The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
First Friday Forum starting 2022 season in March
Bishop among speakers addressing theology, current events
Bishop Edward Malesic of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland will return to Lorain County later this year as a keynote speaker in the First Friday Forum of Lorain County.
The Forum is a monthly luncheon meeting with Catholic clergy and speakers addressing theology and current events.
There will be six programs for 2022.
This year, the First Friday Forum kicks off March 4 with the Rev. Damian Ference as guest speaker on “The Reason Your Children and Grandchildren Don’t Go To Church.”
The deadline for reservations is 6 p.m., Feb. 28, by calling 440-213-2132 or emailing ffflorain@gmail. com.
Cost is $25 payable at the door or mailed to First Friday Forum of Lorain County, 320 Middle Ave., Elyria, OH 44035.
Ference was ordained in May 2003.
He is a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland and professor of philosophy at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe.
Ference is the author of “The Strangeness of Truth: Vibrant Faith in a Dark World,” published in 2019.
He also serves as diocesan
vicar for evangelization, a relatively new position and one of just a handful at Catholic dioceses around the United States.
Malesic mentioned Ference’s mission during his own address to the First Friday Forum of Lorain County in August 2021.
In a report by Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine, Ference shared information about young people that was presented recently by Springtide, a research firm, that surveyed 13- to 25-year-olds to learn more about their beliefs.
Ference said most consider themselves religious and spiritual, even if they don’t belong to a church.
But the research shows that people are struggling today, he said.
“The Church also needs to adapt its approach and outreach to people,” Ference said.
The program starts with lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain County Community College, 1005 Abbe Road in Elyria.
Malesic will be the guest speaker Nov. 4.
Other future speakers include:
• April 1: Bob Tayek, who has spent years working in diocesan public relations and as radio announcer for the Cleveland Indians baseball team, now the Guardians
• May 6: The Rev. Jack Manning, retired from the Diocese of Cleveland
• Sept. 2: Fr. Joe Koopman, professor of moral theology at St. Mary Seminary & Graduate School of Theology
• Oct. 7: Dr. Nick Ksenich, family medicine specialist.
This year, the First Friday Forum kicks off March 4 with the Rev. Damian Ference as guest speaker on “The Reason Your Children and Grandchildren Don’t Go To Church.”