Dec 05, 2019

Greetings,

It is a rare occurrence to have Mass without Deacon Terry in the sanctuary and so it seems odd not to have him with us when he is unable to be here. For those who are unaware, Deacon Terry’s wife Suzanne was sent home for home hospice care. Just before this bulletin was sent off to print she passed away. Please keep her, Deacon Terry and their family in your prayers. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. Amen.

I know some of you men out there have expressed a desire to look into the diaconate. We need deacons in Akron! Please take this as a word of encouragement to consider more seriously this calling. Deacon Terry would absolutely love to talk to you about the ministry as soon as he is able to do so.

Our vocation dinners went well. I was particularly pleased at how many young women of the parish are considering religious life! I ask for your continued prayers for our young persons who are considering a vocation and also ask for your direct encouragement of any young(ish) persons you think might have a calling.

Ian Kelly, the seminarian on internship here at St. Sebastian, will be spending his first Christmas holidays away from his home parish to be with us. Have you noticed how many more things get done around here when we have (cheap and available) help in the rectory? At dinner I might say, “It would be great if we could . . .” followed by, “Ian, why don’t you make that happen.” It would be a very different parish without all of the seminarians we have had, without a parochial vicar and without a deacon. Please continue to support those discerning a vocation, especially Ian, encourage vocations in the people around you and, as always, pray for vocations.

IN OTHER NEWS:

ADVENT ADORATION & ORGAN RECITALS:  Of course we have adoration every Tuesday in the church from after the morning Mass until 8:00pm. But at noon, we will have a guest organist come in and give a seasonal recital for about half an hour to help you enjoy the beauty of our organ, of music and our church while getting to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.

TUESDAY NOON ORGAN RECITALS:

Tuesday, December 10 – Daniel Fortune

Tuesday, December 17 – Mario Buchanan

SUNG COMPLINE AND BENEDICTION:  On Tuesday nights following confessions, Lynn will be here to play for Compline (official night prayer of the Catholic Church) and Benediction which closes our adoration time. If you are looking for something to help mark your advent season, here is one opportunity.

ROSE WINDOW:  The rose window in Zwisler Hall has been removed and replaced with some very fashionable construction plywood. After 90 years of exposure to the elements, the wooden frame of the window deteriorated to the point where a finger could be pressed through it. A new frame is being built and the window will be returned shortly. Reproductions of it, to hang in your window, are available in the rectory office.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck