Jul 29, 2021

Greetings,

Especially for those who it directly effects, I want to thank you for your kindness and level headedness as it concerns the Pope’s letter Traditionis Custodes. Although the motu proprio was to take effect immediately, our bishop was away from the diocese and instructed us to hold the course until he returns. Officially he has not made known his position on the matter, but his handling of it thus far seems fair and thoughtful considering what has happened in a few other dioceses.

Mid next week (August 4th) when he returns to Cleveland, he will meet with the all the priests of the diocese who celebrate the extraordinary form as well as the pastors of those parishes where it is celebrated, to have a listening session after which time he will let us know how our particular diocese will respond. Although I cannot know his mind, I do not anticipate much in the way of change. Still, in the meantime, please keep him in your prayers.

IN OTHER NEWS:

EVENTS: Here are some events happening in and around St. Sebastian Square of which you may want to be aware:

MISSIONARY SPEAKER: Sister Rita Gesue will be at all Masses the weekend of August 7th & 8th.

DIOCESAN WIDE NIGHT PRAYER: August 7th through the 15th in the Church at 8:30pm.

HEINZ POLL SUMMER DANCE FESTIVAL: August 13th & 14th at Forest Lodge Park at 8:45pm. Featuring the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. The children’s interactive program will begin at 7:45pm.

AKRON SYMPHONY ENSEMBLE: August 15th at Elm Hill/Forest Lodge Park at 7:30pm.

NEO JAZZ - August 20th Forest Lodge and St. Sebastian grounds from 7:00-9:00pm.

CHRISTOPHER CONSILIO MEMORIAL EVENT - August 21st at St. Sebastian grounds.

RCIA: If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Catholic Church, please contact Fr. Morris by calling the rectory phone 330-836-2233! RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, and it is one of the ways through which one may join the Church. Classes being in September.

DIOCESAN WIDE COMPLINE: Everyone across the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is invited to participate in praying the Night Prayer of the Church at nine different parishes in the diocese on consecutive evenings from August 7th to August 15th, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Nine churches will be open 8:15-9:00pm each of those nights with Night Prayer beginning at 8:30. Parishes taking part in this opportunity for prayer are: ·

St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 3114 Scranton Road, Cleveland (In Spanish)

St. Mary Parish, 242 N. State St., Painesville

St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster

St. Peter Parish, 35777 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville

St. Augustine Parish, 204 Sixth St. NW, Barberton

St. Sebastian Parish, 476 Mull Ave., Akron

St. John Cantius Parish, 906 College Ave., Cleveland

St Luke Parish, 1212 Bunts Road, Lakewood

Holy Spirit Parish, 4341 E. 131st St., Garfield Heights

Night prayer is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office. In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church fulfills Jesusಬ command to ಯpray always.” Through this prayer, the people of God sanctify the day by continual praise of God and prayers of intercession for the needs of the world.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck