Superintendent Bulletin - April 4, 2011

Volume 9, Issue 17
April 4, 2011

St. Isadore of Seville, Patron of Computers and the Internet
“The 76 years of Isidore's life were a time of conflict and growth for the Church in Spain. The Visigoths had invaded the land a century and a half earlier and shortly before Isidore's birth they set up their own capital. They were Arians—Christians who said Christ was not God. Thus Spain was split in two: One people (Catholic Romans) struggled with another (Arian Goths).

Isidore reunited Spain, making it a center of culture and learning, a teacher and guide for other European countries whose culture was also threatened by barbarian invaders.

Born in Cartagena of a family that included three other saints, he was educated by his elder… brother, whom he succeeded as bishop of Seville. [His brother treated him abusively even as he ensured his marvelous education.]

An amazingly learned man, he was sometimes called "The Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages" because the encyclopedia he wrote was used as a textbook for nine centuries. He required seminaries to be built in every diocese, wrote a Rule for religious orders and founded schools that taught every branch of learning. Isidore wrote numerous books, including a dictionary, an encyclopedia, a history of Goths and a history of the world—beginning with creation! He completed the Mozarabic liturgy, which is still in use in Toledo, Spain. For all these reasons Isidore (as well as several other saints) has been suggested as patron of the Internet.
He continued his austerities even as he approached 80. During the last six months of his life, he increased his charities so much that his house was crowded from morning till night with the poor of the countryside.”
(From Americancatholic.org)

St. Isadore of Seville, pray for us, Catholic school educators in the Diocese of Cleveland.

Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
A seemingly lengthy Lenten season perhaps because it started later than in former years continues for three more weeks. As spring struggles to take a foothold, so we may struggle to remain on the path of our Lenten promises. Perhaps revisiting both the Holy Father’s and Bishop Lennon’s Lenten Messages would be a good idea.

I thank all those who joined our staff at the Rally on March 22 at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. The crowd of over 1,000 Catholic school supporters gave a clear message to our legislators that Catholic schools are important to the State of Ohio and that parents deserve the right to make the choice of school for their children. In addition, we championed the cause of HB 136 and SB 88 as well as line items GRF 511, Auxiliary Services and GRF 532, Administrative Cost Reimbursement. All students and their parents benefit from these funding initiatives. We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who were there, and to all of you who continue to invite legislators to your schools to promote support for Catholic education in Ohio.

You should have received a letter from Bishop Lennon dated March 23, 2011, regarding a convocation that will take place on Friday, August 12, 2011. You may recognize the date as one that usually would have been the date of our annual Plenary meeting. Bishop’s Convocation replaces that event, however, the Area Superintendents will hold their meetings with you immediately following the dismissal from Bishop’s session. No lunch will be provided. The schedule of the day is:

9:00 am          Eucharistic Liturgy
10:00 am           Break
10:30 am           Presentation
11:30 am           Question/Answer Forum
12:00 noon        Dismissal/Assemble for Area Principal Meetings

Marketing Minute #9
The majority of gifts to nonprofits come from those in relationship with the nonprofit, not from large corporations or philanthropic businesses.

Board members are generally the main source of financial support exclusive of parish offertory. Sometimes board members are parents, but non-parent members both lend objectivity and may have resources for financial assistance.

It’s important to meet board members on a one-to-one basis, to explain needs and expectations for the presence on the board. Board members don’t do our jobs; they support our mission and help us market our successes. They help us with policies and strategic planning.

Our individual attention to each board member can serve as an orientation that saves us in the future. As board members receive personal tours of the school and see happy faces on faculty and students, a friend is made.

Follow individual board member visits with notes signed by staff and/or written by students.

These board members will be present at events and continue to be generous long after a term of office.

April E-FOCUS is Now Online
The Catholic Conference of Ohio hopes that you will read our April E-FOCUS news update. This update addresses several timely issues that are currently being debated in the Ohio General Assembly. Such issues include the state budget, pro-life legislation, education, immigration, death penalty and collective bargaining.

Please link or copy into your browser:http://www.ohiocathconf.org/EFocus411.htm

The Catholic Conference of Ohio is the official representative of the Catholic Church in public matters affecting the Church and the general welfare of the citizens of Ohio.

For federal legislation, the Thomas Legislative Resources on the Internet: http://thomas.loc.gov/ is a good place to stay current on what is happening in Congress with regard to specific legislation.

Quire Cleveland Free Concert
Helen D. Schubert Concert Series <http://saintjohncathedral.com/Concerts/Concerts.html>
1007 Superior Ave (at E 9th St); Cleveland Ohio 44114-2582 presents a free concert, Quire Cleveland, April 13, 2011, Wednesday @ 7:30pm.
FREE admission; Free secure parking: Cathedral Garage on Rockwell Ave at E 9th Street.

Quire Cleveland is a professional choral ensemble, founded in 2008, which performs glorious choral masterpieces of the late Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. Members of the ensemble <http://quirecleveland.org/bios/> are soloists / choral leaders at many of the major churches in the greater Cleveland area. Under the direction of guest conductor Scott Metcalfe (music director of Blue Herron, Boston; and a member of Cleveland’s Les Délices), Quire Cleveland returns to the Cathedral in a program which explores the rich heritage of German choral music, from sacred songs and polyphony by Renaissance masters, to thrilling baroque works by Schütz, Pachelbel, and Bach.

Quire Cleveland <http://quirecleveland.org/>
Dr Ross Duffin <http://www.quirecleveland.org/bios/> , Artistic Director
Scott Metcalfe <http://www.blueheronchoir.org/director.html> , Guest Conductor
Lobet den Herrn: German Music for Quire

Tabor Fund Grant Awards Applications Now Being Accepted
Applications for Tabor Fund Grant Awards are now available for the 2010A cycle. Awards are intended to provide an opportunity for ministers to refresh and/or re-energize their spirituality, faith, mind and/or physical well being, as part of fostering personal development and improving their ministry.

Awards will be made in the following categories: Education and Formation, Sabbaticals and Retreats. Any bona fide employees (paid or volunteer), lay, deacons and religious who work in any recognized ministry within the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland; this includes parishes, religious orders, recognized ministries and offices of the Diocese. While priests cannot receive individual awards, they may participate in Education and Formation initiatives. The application deadline for the Tabor Fund Grant Awards Program is 15 April.

You may access the application and guidelines for each grant program by visiting www.catholiccommunity.org. Click on About Us/Grants/Grantmaking. Questions may be directed to Lauren Gannon at 216-696-6525, x4200 or lgannon@catholiccommunity.org.

Tabor Event Calendar (Tec) Awards
Tabor Event Calendar (TEC) awards are also available. These awards allow bona fide ministers to access programs at local retreat centers throughout the year. Applications are accepted year-round.

First Communicants Invited to Join Cathedral Corpus Christi Procession
Children who received First Holy Communion during this school year are invited to participate in a procession at the Cathedral on the Vigil of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Children are asked to wear their First Communion clothing. Children will participate in the entrance procession of the Mass. The procession will take place on Saturday, 25 June 2011 at 4:30 pm. After Mass the children and their families will be encouraged to tour the Cathedral. Pastors, Principals, and DREs are asked to announce this to the families of children who have received First Communion during this school year. Please call the Cathedral Rectory Office at 216-771-6666, ext. 4700 by
22 June to indicate the number of children who will join the procession from your parish.

Sacrament Of Confirmation
Bishop Richard G. Lennon will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. John Cathedral on Saturday, 11 June 2011, the Vigil of the Solemnity of Pentecost, at the 4:30 pm Mass. If you have candidates who are unable to participate at the Confirmation Ceremony at their own parish, please contact the Cathedral Rectory at 216-771-6666, ext. 4700. The Cathedral began the practice of celebrating Confirmation many years ago for adult candidates and to assist parishes when a small number of candidates could not be confirmed at their parish as planned because of illness, family travel, or other unexpected events. The requirements are:

An Invitation to a Forum on Lawns and Landscapes without Chemicals
Fabulous Lawns and Landscapes Without Chemicals: Transitioning to Cost-Effective, Organic Landscape Management is a presentation of the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Beyond Pesticides Ohio.

When: Friday, April 29, 2011, 8am-12pm

Where: Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106

Fee:                  $25/member; $35/nonmember
                                Includes parking and light refreshments
                        Continuing education credits available

Please register in advance by calling 216.721.1600 extension 100.
Online at <http://www.cbgarden.org/Events/LawnsLandscapeswithoutchemicals.html>

The forum will demonstrate that we can have beautiful and healthy lawns, landscapes, and public spaces without relying on toxic pesticides and herbicides. Speakers include:

Hard As Nails Ministry
Hard As Nails ministry is a group of young people who present to youth in school assemblies, etc. They are coming to Sagrada Familia (they can do bi-lingual) and the PA region and are interested in presenting to some of our schools. When they are in a region, they try to make the best of the time and present to multiple sites. Their website is: http://www.hanm.org/ Please visit the site for who they are, what they do and also the dates of their performances. They also have multiple examples of their performances. You might be interested in engaging them for your school. You can register online on the site.

Attention Principals, Teachers and Music Teachers
The Saint Cecilia Foundation is back again to help support and promote music and music education in the Catholic Community. As a Foundation, it continues to distribute funds to many different schools. These funds have been used to help support school music programs and to promote music in the Catholic schools. The Foundation is currently accepting requests for the 2011/2012 school year.

Some examples of ways these funds were used in the past include help in:
• purchasing instruments
• purchasing music and music stands, music books and aids for general teachers that may
not have a music teacher available in their school
• things that promote music and music education in the Catholic community

Please note, that the Foundation has limited funds and that it will be evaluating many requests. It will try to help as many groups as possible.

For more information about the Foundation please visit: http://www.stceciliafoundation.org/ or e-mail Kate Brown, President of Saint Cecilia Foundation at: kb@stceciliafoundation.org

Please e-mail your requests to Kate Brown as well. Please include the following information in your request:

CLA Spring Workshop
The Catholic Library Association, Northern Ohio Chapter Spring Workshop is being held at Benedictine High School on Thursday, 14 April, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. The topic: "21st Century Learning Skills" presented by Jennifer Schwelik from WVIZ-TV. Registration is 12:30, main session 1:00 to 2:30pm, followed by refreshment break, short business meeting, and idea sharing among elementary and secondary level attendees. Cost is $12 for members, $15 for non-members. (NOCCLA membership is $10). Make reservations by 4 April through Paul Pojman, Treasurer, at pep216@sbcglobal.net. Attendees may pay at the door with cash or check. Address questions to Sr. Madeline Muller, HM at mmulle8@yahoo.com.

LifeWorks Ohio Art and Essay Contest
Over 2,000 students in grades 4 through 12 representing 40 schools across northeast Ohio participated in LifeWorks Ohio's 23rd Annual Respect Life Art and Essay Contest. The contest theme was taken from Matthew 25:40: " . . . whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." LifeWorks Ohio Executive Director Anne Robins commented, "I am always amazed at the insight and perception each student brings to our scriptural theme. This year's focus was on the unborn, elderly and disabled as among those whom Jesus considers 'the least of these.'

The students did a remarkable job of picking up on this fact. Their artistic and written expressions reveal how critically important it is for followers of Christ to help and defend these most vulnerable and precious members of our society." Cash prizes, ribbons and certificates will be given to the winning students during an inspiring Award Ceremony this weekend. Winning student artwork will be on display as well. Twelve student entries will be selected at a later date and featured in the 2012 LifeWorks Ohio calendar. LifeWorks Ohio wishes to congratulate the following schools who participated in this year's competition. We commend their commitment to promote a culture of Life among their students through this contest.

Academy of St. Bartholomew
Archbishop Hoban High School
Assumption Academy
Gesu School
Holy Family School, Parma
Holy Family School, Stow
Incarnate Word Academy
Lake Catholic High School
Magnificat High School
Mater Dei Academy
Padua Franciscan High School
Sacred Heart of Jesus Academy
St. Albert The Great School
St. Ambrose School
St. Bernadette School
St. Clare School
St. Francis de Sales School, Akron
St. Francis of Assisi School
St. Francis Xavier
St. Helen School
St. Joseph School, Avon Lake
St. Mary Byzantine Catholic School
St. Mary of the Falls School
St. Mary School, Berea
St. Mary School, Chardon
St. Mary School, Elyria
St. Monica School
St. Paschal Baylon School
St. Peter Chanel High School
St. Raphael School
St. Rocco School
Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School
Westside Catholic Academy

Summit County Children's Services Annual Child Abuse Awareness Campaign Winners
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS, TEACHERS AND PRINCIPAL:

Teigan Franjesh
3rd Grade, St. Hilary School
Honorable Mention, Poster/Slogan Contest
“A Family is a Snowflake, the Most Unique One of All”
Teacher: Mrs. Metzger
Principal: Dr. Patricia Nugent

Emma Coley
8th Grade, St. Joseph School
First Place, Storybook Contest
Teacher: Mrs. Watson
Principal: Deacon Robert Kuchanski

Noelle Zielinski
7th Grade, St. Joseph School
First Place, PSA Contest
Teacher: Robin Cottrill
Principal: Deacon Robert Kuchanski

Anna Lambert
7th Grade, St. Joseph School
Second Place, PSA Contest
Teacher: Robin Cottrill
Principal: Deacon Robert Kuchanski

Carlin V. & Megan N.
8th Grade, St. Barnabas School
Third Place, PSA Contest (both worked on it together)
Teacher: Carol Dean
Principal: Kimberly Browning

Christina Dickos
12th Grade, Archbishop Hoban High School
Second Place, Poetry Contest
Teacher: Br. Philip Smith
Principal: Dr. Mary Ann Beiting

Deanna Klettlinger
12th Grade, Archbishop Hoban High School
Third Place, Poetry Contest (TIE)
Teacher: Br. Philip Smith
Principal: Dr. Mary Ann Beiting