Join us for the 69th Annual Bishop’s Luncheon 

and “State of the Diocese” Address with

The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland

Each year, our February luncheon is dedicated to hearing the “State of the Diocese of Cleveland” from our Bishop, the Most Reverend Edward Malesic. This continues to be an event that brings together Catholics of all ages from throughout our diocese for fellowship and to hear from Bishop Malesic. The 69th Annual Bishop’s Luncheon will take place on Thursday, February 4, 2027. We are pleased to announce that we have secured a new location for the 2027 luncheon. It will be at the Embassy Suites in Independence. This new venue will allow us to seat more people, more comfortably, and will eliminate any need for an “overflow room”!

We offer sponsorships ranging from $500 to $5,000. Sign up now to be a part of this unique, annual event that brings together people of all ages from throughout our diocese! Sponsorship commitments are due on November 30; the payment and ad deadline is January 4. Please indicate “Pay by check” if you want to be invoiced for your sponsorship amount.

(Note that regular tickets will go on sale later in November. If you would like to be put on a list to be notified when tickets sales open, please email us at info@firstfridayclubcleveland.org.)

Interested in a paper form for sponsorship? You can download the pdf below and follow the instructions to return the completed form to us. 

2027 Bishop Luncheon Sponsorship Form as PDF

[more details to follow!]

Join us to hear from 4 inspiring lay members of our Catholic Diocese of Cleveland about how they have been called to live and share their Catholic faith.

Steve Chrzanowski, President, Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Northeast Ohio

As Director of Group Retention and Sales Support for SummaCare, Steve directs service retention strategies in conjunction with Account Managers, Group Support Specialists, and multiple internal departments for all commercial fully insured and self-funded client groups. Steve also serves as the President of the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Northeast Ohio, which presents the Catholic Men’s Conference each year.

Jen Ricard, Executive Director, Theology of the Body – Cleveland

Jennifer Ricard is the director and founder of Theology of the Body Cleveland. She completed a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, OH, and a certification from the Theology of the Body Institute in 2014. Jennifer and her husband, Frank, have been married for 30 years and have six children.

Kathleen Paydo, Foster Parent and Author of “Fostering Love”

Kathleen Paydo is a licensed foster parent who promotes foster-child advocacy in her home and within the community. She is a member of the National Foster Parent Association, the Catholic Writers Guild, and is a registered nurse through the state of Ohio. During much of their thirty-five year marriage, Kathleen and her husband Ron, along with their four biological children, have opened their home to foster children who have no one to care for them and no where else to go.

Robert Singerline, President, Scepter Publishers

Center for Pastoral Leadership
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092

“Story of Sacrifice”

with Fr. Joseph Mamich & Jim Lechko

In 2014,  Jim Lechko donated a kidney to Father Joseph Mamich, the pastor of his parish, saving the priest’s life. Join us to hear their incredible story! Lechko described the act as laying down his life for his friend in the spirit of Christian charity. Fr. Joe and Jim Lechko have maintained a close friendship and are advocates for organ donation, sharing their story to raise awareness about the “consistent ethic of life” and the critical need for living donors. 

Thursday, November 5, 2026

Doors open at 11:00 a.m. – Connect with other attendees!
Buffet Opens at 11:30 a.m. 
Program begins at 12:00 noon
Program Concludes at 1:00 p.m.

Center for Pastoral Leadership
28700 Euclid Avenue (map)
Wickliffe, Ohio 44092