Category Archives: Luncheon Speaker

May 1, 2025 – Fr. Andrij Hlabse, S.J.

The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring

Fr. Andrij Hlabse, SJ

Fr. Andrij M. Hlabse, S.J., is a Ukrainian Greek-Catholic priest and a Jesuit. He was born and raised outside of Cleveland, Ohio, where there is a large Ukrainian community; his family practiced the Catholic faith in both the Byzantine and Latin Rites. Fr. Andrij completed a BA in music performance (as a jazz saxophonist) and romance languages and literatures at the University of Notre Dame in 2006. After entering the Society of Jesus in 2007, Fr. Andrij earned an MA in philosophical resources from Fordham University, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, and a Licentiate in Eastern Ecclesiastical Sciences with a concentration in Patristic and Eastern Christian theology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. He also taught religion and Spanish, as well as served as liturgist at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. While in the Eternal City, Fr. Andrij served as director of the choir of the International College of the Gesù at the Church of the Gesù from 2016-2017. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Byzantine Rite in 2018. Since 2021 Fr. Andrij has been engaged in Ph.D. studies in theology at the University of Notre Dame; his work focuses on the development and relations of the Latin and Greek theological traditions to 1600 and liturgical studies. His interests also include languages and philosophy, especially the metaphysics of culture.

[Title of Talk coming soon!]

WHEN
Thursday, May 1, 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

April 3, 2025 – Sister Susan Durkin, OSU, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Women Religious Archives Collaborative

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring

Sister Susan Durkin, OSU
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Women Religious Archieves Collaborative

Sister Susan Durkin, OSU – Executive Director and co-founder of WRAC. Sr. Susan is past President of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland. During her tenure, she oversaw the capital campaign for and construction of a new 68,000-square-foot $22 million residence for the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland and community chapel. She previously served as the congregation’s Development Director and has more than 20 years of fundraising experience.

WHEN
Thursday, April 3, 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

March 6, 2025 – Peter Burak, Renewal Ministries

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The First Friday Club of Cleveland
Featuring

Peter Burak
Vice President, Renewal Ministries

Peter Burak is the vice president of Renewal Ministries, a ministry dedicated to Catholic renewal and evangelization around the world. He is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville and has a master’s degree in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. Pete is a frequent speaker on discipleship and evangelization and co-director of Pine Hills Boys’ Camp. He is a monthly columnist for Faith Magazine and the host of two podcasts: Spirit-filled Leadership and The Hour. Pete and his wife, Cait, have five children.

Presenting
“What Must I Do To Be Saved”

WHEN
Thursday, March 6, 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

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

This event is SOLD OUT. Please click here to add your name to our Waitlist.

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.

You may click here to download a sponsorship form

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

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

This event is SOLD OUT. Please click here to add your name to our Waitlist.

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

Presenting Rebuilding Culture

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

Presenting
Rebuilding Culture

Your Invited
Sign Up Today!