A Message from Lisa Durst
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
It has been two short months since I was welcomed to the diocesan staff to serve as Secretary for Parish Life and Development. This has been a bittersweet time for me. I have enjoyed getting to know, pray and work with the talented men and women serving in the Secretariat and others in the Diocese. What a blessing to have this experience! At the same time, I have been struggling to manage my husband’s recent health care crisis which has left him disabled. We have all been praying for a full recovery but that has not yet been granted to us by our loving and merciful God. We will keep praying and hoping for the best outcome and trusting in God’s will and plan for us. By the grace of God, I was able to discern it will be in my husband’s best interests for me to have a job where I can work from home and oversee his care. I believe my close proximity throughout the day will be a source of comfort and peace for him.
Given this unexpected and devastating turn of events, I am very sadly sharing with you that I have resigned my position as Secretary. My last day at the Diocese was February 1. I want to thank so many of you who reached out to me in the past couple of months to welcome me and to talk about opportunities to collaborate. Although those partnerships will not be possible at this time, I want you to know I will continue to keep you in my prayers and wish you much peace and joy in all that you do.
May God bless you with His grace and draw you nearer to Him each day.
Lisa Durst
February 1, 2022
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Diocesan Synodal Process
Save the Date!
On Saturday, June 11, 2022 we will gather delegates from across the diocese representing diverse peoples, ministries, communities, cultures and all walks of life. This will be a time for prayer, a time to reflect on what we have heard in the listening sessions, and a time to discern where the Holy Spirit is leading us as a diocese. More information coming soon!
Lenten Conversation Starters
During the Christmas season, we provided a handout with conversation starters for holiday gatherings with family and friends. We have updated the handout so that it can be used during Lent to engage family and friends in the Synod listening process, especially those who are disconnected from the Church. The handout is available in both English and Spanish.
More updates on the Synodal Process can be found here.
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Human Trafficking Happens Here Too
On behalf of the diocese, and in collaboration with the Diocesan Social Action Office, this Office is engaged in ongoing efforts to provide powerful educational tools, trainings and resources for parishes to assist victims of human trafficking right here in Northeast Ohio. To that end, we want to share resources from the national “Through God’s Grace Ministry” on behalf of the CCOAHT (Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking), which is hosted by the USCCB.
Any parish/pastor/school community interested in taking action in the fight against human trafficking, please visit www.throughGodsgrace.com for resources, including a link to their 3-part YouTube series for churches that begins with “How to Create a Dynamic Anti-Human Trafficking Ministry.” A downloadable e-book, How You Can Fight Human Trafficking, Over 100 Ways to Make a Difference, is offered free of charge between the 15th and 19th of April, July, and October.
Please visit our website for a host of resources and learning tools. No one organization or person can do it alone, but together we can make our community safer. If you have any questions, please contact Mary von Carlowitz or Paul Kipfstuhl.
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
We highlight this month every year and, given the lingering effects of the persistent pandemic, it is important to do everything that we can to protect our children. While the global trauma has impacted all of us, we can be a part of the solution to provide safe, healthy, and happy environments for our kids! You can find a link to a comprehensive Resource Booklet assembled by the USCCB here. The booklet includes such items as suggested virtual activities, homily helps, sample social media posts, and other good ideas to raise awareness about child abuse prevention. Thank you!
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Visit LEM Formation Night
March 18 and April 8, 6:30-8pm
Center for Pastoral Leadership
Join us for prayer and learn about the formation process for Certification as a Lay Ecclesial Minister in our diocese. Meet some of our candidates in formation, become aware of networking and spiritual growth opportunities along with academic options. For more info or to RSVP, please email Pattie Batchman or call 440-943-7669.
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Summer 2022 Canon Law Course
Information Session
April 8, 5-6:30pm
Center for Pastoral Leadership
Anyone interested in working with people on marriage cases with the Tribunal is encouraged to participate in the summer 2022 course in Canon Law. To learn more, join instructor Lynette Tait, JCL, who serves as a Judge on the Diocesan Tribunal, at this information meeting. If you have questions about the course, please contact Lynette Tait at 216-696-6525, ext. 4000. To sign up for the information session, please email Pattie Batchman or call 440-943-7669.
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The Captivating Power of Joy Virtual Retreat
This self-guided virtual retreat is made up of 4 short videos created by the Office of Missionary Discipleship (in a YouTube playlist, here) that can be used for reflection and meditation. Take some time with these, encounter Christ in your prayer, and commit to sharing the joy of your faith!
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Lenten Retreat: Jesus the Mercy of God Incarnate
April 2, 2022, 8:30am-4pm
Sagrada Familia Church
Presented by Father Francisco Honorato, CSJ, pastor, Sagrada Familia and Father Francisco Molina from the Diocese of Toledo. For more information about this event, please contact Misael Mayorga at 216-374-9440 or by email.
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African American Ministry
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Operation Good News
Spring 2022 Renewal Weekend:
"We are all Made in the
Image of God"
April 23, 8am - April 24, 3pm
Jesuit Retreat Center
Are you missing something in your life? Are you in need of a spiritual uplift or a renewed sense of God's presence in your life? Well, why not try an Operation Good News weekend? Join us and find renewed spiritual vision for your life! $30 fee, graciously subsidized, includes overnight lodging, 5 meals and program materials! Space is limited, register by March 25.
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SS. Anne & Joachim Grandparents Workshops
March 28 & 30, April 4 & 6
Grandparents are vital to passing on the faith. This one-day workshop, to be held at four parishes around the diocese, will be an opportunity to talk about Pope Francis' vision of the role of grandparents, learn where your grandchildren are coming from, how to evangelize them, and some practical tools that can be used to pass on the faith. The cost is $10/person including brunch and a closing Mass. For locations and to register:
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Prepare-Enrich Training
April 19, 26 and May 3, 6:30-8:30pm
St. Hilary, Fairlawn
The Prepare-Enrich inventory training for new Marriage Mentor couples will be held three consecutive Tuesdays. Cost is $100 per couple for the resource kit and food. Contact Terri Yohman for more information or to register your couples.
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50th Jubilee Celebration
Saturday June 25, 10am
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
The 50th Anniversary of Marriage Mass is celebrated for couples residing within the Diocese of Cleveland who celebrate 50 years of marriage during the 2022 calendar year (married in 1972). Due to capacity and construction limitations, couples are asked to only bring 2 guests or special support people. We will fulfill seating in a first come first served process. Registration opens April 15 and will close May 30. Please consider assisting your parishioners with the online form which can be found at dioceseofcleveland.org/50th.
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Couples' Day Out
April 30, 2022, 9am–1pm
St. Sebastian, Akron
West Side Catholic Couples invites married and engaged couples, and singles thinking of marriage, to join Fr. Patrick Schultz and Fr. Ryan Mann for an uplifting day that is sure to bring your relationship closer to each other and to God. Cost is $25 per person; financial assistance is available. Beverages and a light snack will be provided. Mass will precede the event at 8:00am. Contact Gail gnanaof6@icloud.com or 330-322-9452. Find more information and purchase tickets here.
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March 17-25 Begins another #9NightsCLE
Parishes hosting 9 consecutive nights of night prayer are:
- Transfiguration (Lakewood)
- St. Mary's (Akron)
- St. Charles Borromeo (Parma)
- Our Lady of Peace (Shaker)
- St. Helen (Newbury)
- Sacred Heart (Oberlin)
- St. Ignatius of Antioch (CLE)
- St. Mary Magdelene (Willowick)
- Ss. Peter and Paul (Doylestown)
81 Opportunities to pray! Don't Miss Out.
Just Stop & Pray.
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