Category Archives: Luncheon Speaker

February 6, 2025 – The 67th Annual Bishop’s Luncheon

Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, J.C.L.
12th Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland

67th Annual Bishop of Cleveland “State of The Diocese” Luncheon

Thursday, February 6, 2025
at
Windows on the River
2000 Sycamore Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Click here for sponsorship opportunities!

Join us for the 67th annual Bishop of Cleveland’s “State of the Diocese” lunch on Thursday, February 6, 2024 at Windows on the River!

Bishop Malesic was born August 14, 1960 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He is a 1978 graduate of Central Dauphin East High School in Harrisburg. He attended Lebanon Valley College in Annville pursuing a degree in biology for three years prior to entering the seminary. In 1981, Bishop Malesic was accepted into the seminary program at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1983. He continued his theological studies at Josephinum and was awarded a Master of Divinity in 1987.

Bishop Malesic was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1987 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 1996, Bishop Nicholas Dattilo sent him to study canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where he received his licentiate in canon law in 1998. Bishop Malesic served the Diocese of Harrisburg’s Tribunal in various capacities until he was named Bishop of Greensburg, appointed by Pope Francis in 2015. On September 14, 2020, Bishop Malesic was installed as the 12th Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.

In addition to leading the Diocese of Cleveland, Bishop Malesic is also a member of two USCCB (United States Catholic Council of Bishops) committees – the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance and the Subcommittee for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.

Sponsorship Information

Individual ticket sales will open in early December, after the sponsorship period is complete.

January 9, 2025 – Peter Range, Senior Fellow at the Center for Christian Virtue

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring

Peter Range
Center for Christian Virtue, Senior Fellow for Strategic Initiatives

Prior to coming to the Center for Christian Virtue, Peter was the Executive Director of Ohio Right to Life after serving for 7 years as the Director of the Office for Life and Justice of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Toledo. Peter was promoted to Chief Executive Officer eight months into his tenure with the Ohio Right to Life. Peter hosts his own radio show called “Say Yes to Life,” which airs in both Ohio and Michigan.

Peter graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Masters in Theology with a focus in Biblical Studies in 2009. Preceding Notre Dame, Peter received his Bachelor of Arts in History from John Carroll University in 2004. Peter’s history of ministry work includes serving immigrant families, inner-city youth, university students and the homeless.

Peter is passionate about family, service, and encountering the one true God, Jesus Christ. Peter married his wife, Laura, in May of 2015. They reside in Northwest Ohio, and they have five children. (https://www.ccv.org/peter-range)

Presenting
Rebuilding Culture

WHEN
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

October 31, 2024 High School Student Panel moderated by Frank O’Linn

Reserve Your Spot Today
You’re Invited to Join thefor our Luncheon on
Thursday, October 31, 2024
for a High School Student Panel
moderated byDr. Frank O’Linn
Superintendent of Schools for the
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland

More Information Coming Soon

WHEN
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary
Founders Hall
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

Reserve Your Spot Today

December 5, 2024 John Czarnetzky, Dean & CEO Ave Maria School of Law

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring
John Czarnetzky
Dean & CEO, Ave Maria School of Law

Dean Czarnetzky is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S., 1982, Chemistry) and the University of Virginia (J.D., 1989).

Before law school, Dean Czarnetzky was an officer in the United States Army, where he served as an intelligence analyst, specializing in foreign chemical, biological and nuclear capabilities. After law school, he practiced bankruptcy and commercial law with Sidley & Austin in Chicago, and McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe in Richmond, Virginia.

Dean Czarnetzky joined the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1994, teaching courses in bankruptcy, corporate reorganizations, secured transactions, civil procedure, and business associations. At “Ole Miss”, he was the five time winner of the “Outstanding Law School Professor”, and in 2016, he was the recipient of the Elsie M. Hood Award for the “outstanding professor at the University of Mississippi,” the highest honor awarded to faculty members at the University of Mississippi.

Dean Czarnetzky also serves as a legal adviser to the Holy See’s Mission to the United Nations, representing the Holy See in negotiations, including establishing the International Criminal Court and several international treaties, including one on the rights of persons with disabilities.

Dean Czarnetzky is a lay member of the Dominican Order and a third-degree Knight of Columbus.

Presenting

American Legal Education – The Catholic Solution

on
Thursday, December 5, 2024

WHEN
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

October 3, 2024 presents “Spiritual Warfare for Halloween” with Fr. Douglas Brown, Pastor, Mary Queen of Peace

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring

Fr. Doug Brown
Pastor, Mary Queen of Peace

Father Douglas Brown was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cleveland in May 2006. His first assignment was Saint Basil the Great in Brecksville where he also assisted at Saint Catherine Church in Cleveland. In April 2010, Father Brown became the first pastor of the newly-merged parish of Corpus Christi and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mary Queen of Peace. Father Brown has served on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council since 2015 and presently serves as a Chaplain for the Cleveland Division of Police, the Cleveland Division of Fire, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Cleveland Metroparks Police Department as well as Chaplain for AM 1260 The Rock, Cleveland’s Catholic Radio

Presenting

Spiritual Warfare for Halloween
on
Thursday, October 3, 2024

WHEN
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

August 1, 2024 Sir Jeffrey Abood presents on the Christian Condition in the Holy Land

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring
Sir Jeffrey Abood, KGCHS

Sir Jeffrey Abood is a Knight in the Equestrian of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was knighted in 2010 by the Vatican. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is an Order of Knights in continuous service to the Pope since 1133. Their mission is “to support the Christian communities and help uphold the rights of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land”. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/oessh/en/subindex_en.html

Sir Jeffrey is a speaker and writer focusing on the Catholic Christian communities in the Holy Land. His written works include A Great Cloud of Witnesses: The Catholic Churches’ Experience in the Holy Land. He also edited the book, Is Peace Possible, by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land for its’ North American release.

Sir Jeffrey also services on the Board of the Caritas Baby Hospital Foundation in Bethlehem. Additionally, he coordinates a support program for Holy Family school and summer camp in Gaza, and mentors young people in Gaza on their writing skills.

Sir Jeffrey Abood will Present
The Christian Condition in the Holy Land
on
Thursday, August 1, 2024

WHEN
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

September 5, 2024 Fr. Larry Richards What Does It Mean to be a Disciple?

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring
Fr. Larry Richards

Presenting
What Does it Mean to be a Disciple?
on
Thursday, September 5, 2024

A gifted and captivating speaker, preacher, retreat master, and author, Fr. Larry Richards holds the answer to some of life’s most profound questions. He speaks from experience as a pastor of an inner city parish, a high school chaplain, a counselor, and evangelist. Fr. Larry Richards has directed thousands of retreats, parish missions, and conferences for young and old alike. His inspirational talks, presentations, and books always authentic and enthusiastic, have changed the hearts, minds, and lives of millions of listeners, and readers worldwide.

Father Larry Richards was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After high school, he attended the college seminary at Gannon University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mental Health in 1983. Father Larry Richards continued his studies at the major seminary at St. Vincent in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and received his Masters of Divinity degree in 1987. He also studied Liturgy at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1989 for the Diocese of Erie, Fr. Larry Richards served as a pastor for the last 22 years. He is also the Founder of the DME (Divine Mercy Encounter) Retreat Program for the Diocese of Erie.

Fr. Larry Richards is the founder and president of The Reason for our Hope Foundation, a non- profit organization dedicated to ‘spreading the Good News’ by educating others about Jesus Christ.

https://www.thereasonforourhope.org/meet-father-larry/

WHEN
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

July 11, 2024 Laura Bartchak presents Responding to Human Trafficking

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring
Laura Bartchak

Director and Founder of the Harriet Tubman Movement

Laura Bartchak is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Harriet Tubman Movement. The Harriet Tubman Movement is an advocacy group dedicated to helping people along the road to freedom. This group serves persons who have been victims of human trafficking – sex trafficking, prostitution, and other forms of exploitation. (https://www.harriettubmanmovement.org/ )

Presents
Human Trafficking in Ohio and Local Efforts to Assist Victims
on
Thursday, July 11, 2024
(IMPOTANT NOTE
This month’s First Friday Luncheon will be on
the second Thursday due to the July 4th Holiday)

WHEN
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

June 6, 2024 Fr. Nathan Cromly presents “Devotion to The Sacred Heart of Jesus”

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring Fr. Nathan Cromly
Congregation of St. John

Presents
Devotion to The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Thursday, June 6, 2024

Father Nathan Cromly is a nationally known speaker, writer, retreat leader, explorer, innovator, educator, and he is totally devoted to Our Lady. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, he has joyfully served as a Catholic priest of the Brothers of Saint John since 2007, and currently ministers in Denver, Colorado. Father Nathan’s teaching and dynamic witness has touched the lives of tens of thousands of teenagers, married couples, families, and business professionals. Father Nathan is the President and Founder of the Saint John Institute whose ministries have been inspiring, equipping and engaging Catholics since 2003. There are three integrated ministries: Eagle Eye Ministries whose outreach and formation to young adults through retreats and excursions inspires them to lead; the Saint John Leadership Institute that equips adults to lead through in-person courses and on-line classes and webinars; and the Saint John Leadership Network that engages business and family leaders to Dare Great Things for Christ by integrating Catholic leadership into the family, culture and professional world through formation, fellowship and prayer.

WHEN
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

May 2, 2024 First Friday Luncheon Father Damian Ference presents “The Real Presence in a Year of Eucharistic Revival”

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring Fr. Damian Ference
Vicar for Evangelization
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Presents

Thursday, May 2, 2024

“The Real Presence
in the Year of Eucharistic Revival”

RSVP Today! to Save Your Spot

WHEN
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m.
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Borromeo/Saint Mary Seminary
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

Fr. Damian Ference is a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland where he serves as Vicar for Evangelization, Secretary for Parish Life and Special Ministries, and as Professor of Philosophy at Borromeo Seminary. He holds a licentiate in philosophy from The Catholic University of America and a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He writes regularly on the intersection of faith and culture for a variety of outlets and is the author of the award-winning book, The Strangeness of Truth (Pauline Books & Media, 2019). Fr. Ference is the founder and director of {TOLLE LEGE} Summer Institute and is a life-time member of the Flannery O’Connor Society. You can follow him on Twitter @frference.
Taken from: https://www.wordonfire.org/author/fr-damian-ference/

Peter Range Center for Christian Virtue, Senior Fellow for Strategic Initiatives

Presenting Rebuilding Culture

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Thursday, May 2, 2024

“The Real Presence in the Year of Eucharistic Revival”

Peter Range
Center for Christian Virtue, Senior Fellow for Strategic Initiatives

Presenting
Rebuilding Culture

Your Invited
Sign Up Today!

“The Real Presence
in the Year of Eucharistic Revival”