Friends,
During this most sacred time of Holy Week, when we cannot be together, I will be sharing brief videograms with you. Please visit the website frequently, and especially at times when we would otherwise be together during the Easter Triduum, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil. And of course, on Easter Sunday.
You remain in my prayers,
Fr. Michael Gurnick,
Administrator, St. Malachi
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Letter from Fr. Michael Gurnick, Administrator
Dear St. Malachi Parishioners and Friends,
St. Malachi Parish, Cleveland, is temporarily suspending its Backdoor Ministry service for reasons associated with COVID-19 and recent directives from the Governor of the State of Ohio. Although religious organizations and other groups serving the hungry are exempt from many of these state-ordered directives, the ministry is currently unable to provide a safe environment for staff and those who are served. Please know that we are forwarding perishable items out to other food banks and pantries. We will list them on our website once they are confirmed. We will also continue to work with individuals and groups in finding other creative ways to serve those most in need. We thank everyone who supports this vital ministry and look forward to the time we can once again open the Back Door for our friends.
Please keep our homeless and hungry in your prayers and please support those groups and organizations who can benefit from your support.
Because of its temporary change in procedures, the Monday Night Meal program will continue with sandwich-based packages at its regular time.
Fr Gurnick
Parish Administrator
Many online Masses are available
In this time when Mass is not available in our churches due to COVID-19, there are many online Masses available. These include both recorded as well as live streamed Masses.
Diocese of Cleveland Online Resources
https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/offices/worship
Our Lady of the Lake, Euclid, YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBFGth-f8gQQtuFNjIVeyDg
Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Solon
https://churchofresurrection.org
Fr. Ron Raab –Daily Gospel and Reflection
ronaldraab.com
National Resources
Word on Fire Ministries, Bishop Robert Barron
WordOnFire.org
Word on Fire Ministries — Daily Mass
https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/
Catholic TV Network – Daily Masses
http://www.catholictv.org/masses
During these times when we cannot receive Holy Communion, we can say the Prayer of Spiritual Communion. The practice of praying for Spiritual Communion is recommended by Pope Francis during this time of COVID-19, and has been used by Catholics and other Christians in times of persecution, during earlier plagues, and other times when the faithful have been unable to receive Holy Communion. You may say it when participating in an on-line Mass, and other times during the day. The prayer:
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
TO: All Saint Malachi Staff, Volunteers, and General Parish Community
FR: Fr. Michael Gurnick, Administrator RE: Emergency Measures at This Time – Effective Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Due to the incredible demands being placed on everyone due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) our priority must be on safety of all people: staff, volunteers, parishioners, and those we serve everyday through our charity-related activities. As part of the safety protocols, our dedicated but small maintenance staff is required to disinfect all areas of our campus exposed to visitors. Guided by the principle of “social distancing,” we also need to consider the safety of all who are employed here, our volunteers, and our liturgical ministers.
Therefore, effective on Wednesday, March 18th, the following measures will be taken until further notice:
LITURGICAL LIFE, RCIA, and ALL FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS
All Masses/liturgies, by decree of the Bishops of Ohio, have ceased effective 16 March 2020. Please check out our Sunday bulletin on line this Friday for some creative ways to gather in spirit for the Day of the Lord.
Any Baptisms or Weddings are to be postponed unless there is a pastoral urgency. Special protocols apply.
is recommended that the Rite of Committal take place at the cemetery in a timely fashion with a Memorial Mass celebrated after this health crisis has passed. I will offer a special Mass in private upon news of any parishioner’s death.
Communion to the Sick is suspended at all nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, including to people’s individual homes. The celebration of the Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum to the Dying will be administered at any time, provided we are not restricted by any civil regulation. Special protocols apply.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). At this time, confessions are limited to being in danger of death, per diocesan directives. Confessions are not able to be administered via technology of any kind.
2459 Washington Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44113 · Phone 216-861–5343 · Fax 216–861–5343
All Faith Formation / Adult Enrichment Programming is suspended until further notice, including those activities with our partner parishes. Many of these groups have already been notified.
CHARITY & OTHER OUTREACH-BASED ACTIVITIES
Back Door Ministry will continue with limited hours of operation (9:00am until 1:00pm) and new procedures are in place for the protection of everyone involved. Because of the new social distancing directives, only staff will be working with this ministry until further notice.
Monday Night Meals will continue with a revised service procedure. No indoor access to the general public. Meals will be served to take out at the Washington Street Door only. We are asking that those volunteers who are especially at-risk immediately cease activity with this ministry. Anyone under 18 is restricted from offering to assist at this time.
We are working with the Metanoia Project leadership regarding the overnight shelter accommodations. Currently, their staff members are working with city and county personnel as they make provisions. We intend to honor our contractual relationship which concludes 15 April 2020; however their model will shift in accord with the current government directives. Please contact Metanoia directly for additional information.
Due to Malachi House’s mission and their status as a regulated facility, all non–essential staff and visitors are restricted from entering. Emergency pastoral care will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
The Malachi Center is suspending their after school program until further notice and they are trimming other services. Please contact them directly for additional information.
Alcoholics Anonymous and other support programs are currently being addressed with individual group leaders. We realize the positive impact these regular meetings have for our friends in recovery. However, each group must comply with current government guidelines at the time of each meeting (which may change daily). Regulations include capacity in attendance.
At this time, all other groups or organizations serving food or who are a source for gathering substantial numbers of individuals outside of normal weekly hours of operation, are temporarily suspended from our parish campus, again, for the safety of all involved. This includes the Saturday Morning Breakfast program.
THE RECTORY OFFICES ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Staff members will be working mostly from home with some individuals stopping in each day to address routine business such as voicemails, general correspondence, and financial operations. Please call or email if you need assistance as we will be monitoring both. Because the rectory building itself is a home, it is restricted to Fr. Walters and other essential personnel only, no exceptions, please!
ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS
To honor the efforts of our local, state, and federal government’s plan to prevent the further spread of COVID – 19, all other activities are suspended until further notice. I understand that these measures may appear extreme but we need to maintain the safety of our community members and those we serve. This notification will soon be followed by ideas for maintaining our communal sense of prayer and we remain committed to serving our sisters and brothers who rely on the many services provided here. Please know that I will be offering daily Mass for our parish family. Thank you for your kind understanding, prayerful support, and cooperation as we make it – and we WILL make it – through these challenging days ahead. Should additional government or diocesan directives be ordered we will modify any and all current plans listed here. Keep in touch at: stmalachi.org.
May the Lord bless us and keep us all in His tender care and mercy as we peacefully and joyfully bear witness to the Gospel of Light and Hope.
Fr. Michael Gurnick, Administrator of St. Malachi Parish, shares a message of hope at this time of COVID-19, for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. He understands that people are afraid, and wants you to know that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is taking care of all of you, even during this dark time.
He encourages parishioners to come together in their homes, at the time that they would normally celebrate Saturday/Sunday Mass, and pray the readings of the day, easily found on the USCCB Website. Also, consider praying with of the many daily Masses which are live-streamed and/or recorded, such as the one provided by our Diocese of Cleveland at SaintJohnCathedral.com.
Additional messages of hope, encouragement, Catholic entertainment for children and adults, and study are available at Formed.org.
Please check the parish website often for support and opportunities for connection and spiritual care.
Update 3-22-20
In addition to the daily and weekly masses available from the Diocese of Cleveland / St. John Cathedral, the following local parishes are either live streaming or offering recorded Masses:
Catholic Relief Services Collection
The Catholic Relief Services Collection to help Jesus in disguise was scheduled for March 22. Once we are advised if it is rescheduled we will notify you. Learn more at www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.
Forming Intentional Disciples
The Forming Intentional Disciples sessions are postponed. Participants, please watch your email for updates and material.
Volunteer Celebration Luncheon
The Volunteer Celebration scheduled for March 21 has been postponed to a date to be set in the fall. We appreciate the Music Box offering us the option of a postponement, and appreciate all volunteers’ patience and support.
Spiritual Development Commission Meeting
The Spiritual Development Commission meeting on Monday March 23 is postponed. Participants, please check your email for reports and updates.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we find ourselves in an interesting chapter of human history due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), putting into effect all the government, healthcare organizations, and diocesan directives – all essential and prudent – we may find ourselves more and more isolated from one another. This, of course, is so contrary to what we strive for as Christians who regularly assemble at the Table of the Lord, are enriched through faith formation events, or enjoy good fellowship with a cup of coffee. The very essence of the Church community is to unite, gather, and celebrate with hearts joined in mind and spirit. The necessary precautions due to COVID-19 present serious challenge for a community eager to be together.
Yet, throughout history, members of the Church experienced separation for a number of reasons. In addition to other times of plague, members were isolated due to political persecutions, wars, natural catastrophes, and acts of violence – to name just a few. Sadly, parts of the world today continue to experience separation for these same reasons.
Frankly, we do not know where this pandemic is going to take us and we remain uncertain as to the daily impact it will have on society and, in our specific case, as a parish family.
Already it has dictated a change of plans for our annual St. Malachi Run and other activities will need to be curbed as directed by civic and ecclesial leadership.
However, I invite all of us to think about how we keep the spirit of solidarity and unity during these challenging weeks or even months ahead. Here are some ideas:
Of course, additional information will be coming and we do need to plan for more challenges. But we can also bear joyful witness as a community of believers united in our faith, our prayer, and our continued concern for one another. Please stay tuned to our parish website and look for additional emails should there be updates or changes to our parish schedules and events.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gurnick
In light of the directives from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Diocese of Cleveland has decreed that Holy Water Fonts shall be drained as a precautionary step in preventing the spread of the Coronavirus (CoVid – 19). If you wish to obtain holy water in a personal vessel, the dispenser is located near the Blessed Mother Shrine.
For the Sign of Peace, the practice of shaking hands or embracing is during the liturgy is not recommended. Another gesture – bowing of the head or a verbal exchange of peace – is advised.
Regarding Holy Communion, the use of the Communion chalice is suspended until further notice.
If you or family members are showing signs of a Cold or the Influenza, we kindly invite you to return home and tend to your health with the promise of our prayers for those who are sick and for those caring for them.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Michael K. Gurnick
Administrator, Saint Malachi Parish
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