On March 9, Parish Council members met with Fr. Daniel Schlegel, Vicar for Clergy and Religious in the Diocese of Cleveland to discuss concerns of the parish. St. Malachi parish remains a very important parish in the Cleveland diocese, a welcoming place on the near westside serving the marginalized by providing basic needs: clothes, food, shelter, love and hope. With the ongoing support of parishioners, volunteers and donors the mission will continue. During these last four months we have been made to see the parish through a different lens.   The question of diocesan transparency was discussed; Fr. Schlegel explained the process the diocese has regarding a Leave of Absence,  established to protect the privacy of the clergy. Fr. Schlegel welcomed Parish Council members to offer their suggestions as to how handle this process more effectively, and with greater respect for the parish family. We the people of St. Malachi must continue to pray for Fr. Tony, both in our private prayer and in our prayer together as the people of St. Malachi Parish.

On Friday, February 22, 2019, a rich journey in faith at St. Malachi for the Ursuline sisters came to an end. For me personally it is also the end of a great adventure with people of extraordinary faith. I have been blessed a hundred times over by my youthful eagerness to come serve on the near west side fifty years ago. The challenges of closing a house after all those years has mostly consumed my recent weeks but wanting to express gratitude has been in the back of my mind the entire time. Thank you for this life altering vocation of service to the poor. I hope this simple “thank you” conveys all that I hope to express.

Sr. Martha Owen, O.S.U.

During this difficult time at our parish, St. Malachi Pastoral Parish Council would like to thank everyone for their continued prayers for Fr. Tony and we appreciate everyone being supportive of Fr. Mahoney, the parish staff and to each other.   We, the people of St. Malachi, find our true-identity as our Parish Mission Statement points out, a Eucharistic people, united in prayer, welcoming to all, serving those who are poor and in need.   Parish Council representatives have a scheduled meeting March 9^th with Fr. Dan Schlegel, Vicar for Clergy and Religious to discuss how difficult it has been on our parish since the fall due to the lack of transparency and our hopes that future communication would be direct and honest when handling similar situations in other parishes.  Parish Council will keep the parish apprised if we have more information.