Dear Parishioners and Friends,
We continue our planning for Collaboration Implementation as St. Malachi and St. Patrick enter into our new relationship as oratory and parish. As there will be many extensive tasks to complete throughout 2025, folks may begin to feel the realities of change. Our reactions and responses will vary as we all handle change in different ways. Some changes may foster enthusiasm while others may present challenge. Some of the changes may evoke no reaction or feeling  as they won’t necessarily impact individuals.

Many of these changes will be based upon careful study and will include communal feedback as Leadership Teams implement the many recommendations offered by the Working Groups in June and the decisions of the Steering Committee in August.

Some of these changes include:

1. Alignment of Liturgy Schedules for weekends, weekdays, and holy days of obligation;

2. Celebration of other sacraments, including Marriage and Penance;

3. Coordination of calendar events between St. Malachi and St. Patrick;

4. Coordination of parish budgets, policies for preserving restricted funds, establishing administrative procedures, designing effective communications, etc.

5. Establishing a joint Parish Council, Finance Council, and other commissions and committees.

Most importantly, however, is continuing to establish a spirit of charity, trust, and unity as we discover ways to grow together. For each of us, this will require active listening and authentic engagement. And it requires a prayerful heart that is being prepared for these significant changes so that  the mission of Jesus Christ remains strong, viable, and hopeful for all parishioners and members of our community. As
we move forward together, I ask for your continued prayerful and practical support as we implement these changes in 2025. In addition to the leadership teams that will assist us, I am grateful to all of you for your active participation and involvement in the life of our parish as we enter into this new chapter.
Gratefully yours in Christ,
Fr. Gurnick 

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
October is Respect Life Month, an opportunity for us to highlight the importance of embracing the gift of life and the dignity of every person. One of our core beliefs is that life is to be protected from “conception until natural death.” This is not mere rhetoric but is actually at the very heart of our Catholic Social Teaching. When we discuss the rights and dignity of every human person, we understand this to be a unifying
force. This fundamental right of every human being must transcend cultural, religious, and philosophical boundaries.

Arguments for recognizing and defending life, therefore, is a universal principle – that is, all people of good will, regardless of where they live, or the religion they practice, or the philosophy they hold, have the capacity to recognize this essential gift of life. Unconditional respect for life is no easy task, as evidenced by the ongoing debates within society (and even within our Church community). How do we support the lives of our unborn sisters and brothers? How do we manage immigration policies while honoring those who genuinely seek asylum or a better way of life? What does economic justice for all look like? What respect is shown for the elderly? How is basic healthcare accessible for everyone? What is just punishment for the murderer? How do we honor the dignity and rights of those with debilitating mental illness? How do we care for the Poor, Hungry, and those without shelter?

To address each and all of these important topics, we must start with the fundamental premise that all life is sacred, that every human person matters. It really is that simple. The consistent call to respect life is not an appendage to our discipleship. It is foundational because respecting all life takes seriously our fidelity to the two great commandments: to love God with our whole heart and to love one another. Let us pray throughout this month – and every day of our lives – fora true appreciation for Life, the greatest gift that comes from the Author of Life.

Respectfully yours in Christ Our Life,
Fr. Gurnick

ADMINISTRATOR’S COLUMN
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Patrick and St. Malachi,
I was joined by our Collaborative Steering Committee Co-Chairs, Pat Masterson and Stephanie Williams, for our meeting with Bishop Malesic and members of his staff on September 18. As parishioners know, we requested that he formally proceed with changing the status of
St. Malachi Parish to that of an oratory with sponsorship through St. Patrick Parish. The strategic plan for the partnership was also reviewed. The bishop was very pleased with the proposal and will proceed with the plan moving forward. The following steps were offered by the
bishop and his staff:
1. Bishop Malesic will officially consult with his Presbyteral Council in November to present and review this proposal;
2. A formal letter of decree is anticipated at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025;
3. The partnership between the new oratory and the sponsoring parish will go into effective 1 July 2025. The rationale for this date is to align it with the time-line for combining various commissions and committees, as proposed by the Steering Committee.

Bishop Malesic and his staff inquired if there were concerns raised by parishioners, even if not objecting to the process. We responded that the two main concerns had todo with 1) balance between our mission and that of financial stewardship, ie. budgeting for operations and staffing, as well as respecting specific designated funds, and 2) retaining our mission and ministries to the poor and others
in need. The bishop concurred that both areas need to be honored and was satisfied with plans for us to have specific Memoranda of Understanding created to honor these priorities.   the meanwhile, the bishop gave his approval that we may begin to move toward our goals and timelines, as prescribed in our proposal.

At the conclusion of our meeting, Bishop Malesic expressed his gratitude to the Collaboration Steering Committee, the Working Groups, and to the parishioners for their sincere efforts to make this a fruitful process. The bishop then offered his blessing, extending it to all of you. Our next phase for implementation is underway with more information available in the weeks ahead. I also extend my sincerest thanks to our parish leaders and to everyone who has been engaged in this important process. Through the intercession of Ss. Malachi and Patrick, may we continue to grow as experience this next chapter – together.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Gurnic

Staffing Update – 

We thank Jeanette Shemo for her faithful service as Administrative Manager at St. Malachi for more than four years.  This leadership role was in addition to her work in the parish office since 2016.   Jeanette will now be serving as Accountant for both parishes. 

We also thank Stephanie Pritts who has served as Pastoral Minister and Catechetical Leader at Saint Malachi Parish for 14 years, five of those years serving as Catechetical Leader for both of our parishes.  Stephanie will continue to serve as our Catechetical Leader.

Driven by their love for the Church, Jeanette and Stephanie have served us well in these positions. 

We also take this opportunity to officially welcome Bob Knopf who will begin his new role as full-time Administrative Manager for both Saint Patrick and St. Malachi.  Bob will be working closely with Scott Menningen, Saint Patrick’s Administrative Manager, who will be retiring in October. 

Frank Budziak has accepted the position of Campus Operations Coordinator at St. Malachi, a newly created part-time position intended to assist with the various activities and needs.  Frank will be a welcome addition to the team!

Christy Bartley, Communications Coordinator for both parishes, will assume editorial oversight for the St. Malachi parish bulletin and e-mail in addition to her current responsibilities.

Please pray for these staff members as they begin these new positions of service to our parishioners.

Additionally, Fr. Gurnick asks for your prayers for him as Bishop Malesic recently renewed his assignment as Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish for another six years, in addition to serving as Administrator of St. Malachi Parish.   Father says, “I joyfully receive this renewal of my appointment and assure you of my continued commitment and love as we work together toward the building of God’s Kingdom and the work of the Church on Cleveland’s near west side. ”  

New E-mail Contacts – In light of Jeanette’s retirement as Business Manager and acceptance of the position of part-time Accountant, please send all future bulletin submissions to Eileen, eileen.l@stmalachi.org or Christy, christy.b@stmalachi.org.

SAVE THE DATES: Please, save the evenings of June 12th and 19th  when the Work Groups will present their draft recommendations to the parish for feedback. The presentations will be recorded and shared and there will be ways for everyone to listen and follow up with questions and comments. More information will be coming soon. Please, keep this process in your prayers.