While our hope is to warmly welcome everyone to Saint Malachi Parish please be advised that the rectory building is limited to clergy, employees and scheduled volunteers. All other parishioners and visitors are by appointment only as we need to regulate social-distancing at all times. All visitors are required to wear masks and to sanitize their hands when entering the building. If someone needs to pick up or drop off any item, or use the copier for parish business, the receptionist will be happy to fulfill your request. We thank you for your understanding as we make every effort to ensure a safe environment for the clergy, staff, and volunteers.

What does it mean to love our neighbors in the midst of such a divisive climate? Catholics are called to bring the best of ourselves and our faith to the public square – and yet today, many shy away from such involvement because our national and local conversations are filled with anger and harsh language, often directed at people themselves. As Catholics, we must model a better way. We are invited to model love for neighbor by pledging to Civilize It and committing to civility, clarity, and compassion this election year. Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate is a non-partisan call to focus on the dignity of all people, even those with whom we disagree, and to put faith in action. Make room in your heart for those with whom you disagree, and to put faith in action. Make room in your heart for those with whom you disagree and pledge dignity beyond the debate today as we Civilize It!

Pray that God would give us the grace to remember the dignity of all and invite others to do the same.

Reflect
As Catholics, our strong tradition of social teaching compels us to be actively engaged in the building up of our communities. This is achieved by being involved in the political process—and yet today, many shy away from such involvement because our national and local conversations are filled with vitriol and harsh language, often directed at people themselves. When personal attacks replace honest debate, no one wins. This kind of attack, no matter the reason, only serves to further divide our communities. What is needed is good, honest, civil dialogue. This means that we must treat everyone as worthy of being at the table, worthy of our respect, and worthy of being heard. In short, it means treating everyone as our neighbor.

Act
Interested in learning more about civil dialogue or about how your community can engage in civil dialogue more often? Join USCCB’s Civilize It Campaign to help promote dignity beyond the debate.  Visit civilizeit.org for more information, to take the pledge, or plan an opportunity for civil dialogue in your community.

Do you like to play in the plants? If so, please consider adopting a section of the campus grounds for weeding, cleanup, and trimming periodically over the summer.  Set your own schedule. Please  bring your own tools and refuse bags.  We need help with the flower beds and garden areas. There will be no mulching or extra planting this year.  Together, we can  keep what we have looking good and growing well.  You, of course, are welcome to adopt more than one area. Contact Kay Vine at 216-563-1993 or kmvine3@gmail.com.

We are in need of three individuals to assume the responsibility of washing  and ironing the altar linens—purificators, towels & corporals—that we use at Mass and returning them to the Church.  The laundry will be hanging in a plastic bag in the vestment closet.  Carry it home, put in the washer without touching it and dispose of the bag.   This work is done on a rotating first through fifth week basis so signing on means one time per month.  Your help will be greatly appreciated.  Contact Kay Vine at 216-563-1993 or kmvine3@gmail.com.

Please join us as we continue our gradual return to in-office Sunday Grief Support Group on July 19 with limited seating for appropriate social distancing.  The July topic is “Taking Care of Yourself While Grieving”.   We will meet 3-4PM at the following locations:

* Saint Joseph Cemetery, Avon (NEW office)

* Holy Cross Cemetery, Akron (office)

* Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park (office)

* Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland (office)

* All Saints Cemetery, Northfield (office)

* All Souls Cemetery, Chardon (office)

Meeting sites will be sanitized and seating will be arranged so everyone is at a safe distance.  Participants are requested to RSVP so we can plan appropriate social distancing at each location.  We recommend that participants wear protective masks.   To RSVP or for questions, please contact Rhonda at rabrams@clecem.org or at 216-930-4866.   To view our most updated calendar of events, please visit clecem.org.