There has been a recent addition to broaden our access to news around the diocese providing a deeper insight into the event in our schools and parishes. The recently constructed TV production studio in the downtown offices of the Diocese of Cleveland allows staff members from the Office of Communications the opportunity to provide some new and exciting programming. The new studio has the technology to produce and share with the faithful, inspiring video stories of the good works being done throughout the eight-county diocese. One of the first projects is a pilot news program, “Northeast Ohio Catholic Report,” which supplements the bimonthly diocesan magazine, Northeast Ohio Catholic.
A few months ago, producers began working on a concept for the new program and story selection. The pilot episode captures some of the key events that occurred during the first and second quarters of the year. The goal is to launch a quarterly episode as a video companion to Northeast Ohio Catholic, the largest diocesan magazine in the country. The program has three main anchor elements that will be recurring segments: “Shepherding with Gladness,” “Spotlight on Schools” and “Fitness & Faith.” Please check out this new feature at the diocesan web site: dioceseofcleveland.org.
“Shepherding with Gladness” highlights of some of Bishop Edward Malesic’s activities, providing a video snapshot of some of the faces and places he has seen at various liturgies, visits, and events throughout the diocese.
“Spotlight on Schools” is designed to provide updates on funding, enrollment, and activities at the 106 schools in the diocese. The segment also could feature student-produced content from local schools. In the coming months, the diocesan production team plans to work with a few schools as test sites.
The “Fitness & Faith” segment evolved from a suggestion made by some local priests who are avid runners and others in the diocese who embrace fitness and good nutrition as part of their spiritual growth. In addition to highlighting stories about the synergy between physical and spiritual fitness, producers also plan to work with members of the Cleveland Guild of the Catholic Medical Association to create stories that provide medically sound fitness and nutrition information.
Another bit of diocesan news is the appointment of a new auxiliary bishop for our diocese. On May 9, Pope Francis appointed Fr. Michael Woost to be the auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Cleveland. Fr. Woost serves on the faculty of St. Mary Seminary in Wickliffe and is the interim director of the Office of Liturgy for the diocese. Bishop-elect Woost, 63, is a graduate of Saint Ignatius High School, Borromeo, and Saint Mary seminaries. He earned a licentiate in sacred theology from The Catholic University of America and was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1984. After ordination, he served as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Madison and co-director of the diocesan Vocations Office before taking on his roles at the seminary. Bishop-elect Woost is the second of seven sons of the late Carl and Norine Woost. Two of his brothers also are diocesan priests, Father David Woost, pastor of Divine Word Parish in Kirtland, and Father Tom Woost, pastor of St. Brendan Parish and administrator of St. Richard Parish, both in North Olmsted. Another brother, Jon and his wife Carrie are members of Sacred Heart Parish. Jon just finished his aspirant year as he discerns a vocation in the permanent diaconate for the diocese, keep him in your prayers. Please keep Bishop-elect Woost in your prayers as he begins his ministry as a bishop. He will be ordained to the episcopate on August 4, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. May God bless him and guide him as he ministers to the Church of Cleveland.
Please continue to pray for a greater respect for all human life from the moment of conception to natural death. Life is a precious gift from God and no one has the right to end another person’s life. Pray too, that the Supreme Court will indeed strike down the Supreme Court decision of January 22, 1973, Roe vs. Wade. Over 60 million children have been killed under this ruling that states that a woman has the “right” to kill her unborn child. If Roe vs. Wade is overturned, it will not end abortion in our country, but it will give each state the ability to make laws regulating abortion and thus increase the number of children who will be assured of their God-given right to live their lives. May God watch over and guide all who must make difficult decisions concerning human life so that they may live out His way of love for all of God’s children.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR: THE FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART WILL BE CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY, JUNE 26, WITH A MASS AT 5:00 PM FOLLOWED BY A PARISH COOKOUT TO BE HELD IN THE PAVILION IN THE NORTH PARKING LOT BY THE WAREHOUSE, WEATHER PERMITTING. WE WILL PROVIDE THE HAMBURGERS AND HOT DOGS AND WE ASK THOSE ATTENDING TO BRING SIDE DISHES TO SHARE. THERE WILL BE BEER AND MUSIC AS WELL AS GAMES FOR THE KIDS. SO PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND WITH YOUR FAMILIES. IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS ON OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO AT THE PARISH PICNIC, LET ME KNOW. SO PLEASE SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 26 AT 5:00 PM.
