Condition of this Website – We are sorry to say that this website is not working properly due to several circumstances. This page is the only one we can partially update. Some links on other pages are broken and cannot be fixed. The good news is that we are cooperating with the national Church office in a grand plan to have websites of interested dioceses and parishes be part of the national Church’s website. So we are staying here for now and are ready to make the migration as soon as it is possible. We do not know how long of a process this will be, so we are grateful for your patience!
Events
March 29 – Western Seniorate Lent Retreat
March 31 to April 2 – National Mission and Evangelism meeting (Scranton, PA)
April 5 – Diocesan Youth meeting at 3pm (et) on Zoom
April 13 – Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week
April 15 – Chrism Mass / Blessing of Oils at St. Mary’s Parish, Parma, OH at 4pm (et)
April 20 – May We Celebrate our Risen Lord! Happy Easter!
April 26 – PNCC Scholars Conference in person and on Zoom
April 29 & 30 – Supreme Council meeting in Chicago
May 7 – Bp. Kardas Home meeting at 7pm (et) on Zoom
May 12 to 14 – Diocesan Clergy Retreat and Conference
May 16 to 18 – YMSR Bowling Tournament in Hamtramck, MI
May 30 to June 1 – Mission and Evangelism Workshop in Denver, CO
June 18 to 21 – YMSR Men’s Retreat in Waymart, PA
July 21 to 24 – Diocesan Youth Gathering in Morgantown, IN
News
Diocesan Youth Gathering – Registration materials are being sent for our upcoming Diocesan Youth Gathering which will be held July 21-24 at Walnut Ridge Retreat Center in Morgantown, IN. The cost is only $150 which includes all meals, activities, fun and more! Please meet with your youth, make plans, and return the forms by May 31, as the prices will increase to $200 after that. We look forward to seeing youth from all of our parishes at this great event!
Lent – Lent gives us an opportunity to become closer to God through an increase of prayer, devotion and services. Please consider beginning a renewed journey with God this season of Lent.
NC 1700 – Did you know that the Nicene Creed which we recite every Sunday was developed at the Council of Nicea in 325? If you are good at math, that’s 1700 years ago! Our Church is commemorating 1700 years of this important document through a series of events which we will make known to you. May we Give Thanks to God every time we recite this wonderful summary of our Christian Faith!
Chrism Mass / Blessing of Oils – This year’s Chrism Mass will take place on Tuesday April 15 at St. Mary’s Parish in Parma, OH, beginning at 4pm (ET). Clergy are asked to bring their albs, as Mass will be concelebrated, with Prime Bishop Anthony as celebrant. The oils that are used in various sacraments in our diocesan parishes will be blessed during this Mass. All are welcome to attend and be part of this important and interesting event!
Clergy Retreat and Conference – This year’s diocesan clergy retreat and conference will take place May 12-14 at the Lindenwood Retreat Center in Donaldson (Plymouth) IN. All diocesan pastors within reasonable driving distance are expected to attend, at least on May 13. Deacons and reserve priests are not required to attend, but they are most welcome!
Registration materials will be sent out to all clergy soon.
Lent Retreats
March 29 – Western Seniorate Lent Retreat
Outreach Ideas
The Western Diocese Outreach Team has been meeting regularly since the XIXth Western Diocesan Synod held in October 2024. Each month we hope to provide one or two “Monthly Tips” for each parish to concentrate on during the month. Developing new ideas and tools are crucial for internal and external mission, and we pray that our Monthly Tips will enable your parish to glorify God and serve your members and community. Tip 1: MEMBERSHIP ROSTER: Create a membership roster if your parish does not already have one. This can be as simple as an area where all the contact information for its members are kept. Given today’s technology, it is recommended to have a digital repository for this information so it can easily be maintained and updated. If you need any assistance in this regard, please reach out to Father Senior Charles Zawistowski at smparmail@gmail.com . Tip 2: OUTREACH CALLS: Make phone calls to inactive members who may not be coming to church. Perhaps they are shut-ins, homebound, going through a season of illness, or are just too busy with outside activities and life in general. Reach out to your inactive parishioners and engage them in a pleasant conversation, offering to include them on a prayer list for any needs they may have, letting them know that they are missed, encouraging them to return to church if they are able, and offer communion brought by the pastor. These calls can be made by fellow lay people and not necessarily a member of the clergy. Ask the members to confirm their current mailing address, email address and phone numbers (land line and cell phones). With this information, you can easily update and maintain your membership roster. May God bless your parish and its members as you continue to build God’s Kingdom here on Earth!