The Church is currently working on the process of canonization of six African Americans. Learn about their remarkable fidelity by picking up “Steps to Becoming a Saint” at the doors of the church.
Their stories and a prayer for their canonization is included! May they inspire our faith in action!
November 19, 2023 meeting held at 6:30 PM in the St. Malachi Meeting Room
Attending: Fr. Michael Gurnick, Judy Slivka, Cathy Graham, Jan Durkalski, Margaret Armstead, Claudia Cabrera, Matt Hils, Jackie Krejcik, Sharon Lowe-Chapman, Mike Pellegrino, Peter Toomey, Jeff Walters Absent: Hollis Johnson Guests: Christy Bartley
Opening Prayer: Margaret Armstead
Education & Enrichment:
Report from ST. Patrick/St. Malachi Integrated Steering Committee, Jan Durkalski
Saturday, Nov. 4
Introductory meeting at St. Patrick to discuss purpose and procedures.
Rosie Dolan-Baker, our facilitator and consultant, shared plan that in the future, 5-6 focus teams will be formed with representation from both parishes.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, Zoom
Discussed clarity and focus on our task to bring the two parishes together to create and continue a strong presence in our neighborhood and continue our ministries.
Continued with our consultant to define vision and goals, roles for committee members.
Saturday, Nov. 18
Steering Committee members attended tours of the buildings and facilities at the site of both parishes.
Discussion:
Rectory Transaction Committee- Judy Slivka, Fr. Gurnick
Committee will take tour of the rectory. A Stella Maris proposal to purchase is expected.
Chats with Council- Cathy Graham
Chats scheduled monthly on third weekend, published in bulletin and announced at Mass. Council members will be available following Mass at Sunday coffee hour and in the church after Mass on Saturday. Questions and concerns will be shared with Executive Committee of Parish Council, and then either discussed at Parish Council meeting or directed to Fr. Gurnick, St. Malachi staff or ministry/group.
Ministerial Leadership Mtg.- Judy Slivka
Meeting proposed for Feb., 24, 2024. Planning group will meet the first week of December.
Diocesan Policy on Human Sexuality and Gender- Judy Slivka, Jackie Krejcik
Notes from the Parish Conversations held on Oct. 22, 2023 were shared with council. Council affirmed the St. Malachi Mission Statement and will continue to discuss how to be more welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. Council will plan with parish members and then schedule an open meeting to explore how St. Malachi can exemplify the teachings of Jesus and be more pastoral in our relationships with our members.
Administrator’s Report from Fr. Gurnick:
Fr. Gurnick shared information regarding his trip to Fatima and the Holy Land. Fr. Gurnick proposed scheduling an annual mass for Anointing of the Sick.
Closing Prayer: Margaret Armstead Next Council Meeting: January 2, 2024
Respectfully submitted, Jan Durkalski
A group has been journeying in faith, prayer, and discussion since early September. These “inquirers” are taking the next step called the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens and the Rite of Welcome as Baptized Candidates seeking full communion in the Catholic Church. These Rites are celebrated at 11 AM Mass at St. Patrick on the First Sunday of Advent. Jeff Rotheram, Ryan Mann, and Joanne Butera will enter the Order of Catechumens. Wyatt Bensken will publicly become a Candidate for Full Communion. As they declare their intention, the Church accepts their commitment and pledges its support. The symbols of the Rite express its meaning. Catechumens and Candidates are greeted at the church door by the baptized community, where they are welcomed to enter. The threshold, or door, symbolizes transition into a new way of life in the Church. To enter the Church is to enter into Christ’s dying and rising. The signing with the cross of the bodies of the catechumens symbolizes their readiness to bear witness to Christ and walk in his ways. The Word of God and the Assembly reveal God’s presence in the good and the bad, as well as the need to be always nourished by His Word. The Catechumen is an official title in the Church, which means “one in whom the Word of God echoes.” Let us pray, celebrate, and give thanks for the work that God is doing!
Students in Grade 4, who have received Reconciliation and Communion are invited to serve at Mass. Your child can serve at the Mass your family normally attends. Training begins at monthly Family Mass this Fall or according to your family schedule this summer. Third graders can begin training in January 2024. Contact Fr Gurnick at 216-631-6872 or at mgurnick@dioceseofcleveland.org or Stephanie Pritts at stephanie.p@ stmalachi.org.
Liturgy Commisssion
Your Spiritual Development and Liturgy Commissions are working together to plan a Lenten Program for St Malachi members and friends. Your input from a “pew” survey will help direct the type of program. This will be based on the national effort for Eucharistic Revival. On the weekends of November 25/26, December 2/3, and December 9/10 a brief survey will be presented to attendees at the weekend liturgies. The information received will help to determine the type/style of the St Malachi program for Lent 2024. Details about “The Eucharistic Revival” will be given at the time of the survey. Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness and support. Blessings on your Thanksgiving celebrations and Advent time.
November 19, 2023
Dear Friends and Parishioners of Saint Malachi,
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. As a nation we give thanks to our dear Lord for the many blessings He continually bestows upon us.
Join us for Thanksgiving Day Mass at Saint Malachi Parish this Thursday, November 23, at 9:00am, followed by a light breakfast prepared by the Back Door Ministry.
Wherever you find yourselves on this special day, let us prayerfully join together:
Heavenly Father, as we gather on this day of Thanksgiving, we remember the words of Holy Scripture that call us to give thanks in all circumstances. Lord, we thank You for the countless blessings You have bestowed upon us, both in times of joy and in times of challenge.
We are grateful for the love of family and friends who surround us, for the food on our table, and for the shelter over our heads. Most of all, we thank You for Your presence in our lives, for Your grace, and for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Help us, dear Lord, to always maintain hearts filled with gratitude, not just on this special day but every day of our lives. May we continue to count it all joy and to give thanks in all things. In Jesus’ name, we offer this prayer of thanksgiving. Amen.
Gratefully yours in Christ,
Fr. Gurnick
Parish Council wants to hear from you! Please join us in the back of the church on Saturday after mass or Sunday in the hall for coffee hour. Parish Council members are eager to hear what is on your mind about St. Malachi Parish. Please bring ideas, concerns and questions with you (or simply say hello).
The program is designed to help married couples develop improved ways of communicating and relating to each other in order to overcome challenges which have left them feeling frustrated, hurt, distant, or even hopeless. Retrouvaille, which means rediscovery, is supported by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, and is open to couples of all faiths.
This program consists of a weekend experience and six follow up sessions. For more information concerning the program, or to register, visit www.helpourmarriage.org or call Shelly or Rob at 216.509.0301 or 440.836.4810.
At this time of the year, we give thanks for our God-given blessings. A gift through your will or planned gift expresses your gratitude for your faith and the Church community. To begin planning for your legacy, please visit https://www.catholiccommun ity.org/create-your-legacy. You may also contact Fr. Michael Gurnick at the parish office or Mary Lou Ozimek of the Catholic Community Foundation at (216) 696-6525 x4070 or mozimek@catholiccommunity.org for a confidential conversation.
The Rectory will be closed from Wednesday, Nov. 22nd to Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
May you and your family have blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
This weekend the #weGiveCatholic team will be at all the Masses at the Main Church Entrance and at Sunday Coffee Hour to accept Early Giving donations. #weGiveCatholic donation envelopes will be in the pews and at the doors of the church
