Oct 11, 2023

Greetings,

As we head into Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, there will be more pressure on our St. Vincent de Paul Society to assist those who live within our parish boundaries. SVdP relies on your generosity to help those who have fallen on difficult times. They meet with every person who asks for help to determine what assistance is needed. To make a donation to SVdP so that they may continue to help those in distress, you may drop a clearly marked envelope in the collection basket, mail or drop off a donation to the rectory, or place your donation in the POOR BOX located in the church.

IN OTHER NEWS:

CROWDS EXPECTED!: According to the priest who will be accompanying the relic of St. Jude that is coming to St. Sebastian on November 2, we should expect very large crowds, particularly in the evening. That will require a lot of volunteers to assist in directing, manning the information tables, helping load in and out and giving directions for parking. Please see a sign-up sheet on the altar rail by the Blessed Mary statue or call or stop by the rectory.

A GREAT SEASON: The season for the grounds and garden crews is quickly coming to an end. Thank you to our award-winning grounds crew who kept our parish looking so beautiful especially during all of the road construction. The Cutting Garden was beautiful, a place where many people visited and kept our sanctuary so beautiful. And the Vegetable Garden provided much food for those in need and was a good outdoor classroom for our school. The grounds always attract so many visitors who like to walk around the property, and I feel guilty accepting the compliments on their behalf. Thank you so much for what you do for the parish and for the community.

EXTRAORDINARY FORM: There are only three Masses remaining of the extraordinary form at St. Sebastian. Starting November 1, the Mass will be moved to St. Mary. According to the surveys that were turned in, about 50% said that they would remain members of St. Sebastian, 25% said that they would attend St. Mary, and the remaining 25% were scattered at various places such as St. Elizabeth or to a closer home parish.

As things stand right now, the Mass at St. Mary will be at 1pm since that makes it easier for the diocese to supply priests for that Mass. It also seems that Fr. Bede OSB and Fr. Pfeiffer will assist in covering the schedule, but there still needs to be found at least one more priest to round out the schedule.

Fr. Zerucha, pastor of St. Mary, and a small delegation from that parish will come to the 1pm Mass on the October 22 to welcome those who will be joining the parish come November and invite all to their Chili Fest. As the surveys are looked at more closely, it will then be determined what will happen at St. Sebastian. I will let you know soon.

SOME UPCOMING EVENTS:

TRUNK OR TREAT: Friday The 13th from 6-8pm

THEOLOGY ON THE ROCKS: This Monday, October 16 with Fr. Pfeiffer- see elsewhere in the bulletin for more details.

ANOINTING MASS: Saturday, October 21 after the 4:30pm Mass

AN EVENING OF HAUNTING MUSIC: Concert is Sunday, October 29 at 7pm

ST. JUDE RELIC: Thursday, November 2 beginning at 1pm

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck