Dec 21, 2020

Greetings!

And Happy New Year! Let us charge into 2021 with hope and joy, not forgetting the difficulties of the past year, but holding on to the lessons that it (hopefully) has taught us which gears us to make this new year a great one if for no other reason by “in comparison!” When a priest becomes a pastor, he hopes that he follows someone who was mean or otherwise disliked because he will “at least be better than the last guy.” 2021, you are all set up to be well liked!

There were some noteworthy events to mourn this past year. The death of Deacon Terry was a difficult loss to absorb, Terry being such an integral part of the life of St. Sebastian Parish for decades. That we were kept apart for Easter was a tragedy. Being forbidden to visit people in health care facilities due to COVID and funerals being postponed for long time members was disturbing to say the least. There were sacraments not celebrated, concerts and gatherings cancelled and a terrible amount of stress on our staff and faculty as well as members of the parish.

On the other hand, it was a year for discovering just how dedicated St. Sebastianites are to the faith. Thanks to so many people volunteering their time and talent, we were able to get our parish Masses and events online, which has attracted 1.36K subscribers. (Wow). To a much smaller degree we maintained live music events, celebrated Mass outside during the summer, maintained our budget, kept our school open and in person, sustained our PSR classes, continued Masses, confessions, baptisms and weddings, kept the doors to our church open for people to come in and pray, experienced many fantastic volunteers to keep the train on the tracks and rolling along and have found so many great Sebastianites extending extraordinary amounts charity, remaining dedicated to prayer and having their love of their parish family and their faith shine out during a time when it would have been easy to let it falter.

If that were not enough, we were able to continue to spruce up our buildings, had a couple of great Eagle Scout projects take place, dedicated a new chapel, got a new boiler and chiller in the church and are in the process of obtaining a better sound system for the church and hall as well as roof and ceiling repairs.

We are told that the worst of this will pass perhaps in late spring. I so look forward to digging in with you and making 2021 a banner year for rebuilding and reinvigorating this grand parish for the glory of God and for the benefit of His sons and daughters. Of course, with St. Sebastian as our patron saint, how can we not have faith in this time of rebirth, just eight years shy of our 100th anniversary as a parish?
Good Saint Sebastian, pray for us.

IN OTHER NEWS:
MASS SCHEDULE FOR MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD:
Thursday, 31 December
7PM
Friday, 1 January
9AM
5:15PM - Extraordinary Form (Latin)
7PM

CALENDARS: Thank to Hummel Funeral Homes for supplying St. Sebastian parishioners with 2021 liturgical calendars which are available in the lobbies of the church this weekend while supplies last.

OFFICES CLOSED: Please note that the rectory offices will close at noon on New Year’s Eve and remain closed until Saturday, January 2nd.

MASS INTENTIONS: The 2021 Mass intention book is open. Please call the rectory offices if you would like to have a Mass said.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck