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.
Annual Evening of Confession to be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2023
The Diocese of Cleveland will again offer its annual Evening of Confession on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, which is two weeks after Ash Wednesday. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the love and forgiveness that only God can give in the sacrament of reconciliation from 5-8 p.m. at Catholic churches throughout the Diocese of Cleveland. Churches throughout the eight counties of the diocese will be open and ready to welcome all people home to find love, mercy and hope. Since all things are possible with God, no sin it too big or too old to be absolved, which leads to reconciliation and healing, and reconnects us to our community of faith and to God. Watch for more information on the 2023 Evening of Confession in the months to come.
World Mission Sunday Collection: 22-23 October 2022
World Mission Sunday this year is on the weekend of 22-23 October 2022. 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, General Intercessions, homily helps and bulletin announcements, was mailed to each pastor. Additional materials may be found at here or the Diocese of Cleveland Mission Office.
November 2022 Liturgical Calendar
During November, we are called in a special way to remember “our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection” (Eucharistic Prayer II). A book might be made available in some convenient location in which the faithful could inscribe the names of their beloved dead who would be remembered in prayer during this month.
The Solemnity of All Saints is a holy day of obligation. A Vigil Mass for All Saints may be celebrated Monday, October 31st, after 4:00 p.m. Masses celebrating the Solemnity are to be celebrated on Tuesday, November 1st.
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) is not a holy day of obligation. Masses celebrating All Souls are to be celebrated on Wednesday, November 2. There are multiple Scripture options for Masses celebrating this liturgy. Consult the regional Ordo for a full listing of options.
Ritual Masses are not permitted on All Souls’ Day. Weddings within the Mass of the Day may be celebrated.
The “Order for Visiting a Cemetery on All Souls’ Day…” (Book of Blessings #1734-1754) may be used by a priest, deacon, lay minister, or a family, either immediately following Mass or apart from Mass. If this is done immediately following Mass, the blessing and dismissal of Mass are omitted. The priest may wear either a chasuble or cope for the procession to the cemetery, and a suitable psalm/song may be sung. If this service is used by a family, a family member takes the minister’s parts.
Thanksgiving Day is Thursday, November 24. The Proper Mass is used, with white vestments. “Thanksgiving Day is a holiday with special religious significance…Individuals may bring food to be blessed for their Thanksgiving dinner [to Mass]. Food may also be blessed that will be distributed to the poor.” (Book of Blessings #1755-1756)
The new liturgical year (Year A) begins on Sunday, November 27 with the First Sunday of Advent.
2022 Catholic Charities Appeal – just over $12,000,000 has been raised as of 31 August.
Solicitation Letter: During the week of 12 September, 55,000 households received a letter from Pat Gareau asking for support of the 2022 Appeal with a monetary gift. This letter was special as it included a matching gift opportunity from the Humble Heart-Gentle Soul Foundation to honor the 110th Anniversary of Catholic Charities of Cleveland. It also included a prayer card where your intentions will be prayed for during the 110th Anniversary Mass on October 14th. Donations can be made online.
Save the Date: The 2023 Annual Appeal will take place in all parishes on Feb. 18-19. 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. Click here to give online, 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 click here.
National Estate Planning Awareness Week
National Estate Planning Awareness Week is October 17th-23rd. The Catholic Community Foundation has a number of customizable resources to help you promote legacy gifts in your parish community. For more information, please email Jean Ann Montagna or call 216-696-6525 x8070.
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 before October 31. The giving day, which takes place on Tuesday, November 29, is a celebration of Catholic philanthropy and will help you raise awareness and funds for your good work.
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. Please let us know how many vouchers you need for your site and we will mail them to you.
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY – DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND – OCTOBER 30, 2022
Priesthood Sunday will be observed in the Diocese of Cleveland on October 30, 2022. An informational flyer was mailed in September to all pastors, principals, parish catechetical leaders, and parish secretaries. Seminarian Photo Poster [17 x 22 (four-fold) and 11 x 17 (two-fold) formats] and prayer cards (Prayer for Priests and Seminarians) will be available free-of-charge. Please use the form provided with the mailing, or email poster and prayer card requests. For further information contact the Vocation Office at 440-943-7630.
XLT! – OCTOBER 27, 2022
Join us for an evening of prayer, adoration, worship, and fellowship for youth and young adults. Each evening begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel at the Center for Pastoral Leadership. Future XLT! Events: December 1, 2022; January 26, 2023; February 23, 2023; April 20, 2023.
FAMILY DAY AT THE SEMINARY—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022—3:30PM
The Diocesan Vocation Office invites families from the Diocese of Cleveland to join the seminarians and faculty of Borromeo and Saint Mary Seminaries at the Center for Pastoral Leadership, 28700 Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe. The day will consist of prayer, fellowship, activities, testimonials, pizza, and tours of the seminary. To RSVP for this event or for an advertisement to place in your parish bulletin, please contact Maggie Zbiegien at 440-943-7631.
COME AND SEE RETREAT DAY – NOVEMBER 18-20, 2022
This Come and See experience at Borromeo and Saint Mary Seminaries provides a retreat day for men between 17 and 44 years of age, offering the opportunity to experience life at the seminary. Please take a few minutes to identify a few potential candidates and contact Fr. Michael McCandless, Vocation Director, at 440-943-7660. We will see that they receive a personal invitation.
2022-2023 VOCATION EVENTS – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
National Vocation Awareness Week November 6-12, 2022
Pro Orantibus Day November 21, 2022
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life February 4-5, 2023
Bishop’s Seminary Brunch March 26, 2023
World Day of Prayer for Vocations April 30, 2023
Borromeo Golf Outing June 19, 2023
Retirement Fund for the Religious
Please save the date of Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, 2022 for the Retirement Fund for Religious annual collection. Parishes are encouraged to promote in pew giving, electronic giving or to mail donations to the Diocese, care of the Office of Clergy and Religious. Funds raised help the religious communities in our Diocese with 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 diocesan memo.
Eucharistic Revival
Are you interested in hosting the Bl. Carlo Eucharistic Miracles Display in your faith community? The Eucharistic Miracles Display is a traveling museum-like exhibition featuring the Eucharistic Miracles as chronicled by Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991-2006). Blessed Carlo was a teenager from Italy who developed a website dedicated to the documented and 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. Click here to learn more.
New resources are available on the diocesan website: dioceseofcleveland.org/eucharist. Click here for bulletin inserts.
Synod Update | The National Synthesis
The National Synthesis, which marks the end of the diocesan phase of the Synod on Synodality is now available on the USCCB website in both English and Spanish. The Synthesis is, among other things, an expression of what we as a Church have heard each other say when asked about our deepest preoccupations and hopes for the Church of which, by the grace of God, we are all a vital part. The publication of this document is not a concluding moment, however; it is a reflective, forward-moving moment. It is an invitation to listen, to discuss together and to discern together as the Church, about how best to understand and act upon those matters that sit deeply in the hearts and minds of Catholics in the U.S.
National Black Catholic Congress XIII Day of Reflection | October 29, 9 am – 3:30 pm | Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe. Under the theme, "Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive," Congress invites the Black community to listen to God's voice through scripture and become a prophetic people who move towards a vision to thrive. For more information, visit our website.
Emmaus Institute-School of Missionary Disciples / Instituto Emaús-Escuela de Discípulos Misioneros | October 29, 9:00am-4:00pm | Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 6928 Detroit Ave., Cleveland | Social Doctrine of the Church / Doctrina Social de la Iglesia | Click here for more information about the class.
The month of October is dedicated as Respect Life Month throughout the diocese. The Office for Human Life, in collaboration with the Diocesan Social Action Office, is highlighting different aspects of life each week throughout the month of October in order to help build and celebrate the culture of life.
We have prepared a “toolkit” to provide resources for parishes and schools including:
Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB will host a retreat and several lectures from October 9-12 on the power of meditation for Christian living today. Find more info here.
Conference of Religions Fall Convocation | October 23, 2022
The fall convocation of the Conference of Religions gathers members of the world religions to discuss “Function of Religion in a Democracy.” It is open to the public and there is no fee. Find more details here.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023
Print resources for parishes can be ordered from Graymoor at the link here.
LEM Certification Liturgy | October 15, 9:30am, St. John’s Cathedral
Please keep in prayer Marianne Brooks, Francine Costantini, Logan Feldkamp, Millie Prebel and Kathy Wadowick as they prepare for certification.
Emotional Intelligence in Pastoral Care Workshop: Interpersonal Effectiveness | November 5, 9:30am-12:00pm | Center for Pastoral Leadership, Aula
Dr. Ted Raddell will discuss how to enhance skills in empathy and attunement based on the latest advances in interpersonal neurobiology to help us meet people where they are and navigate healthy boundaries where necessary. Part Two of a Three Part Series. Register here.
Mental Health / Bereavement Ministry
Sanctuary Mental Health has a free downloadable course that is appropriate for small groups to open up and share conversations. Click here to learn more. No prior experience is needed.
A new Catholic Bereavement curriculum “When a Loved One Dies by Suicide” for loss to suicide is going to be released from Sanctuary in conjunction with the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. This is a free resource with downloadable discussion guides and leader guides. A parish leader can share it with individuals as a self-guided resource or gather a group together. Click here to visit their website.
Fall Marriage Enrichment - “Strategies for Strengthening Relationships”
Each parish has a unique offering for the day with Catholic Gottman Marriage and Family Therapists. Click here for more information.
Retreat, Re-Group and Eucharistic ReCharge! | December 9, Jesuit Retreat Center
Pastoral Leaders, Bereavement Ministers, Lay Ecclesial Ministers will gather for a day of processing our own grief. Click here to visit the website for full details.
Youth Minister Bootcamp: Youth Ministry 101 | October 11, 10am-noon | Holy Martyrs Parish
Future dates for YM Bootcamp: Nov 9, Dec 14, Jan 17, Feb 9, Mar 15
Grant Writing Workshop | October 18, 3-4:30pm | St Charles Borromeo Parish
Unsure about how to apply for a grant for youth ministry efforts? Join Francine and Cari - both of whom have applied for and received past grants - as they share tips and encouragement. Register by October 16.
Date Night | October 21, 7pm | Location TBA
Youth ministers and spouses/significant others are invited to this fun evening out. Nobody else understands what it is like to be married to a youth minister. This is an opportunity to thank spouses for the sacrifices they make to enable their spouse to minister to young people, and a chance to meet and deepen relationships with others in similar situations. The evening will consist of a short talk followed by food and fellowship. Register by Oct 18
Believeland Young Adult Retreat | October 14-16 | Jesuit Retreat Center
$65 includes all expenses including meals and lodging. Register online
Theology on Tap | Forest City Brewery | October 20 @ 7 pm
“Building a Culture of Invitation,” by Deacon Dave Chojnacki. Register online
First Friday Club of Cleveland
Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Director Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) | Thursday, October 6, 2022 | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm | The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Ave., Cleveland OH 44114 | Registration and more information click 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.
The Word Alive: Living the Gospel of John - A Virtual Program | Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30pm | October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24 | Michael Reiling | $30
October Sabbath Days - a Personal Retreat Day | Tuesday, October 4, 8:30am - 3:30pm | $50
Emmaus 2022: Celebrating Who We Are | Friday, October 7, 7:00pm - Saturday, October 8, 8:30pm | Sr. Marian Durkin, CSA and special guest speaker & founder of the Emmaus Retreat, Fr. Steve Krupa, SJ | $125
October Morning Prayer for Women | Monday, October 17, 9:30 - 11:00am | Sr. Mary Ann Flannery, S.C. | Free Will Offering (walk-ins welcome, registration is no longer required).
Cinema & Conversation: Coco | Monday, October 31, 7:00 - 9:00pm | Free Will Offering. Registration is not required.
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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
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