November and December diocesan memo.


SECRETARIAT FOR PARISH LIFE AND DEVELOPMENT

Synod 2021-2023, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission”
Bishop Malesic will celebrate an Opening Liturgy for the Synod on Sunday, October 17 during the 10:30 am Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. This will kick off the diocesan phase of the three-year synodal journey of consultations and discernment, culminating with the Assembly of Bishops in October 2023 in Rome. 

A leadership team has been formed to prepare for and implement the synodal process within the diocese. Through the end of the year, all baptized Catholics will be invited participate in this process of listening, dreaming, and discerning God’s call for the Church amid the present signs of the times. The diocesan discernment will culminate in a “Pre-Synodal Meeting” early next year. For more information go to dioceseofcleveland.org/synod

Office for Hispanic Ministry

Marriage Companion Program - Sagrada Familia, October 7, 14, 21, 28 and November 4; 6pm-9pm
The Marriage Companion Program is a new marriage enrichment initiative. Thursday evenings in October, we will be offering a 5-part couple mentor training for Hispanic couples interested in serving as program facilitators. If you know of any Spanish-speaking, married couples that may be interested, please contact Misael Mayorga at 216-374-9440 or by email for more information. 

Successful Marriages Retreat - Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Cleveland, October 23, 9am-6pm and October 24, 9am-3pm
This two-day retreat for married couples and those living together is a comprehensive resource for marriages in crisis and strengthening healthy marriages and families. To register, please contact Ana Eslaquit at 216-696-6525 ext. 2530 or by email.

Instituto Emaús- Escuela de Discípulos Misioneros

Emmaus Institute- School of Missionary Disciples
October 30, 9am-4pm, Holy Name Church
A comprehensive formation program for parish volunteers to facilitate their work in ministry as group leaders and ministry coordinators. Part 3 of the biblical formation module, “Introduction to the New Testament,” will take place on October 30. Visit our website for more information or contact Misael Mayorga at 216-374-9440 or by email.

Office of Missionary Discipleship

Called By the Spirit Gifts Inventory Information Session
Thursday, October 7, 2021, 1:30 pm
Called by the Spirit is a discernment of gifts inventory that was created in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland as an accessible and adaptable resource for faith communities and individuals to use to springboard a process of discernment. Join us for this information session on Zoom. Click here for the link.

Go and Make Disciples: Cohorts Forming
Fridays, Noon, starting in October
The Office of Missionary Discipleship is creating discipleship formation cohorts that will meet for six sessions. During these sessions, we will engage small groups in prayer and formation with a focus on nurturing a relationship with Jesus Christ, collaboration opportunities, and strategic planning for forming communities of missionary disciples in your parish and region. The first five sessions will be via Zoom with an in-person luncheon for the last session. If you are interested, please email Miguel Chavez for further details.    

Office for Interfaith and Ecumenical Affairs

Sam Miller Catholic-Jewish Colloquium, Digital Presentation and Interactive Zoom Dialogue October 21, 2021 7:30 pm 
“Overcoming Hate with Compassion and Education”       
Most Holocaust history focuses on countries with strong anti-Semitic sentiment prior to WWII that enabled the destruction of their Jewish people. Much of that destruction was actually carried out by the local populations, not just the Nazis. Yet, exhibiting compassion and humanity, Italians saved most of their Jews despite pressure to comply with the Nazi plan, supported by Mussolini, to annihilate them. How did Italians rise above the atmosphere of hate?  Please join Colloquium sponsors the Anti-Defamation League, the Diocese of Cleveland Interfaith Commission and St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology for a stimulating and enlightening presentation and discussion: “Righteous Italian Gentiles —the story of thousands of Jews saved by Italian civilians and armed forces members during World War II,” presented by Dr. Maria Lombardo. Please email your request for the Zoom link to Fr. Joe Hilinski. 

The 37th Annual Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar, co-sponsored by the Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith affairs, will debut on the Notre Dame College YouTube Channel on November 1. Most Rev. John Michael Botean, bishop of the Romanian Eparchy of St. George in Canton will present this year’s seminar, ‘After the Deluge: What it will Mean to Be Church in Post-Pandemic Times.’ Find more information here or by contacting Sr. M. Karita Evancic at 440-279-9348 or by email.

Office for Human Life and Marriage and Family Ministry Office

The Offices for Marriage & Family Ministry and Human Life will offer a joint e-newsletter on behalf of our ministries and would like your input. Please click here to fill out a short survey about the prospective newsletter and to sign-up.

Updated Pre-Cana schedule, Divorce resources, and the Family Perspectives for October and November are available for download on our website

Click here for Family Perspectives.

Youth Ministry Office

CLE 21:6 - Diocesan Youth Conference
January 8, 2022, 10am-9pm, John Carroll University
CLE 21:6 is a day-long event to ignite high school teens in their faith and to gather in fellowship as the young Church.  Exploring Matthew 21:6, “The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them,” CLE 21:6 will help launch teens into following Christ and living as missionary disciples.  Tickets on sale now.  Cost is $35. 

Teens must attend with a parish or school group, and cannot buy tickets individually. Tickets can be purchased by a youth minister, campus minister, or parish group leader. (You will not need names of individuals attending until November.)  To learn more or purchase group tickets by November 15, visit our website.

Young Adult Ministry

All young people age 18-30ish are welcome to attend the October events for Young Adult Ministry:

West Side

  • Oct 3 | Browns Watch Party | St. Mark’s Church | 11:30 am Mass followed by a watch party in the parish hall. Wear your Browns gear to Mass.
  • Oct 21 | Pumpkin Carving: An evening to get ready for all things Halloween | St. Christopher’s, 6pm
  • Thursdays | The Grapevine: A young adult discussion and social group | St. Luke’s, 7 pm | @grapevine.cle

Akron

  • Oct 15 | Adoro Te Devote: Eucharistic Adoration for Young Adults | St. Bernard, 7pm

Solon Area

  • Oct 21 | Theology on Tap Chagrin Falls | Speaker TBA | Holy Angels, 7pm

Parma

  • Oct 27 | Catholic Trivia | St. Albert the Great, 7pm
  • Sundays | Catching Fire Young Adult Discussion Group | St. Columbkille, 7pm

Downtown

  • Oct 30 | Mass and regularly scheduled meeting | Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 5:30pm

For more information, including planned events for Cleveland’s East Side, Euclid, Mentor and Barberton, visit godincleveland.org.

Catholic Renewal Ministries

Forgiveness Retreat | Presented by Deacon Dave Pecot | Saturday, October 30, 2021, 9 am – 4:30 pm | St. Adalbert Berea’s Keller Center Hall | Registration fee is $20 | Reserve online via PayPal or download a mail-in registration form here. | Questions? Please call CRM at 440-944-9445.

Faithful Discipleship Series | hosted by Fr. Bob Franco on Zoom | August 31, September 29, October 20, and October 27, 7:00 pm to 8:30 p.m. |To sign-up, visit www.crmweb.org.


Secretariat for Catechetical Formation

What will Faith Formation look like in Winter 2021 and beyond?
A webinar is planned to assist parish staffs in exploring practical ways your parish community can grow and strengthen Catholic faith formation for adults.  This opportunity to plan well now will bear much fruit throughout the years to come.

“Designing Adult Faith Formation for the Post-Pandemic World” with Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP.  October 13 - 10-11:30 a.m.  Register here. 

For assistance, email Alicia Breeden or call 216-696-6525, ext. 1920.

Strengthening Our Faith Grants (Part of the Rooted in Faith – Forward in Hope 2021 Initiative)
Provides funding for innovative and effective parish faith formation programs.  Monies awarded build capacity for sacramental preparation as well as youth, young adult and adult faith formation efforts.  There is a limit of $25,000 on the amount that may be requested. 

Catechetical Media Grants (funded by the annual Matching Funds Campaign of the Ohio Knights of Columbus)

Monies awarded provide critical funding for current, media-based catechetical materials and technology for faith formation.  There is a limit of $1,000 per parish or school each year.

Applications are currently available on the diocesan website, Digital Academy or email Alicia Breeden in the Office of Catechetical Formation or call 216-696-6525 ext. 1920.


CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Disability Services & Ministries | Journey to Bethlehem Mass | Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 11:00am
Join Catholic Charities Disability Services & Ministries for the 36thAnnual Journey to Bethlehem Liturgy on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 11:00 am, with our celebrant Bishop Roger Gries.  Mass will take place at St. Augustine Parish, 2486 West 14thStreet Cleveland. This liturgy for persons with disabilities, their families and friends is a beautiful Christmas celebration, with a light luncheon following.  For information: 216-334-2962; email Marilyn Scott; or go to our website.  All are welcome.


MISCELLANEOUS

First Friday Club of Akron
Dr. Frank O’Linn, Secretary for Education and Superintendent of Schools for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland | Friday, October 1, 2021 | Our Lady of Cedars, 507 South Cleveland Massillon Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333| Registration and more information here.

Theology on the Rocks
How are we called to be Missionary Disciples? | Miguel Chavez, Director of Missionary Discipleship | Monday, October 11, 2021 | Double Tree Inn by Hilton, Westlake | Click here for more information.

Ursuline College
Ursuline College is currently offering Pastoral Ministry courses for certification in the following areas: “Foundations of Theology,” “Issues and Skills in Pastoral Care and Counseling”, and “Moral Theology” that examines the moral framework of Christian life, its constitutive elements and various approaches. Church teaching, norms and guidelines along with current issues and questions will be presented. Applications to the ministerial context will be emphasized.

Each course is $540 for two credits or $120 for audit. Pre-registration for the courses can be found by visiting: //ursuline.edu/pastoral   

Workshops/Retreats

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.  

Emmaus 2021: “Hidden Blessings” - Finding the Light | Friday, October 8, 7:00 p.m. - Saturday, October 9, 8:30 p.m. | Sister Marian Durkin, C.S.A. and planning team | $100

Writing for Your Life: Starting a Journaling Practice - A Virtual Program | Sundays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. October 10, 17, 24 and November 7 | Michael Reiling, M.Ed. | $30

Responding to Our Climate Crisis - A Virtual Program | Mondays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. October 11, 18, 25 and November 1, 8, 15 | Michael Reiling, M.Ed. | $45

Sabbath Days - Non-Directed Retreat | Friday, October 15, 5:30 p.m. - Sunday, October 17, 11:30 a.m. | $200

October Morning Prayer for Women | Monday, October 18 from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Sr. Mary Ann Flannery, SC | $10

Cinema & Conversation: The Shack | Monday, October 25 from 7:00- 9:00 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.

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