Join us Sat., Oct. 14 at 5PM for the Second Saturday Supper at Malachi’s. We will be serving a Clam Bake (from Stancato’s). The cost is $30/dinner and you get a dozen clams, clam chowder, baked chicken, corn, and red skin potatoes. Hospitality will provide dessert. Questions contact William Meaney 810-357-2830 and to reserve a dinner call/email Bill Graham at wegraham44@ gmail.com or 216-870-1522.
All men from the diversity of ways men are men – all spiritual paths, all faith traditions, all ages, and all sexual orientations – are invited to attend the next Male Spirit Men’s Retreat October 27-29. At Maria Stein Retreat Center in Maria Stein, Ohio. See, email or call Peter Toomey 440-669-0750 peter.e.toomey@gmail.com, Jeff Barbalics 216-396-5461 jbarbalics2@gmail.com or Mike Graham mmrsgraham@msn.com for details and registration flyer. 18 men have already committed. Come out of your comfort zone and treat yourself or a loved one to a wonderful men’s interfaith retreat experience during this coming Fall Season. Men have been asking “When?’ Now it’s here don’t miss this one.
All Knights of Columbus come together to support our Ukrainian brother and sisters who are suffering. “In Ukraine nowadays there are few people who haven’t lost someone — father, husband, son, relative or friend,” According to a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 63% of Ukrainians have lost relatives or close friends in the current phase of this conflict. Caring for widows and orphans was extremely important to Blessed Michael McGivney, who made it one of the pillars of the Knights’ identity and vocation. In keeping with that mission, Ukrainian Knights are reaching out to people whose loved ones have died, supporting them mentally as well as physically. Please support their efforts. 100% of your donation goes directly to support those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Make checks payable to St. Malachi Parish and write “Ukraine” on the memo line. All donations will be sent directly to the Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. Please be generous.
Jesus tells him, that is, that when you forgive, you do not calculate, that it is good to forgive everything. God acts out of love and gratuitousness. We cannot repay Him, but when we forgive our brother or sister, we imitate Him. Forgiveness is therefore not a good deed, that one can do or not do! Jesus’ message is clear: God forgives incalculably, exceeding all God acts out of love, We cannot repay Him, but when we forgive our brother or sister, we imitate Him. Forgiveness is therefore not a good deed, but a fundamental requirement for Christians. Forgiveness is the oxygen that purifies the air polluted by hatred, it is the antidote that heals the poisons of resentment, it is the way to defuse anger and heal so many diseases of the heart that contaminate society. Let us try, now, each of us, to think of a person who has hurt us, and let us ask the Lord for the strength to forgive them. And let us forgive them out of love for the Lord. It will do us good, it will restore peace in our hearts. Angelus Prayer, Sept. 17, 2023
September 25: Executive Panel Discussion: Making Present the Human Face of God – Sr. Margaret Taylor, Mike Wisnor, and Liz Hjort, all leaders at Incarnate Word Academy, each share their take on the finding the human face of God while looking through the lens of Catholic education. (Incarnate Word Academy, 6620 Pearl Road, Parma Heights, 6-8PM) More details can be found on Facebook and Instagram (@ycpcleveland) Register for free at ycpcleveland.org/events.
The Spirituality Program for Adults (SPA) at Saint Ignatius High School invites you to participate in two free upcoming Fall programs: Come and See Retreat (a six week experience) and Men’s Retreat (a five week experience) taking place this October! Draw closer to God through the gift of Ignatian Spirituality and connect with other seekers through scripture, prayer, and faith sharing. Registrations are being accepted through the Saint Ignatius High School website (visit https://www.ignatius.edu/faith-in-action/spirituality-program-for-adults). For further information take a minute to read Why Should I Make a Retreat? or call Amy McKenna, Director of SPA, at 216-655-0222, ext. 4333 with any questions.
Join us Monday, Oct. 9 at Copper Cup (Ironwood Café) 688 Dover Center, Westlake. Fr. Bob Franco, Pastor of St. Peter N. Ridgeville & St. Julie Billiart and the Bishop’s liaison for the Charismatic Renewal will speak on How the Holy Spirit Empowers Us! Cost is $15. per person which includes light appetizers & refreshments. Cash Bar is available. Advance tickets highly recommended as space is limited & this will sell out. Register in advance: www.theologyontherocks.wixsite.com/west. Doors open at 6:30PM. Program begins at 7PM
God’s dream for us is this: to unite us in His love, in His communion, so we can discover the beauty of being God’s children, and brothers and sisters among ourselves. Faith is primarily an experience of relationships and encounters, underscoring the importance of experiencing God’s love in our own relationships with one another. Such relationships serve as a powerful means of proclaiming the richness of the Gospel and God’s boundless love for all of creation. Pope Francis, to the Association for the Promotion of the Family, September 9, 2023
Dear Friends and Parishioners,
There is a saying that I heard many years ago: preach the whole truth from the pulpit, make the truth understood in the classroom, and handle any pain of truth in the confessional. In other words, as preachers and teachers, we have the duty to teach what the Church teaches with enthusiasm and without compromise. However, we have the privilege to walk with individuals who wrestle with those truths as we serve in the pastoral setting or within the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
As many of you are aware, Bishop Malesic recently distributed a document entitled Parish & School Policy on Issues of Sexuality and Gender Identity.
These issues have been raised by principals and pastors seeking clarification over the last several years and the Bishop has been asked to articulate Church teaching and offer guidelines, especially for those who minister to children and young adults.
As I read the policies, there really aren’t any new or novel positions the Diocese of Cleveland assumes. They reflect what we have always held about human gender and sexuality. However, I certainly understand the shock and possible dismay for many within our local Catholic community. This is especially true as many in our society (including some Catholics) have embraced new ideologies which accommodate varying positions about sexuality and gender identity. This societal shift has also called into question the role of parents – who we believe to be the primary educators and formators of their children – as these emerging positions are introduced into the education environment.
Acknowledging the makeup of our own parish community, I continue to work with both parishioners and others who identify as being LGBT+. Many of them are sincerely seeking relationship with the Lord as they wrestle with our teachings. In light of the Bishop’s recent statement, I have received emails this past week from several of these individuals. Some have described their personal pain while others have expressed appreciation that the Church is offering clarification on these important matters. And messages have been received from others who love and support our brothers and sisters experiencing same-sex attraction or gender identity issues.
As with all matters of faith and morals, I realize that there is a pastoral dimension to each situation. While the teaching is to be preached and taught with clarity, the pastoral conversations also need to continue. As your parish administrator, I stand ready to walk with you. To love each and every parishioner – regardless of one’s struggle – is my privilege and my promise. May we continue to walk this journey together as we seek Christ’s light, wisdom, and peace.
Sincerely yours in Christ Our Good Shepherd, Fr. Gurnick
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Malachi and Saint Patrick Parishes,
As a follow-up to Bishop Malesic’s vision of St. Malachi Parish becoming an Oratory and developing a formal relationship with St. Patrick Parish, we held listening sessions after each weekend Mass in July at both parishes. Attached to this letter is a summary of comments that reflect the most common themes,
concerns, questions, logistics, etc. I invite you to review these comments to see what others in both parishes are thinking at this time.
At those sessions, I stated that a timeline for a strategic plan would soon be developed. With the assistance of Ms. Rosie Dolan Baker, who will be serving as our facilitator, a general timeline is currently being developed for our parishes to come together in this new relationship.
In addition to the timeline, we will be developing an Integration Steering Committee (ISC). This group will provide leadership with Rosie for creating a useful process. The ISC will be comprised of equal members from each parish. Although the committee will ultimately be appointed by me, members of both Parish Councils and Parish Staffs are being sought for their recommendations.
Our plan is to have this committee formed by October in order to begin working with Rosie. This will help the newly formed committee evaluate what parishioners have brought to our conversations and how to proceed. They will need time in the fall to be trained for this important work.
opportunity to learn more about the basic process and timeline.
Those meetings times are:
Saint Patrick Parish Weekend of Sept. 30 and October 1 Club Bldg. Lower Hall
Saint Malachi Parish Weekend of October 7 and 8 Former School Lower Hall
In the meanwhile, we will offer opportunities at both parishes to come together and get acquainted. I want to thank the many from both parishes who have offered to lend some of their personal and professional expertise as we move forward. The process itself will present opportunities for all parishioners to become engaged at various stages. Please continue to keep this initiative in your prayers. May our two great patron saints intercede for us!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Michael K. Gurnick
