Reflections
Future Directions
Update From The President
Leonard M. Calabrese
This is an exciting time for Catholic Community Connection. We
adopted a new name to better emphasize the common Catholic identity of all our members and
their shared mission to work together for the common good of all people in the
Diocese of Cleveland, especially the poor and vulnerable. Catholic
Community Connection is made up of Catholic sponsored ministries in
health care, social services, long term care, senior living and higher
education.
A strategic planning process has recently been completed. A key
direction for the year emphasizes marketing and outreach of the entire network that is
Catholic Community Connection. That outreach is:
- for the sake of mission, to have a continuum of care and a more integrated delivery of care for those in need.
- for the sake of the good news, that Catholic social ministry is vibrant and extensive across the Diocese of Cleveland.
- for the sake of our brothers and sisters who are sick, suffering, in need or vulnerable, and for the common good of our region.
Another key component of the strategic plan is educational and training presentations and programs. This Annual Symposium on Innovation and Collaboration in Social Ministry is one such example, as are offerings on Catholic social teaching, spirituality and what Bishop Lennon (talked about last year) characterizes as wellness, wholeness and holiness.
A leadership development program incorporating Catholic identity and values that was originally designed by John Carroll University for Catholic Charities is now under the auspices of Catholic Community Connection. In the fall of 2008, this program was offered to all of the members of Catholic Community Connection. This will be one of the very few leadership development programs in the United States involving Catholic Charities, Catholic health care, Catholic long-term care facilities, nursing homes and senior living conducted in conjunction with Catholic colleges. That says something about Catholic social ministry in our Diocese, about the commitment to collaboration and the leadership that we have across the spectrum of Catholic institutions carrying out the social mission of the Church.
Pope Benedict XVI wrote in Deus Caritas Est, his first encyclical, that social ministry is as vital for our faith and identity as Catholics as sacred scripture and the sacraments. In the Cleveland Diocese, one can see first hand how the teaching, healing and caring ministry of Jesus is being carried out every day by dedicated leaders and professionals. It is a great story of Christian love being put into action. Catholic Community Connection is proud to be part of it and will be working in the months and years ahead to help more Catholics learn more about all of these remarkable ministries.
This website along with a brochure and DVDs will share this good news with parishes, schools and organizations, as well as with those in the wider community. We have a lot of work to do. We ask for your prayers, patience and cooperation
- Catholic Cemeteries Association
- Catholic Charities Health and Human Services
- Holy Family Hospice
- Jennings Center for Older Adults
- John Carroll University
- Light of Hearts Villa
- Mount Alverna Village
- Mount St. Joseph
- Notre Dame College
- Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union
- Regina Health Campus
- St. Augustine Health Campus
- St. Barnabas Villa
- St. John Medical Center
- St. Mary of the Woods
- St. Vincent Charity Medical Center
- Sisters of Charity Health System
- The Village at Marymount
- The Village at St. Edward
- Ursuline College