General Minutes from Lake/Geauga District Meeting

September 11, 2017

Prayer/Lunch/Welcome from Father Sweany(We had 65members attend)

Bishop Cosgrove Center Presentation – Meghan McGuan

This center, located on Superior Avenue in Cleveland is one of the largest day drop-in centers in the greater Cleveland area. Under the leadership of Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland, the purpose of Cosgrove is to serve as a safe haven to the community. Meghan provided stories and insights into the guests and volunteers of Cosgrove as well as the mission and needs of the center. Find out more at the link below:

Introductions/Announcements

Divine Word – New Parish Secretary is Helen Petruziello
Immaculate Conception Willoughby – new parochial vicar Fr. Dennis McNeil, Sr. Josephine Rasoamampionon is new Parish Catechetical Leader.
St. Anselm – Pastoral Associate Jean Fitzgerald is retiring after 21 years at the parish. We offer her our best wishes in her new life chapter & thank her for her many, many years of service to our District, especially as a past District Chair.
St. Anthony – participating in the Peace Pole Project. Information available on Facebook at the following link. Steve Biro is moving from Youth Minister to Parish Catechetical Leader.
St. Bede –Sarah Liptak is new Youth Minister
St. Francis of Assisi – Brian Petro, Seminarian will be doing an internship.
St. Helen – Leslie Linsky, receptionist – and James Hogan, Director of Evangelization
St. John Vianney – Fr. Peter Morris new parochial vicar and Connie Frustere is new PSR secretary
St. Noel – new youth minister – Kaitlyn Chervenak
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – Richard Samide, seminarian doing an internship andJoe Costello is new Youth Minister.

Presbyteral Update – Fr. Tom Behrend

It was recommended by the president of the Presbyteral Council that Bishop Perez meet with all the priests and he said that this was a good idea, but in addition he wants to celebrate Mass at 10 Parishes in the Diocese. The Lake Geauga date for this Mass is Tuesday, October 17th at St. Mary in Chardon with a public social after. Priests are to meet at 4:30 for prayer and dinner with Mass at 7pm. With 20 parishes and a 900 seating max in the church, it is recommended that every parish invite 50 to attend. No tickets will be utilized. Look for a letter to arrive this week detailing the specifics. A question was raised as to the expense sharing of the event, and Fr. Behrend will get that information and send it out as well.

District Collaboration

District Chair Update – Maureen was privileged to represent the District Chairs at Bishop Perez Installment Mass and greet him during the liturgy. Two letters were sent to the Bishop congratulating him on behalf of the District and also inviting him to our Ministry Discipleship Conference. In addition,Maureen received an e-mail from the Bishop’s administrative assistant asking for our District dates and locations and stating that she will keep the District Chairs informed about meeting. That is very encouraging.
Ministry Discipleship Conference – October 7th. Brochures were distributed in the parish packets and online conference registrations are available on the Lake Geauga District website. Lots of work has gone into the planning – with 12 breakouts and a keynote from Fr. George Smiga, Pastor at St. Noel. Pastries/coffee and a light lunch included. Please strongly encourage your leaders, staff, and volunteers to attend – there is a nominal fee of $10 to attend.
Resource Book – This document (link available through the Lake Geauga Website on St. Gabriel’s home page) is for all the parishes of the District to use. Currently approximately 30% of parishes have updated this in the past two years. Maureen asked for thoughts and ideas as to what the group would like to see. We will adjust the form, and reach out more directly to Parish Secretaries to have information updated more timely. But we don’t want to put a lot of time in contacting every parish if this document is not a benefit. We can update the format to something more efficient, but the time it would take to ensure all 20 parishes update the document, and then change the format is doable as long as it is advantageous for parishes. St. John Vianney, St. Anselm, and St. Gabriel reported that they use it extensively. It was determined that Allison will follow up with parishes who have not updated the document and then we will go from there.

Hildegarden – Dr. Shanon Sterringer

Shanon presented the mission and focus of the Hildegarden in Fairport Harbor. Sunday, September 17th is the celebration of their one-year anniversary and various activities are planned. Shanon had handouts of the Schedule of the day. Parishes in our district have already utilized the Hildegarden for retreats and workshops. Please visit their website at

Shanon also received a prestigious award. She was selected for Inclusion in the Trademark Women of Distinction Honors.

Announcements – see the District Website for full details.

Social Justice – Kelly Davis – Presented information on current support for Immigration and Opiod Education. Please contact your congress people to support the Dream Act. We stand with the Dreamers. Links for details are on the District Website.
Divorced and Separated – Father Fred – New schedule is out. First Support Group at St. Mary, Chardon begins on September 21. New board members needed. Thanks for your support.

Closing Prayer Experience

Next Lake/Geauga District Meeting is November 13 -11:45 am
Immaculate Conception, Madison

Maureen D. Dowd

St. Gabriel Church, Pastoral Associate

Lake Geauga District Chairperson

9925 Johnnycake Ridge Rd.

Concord Township, Ohio 44060

(440) 352-8282