Oct 07, 2021

Greetings,

This weekend at all Masses we will have our annual State of the Parish Report as is mandated by the diocese. Once a year I am obligated to report to you the health of our parish particularly from a financial perspective. Included in this week’s bulletin is an insert that gives a high-level view of the overall health of the parish and other general trends. If you would like a much more in-depth analysis, our business manager, Milissa Smith will make one available to you. Please call her at the parish 330-836-2233 during business hours.

During the height of the COVID scare we were told by experts that one of the effects would be that the secularization of the United States would advance 30 years by current trends in a two-year period. Pastors across the diocese held their collective breaths as we awaited the results of our reports. As you will read and hear this weekend, the family of St. Sebastian pulled together and made sure that their spiritual home remained impressively strong during those dark days! I would like to thank you and let you know how very much I appreciate you. What a blessing and how exciting it is to be a part of a community that keeps God, the faith and His Church at the forefront of their attention and concern and proudly wear the title of Christian and Catholic.

I know that there are still a few people out there who are not returning to Mass due to health concerns. When you are ready, come claim your place in the pews to be present to and receive our Lord present as the Blessed Sacrament. For those of you who are fortunate enough to return, pray for a person who could be filling a space in a pew near you. Maybe offer the prayer right now. I know that having that relationship with God during these past couple of years gave me strength and peace to face its challenges. I wish the same benefit for all who could claim St. Sebastian Parish as their spiritual home.

IN OTHER NEWS:

REGISTERED?  There has been a run on people needing certain services from St. Sebastian parish. Unfortunately, a number of them are not registered parishioners and I do not have jurisdiction. You are registered if you are receiving mailings and such. If you are not registered, please consider stopping by the rectory and picking up a registration packet or register online on our website.

BAPTISMAL FOUNT:  This is the latest on our baptismal fount:  The marble is at a U.S. port and we're waiting on customs clearance. We should receive it here in the next two weeks. Then we can set a schedule of installation. I know a couple of other marble pieces are in the same container that are looking for an installation ASAP. So, assuming everything will go well, perhaps as early as next month we shall see this latest change in our church.

AUTUMN LIGHTS: The Annual Festival of Light will be held at St. Sebastian’s on October 24, between 6:30 and 8:30pm. Come celebrate all that is good, true and beautiful. Hot beverages will be provided.

CONCERT COMING UP:  Mr. Scott Montgomery will be coming to St. Sebastian Parish to perform on our organ on Friday, November 5, at 7:00pm. Mr. Montgomery is a widely respected concert organist both throughout the United States and abroad. He has performed for both regional and national conventions for the American Guild of Organists (AGO), the Organ Historical Society (OHS), National Pastoral Musician Conferences (NPM), and for Pipe Organ Encounters (POE) in the Midwest for both youth and adults. His performances have been broadcast on the nationally syndicated radio programs

“Pipedreams” and “With Heart and Voice.”

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck