Oct 28, 2021

Greetings,

This weekend is PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY! Priesthood Sunday is a special day set aside to honor priesthood in the United States. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central one. This nationwide event is coordinated and sponsored by the U. S. Council of Serra International.

There is a local Serra chapter in the Akron area. A huge part of their ministry is in promoting vocations. In the bulletin there will be some more information and a representative of the Akron chapter will try to be at the doors of the church this weekend passing out prayer cards and inviting you to be a member of Serra International and help promote vocations.

IN OTHER NEWS:

ORGAN CONCERT:  This Friday at 7:00pm. I know I can’t wait after all this time!

WELCOME SEMINARIAN:  We welcome seminarian Jonathon Green to St. Sebastian this weekend. Jon is a sophomore at Borromeo Minor (college) Seminary in Wickliffe discerning a call to the priesthood for service in the Diocese of Cleveland. Jon hails from Holy Family Parish in Stow and so is no stranger to Akron. He will be speaking at all of the Masses this weekend and I invite you to speak with him in the lobby of the church (especially if you are contemplating a vocation) following each Mass.

CONGRATULATIONS FR. MORRIS:  As was announced at all of the Masses last weekend, Fr. Morris, our parochial vicar, has been chosen by Bishop Malesic to be the next pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Doylestown! His first day of work there is Monday, November 1! It may seem as though it is a quick parting of the ways to us, barely giving us time to recalibrate before he leaves, but not to the people of Sts. Peter & Paul who have been without a pastor since the end of summer, when their pastor passed away quite suddenly. Plus, it appears to be such a good fit for them and for Fr. Morris. I knew he would not be with us for his full four-year assignment and I am happy for him that he is leaving us for a place that is such a great match.

If you recall, one of the seminarians who lived with us for a while and who helped us get through COVID, is named Camron Ferrell. As it turns out, Sts. Peter and Paul is his home parish. He is quite excited that Fr. Morris, with whom he lived here over the summer, is going to be his new pastor!

Fr. Morris, of course, has mixed feelings. It is quite exciting to become a pastor and, as they say, “put your legs under your own table.” And the parish has quite an important history, being founded in 1827, a century and year before St. Sebastian was founded! That was back when the area was still a part of the Diocese of Cincinnati, our diocese not being founded until 1847. It is a great honor and responsibility to be entrusted with this venerable parish as well as St. Ann in Rittman and adopting the former pastor’s cat.

He is, of course, also sad to be leaving St. Sebastian so soon. He has remarked on a number of occasions how much he likes it here-you the place and the ministry-and wishes it could have lasted a little longer before having to take on duties elsewhere.

Fr. Morris,

It has been a pleasure having you here at St. Sebastian. I am thankful that we had you at all rather than sad that you are leaving so quickly. We were blessed by your presence. You are a good shepherd and a good man with whom to share a rectory and I consider you a friend both of me and St. Sebastian. You are always welcome back (especially for card night or dinner.) Many blessings to you as you begin your new ministry and I encourage all Sebastianites to offer you supportive prayers. God bless you brother.

Fr. Valencheck