Nov 10, 2022

Greetings,

Veteran’s Day is celebrated on November 11th because, before World War II officially ended with the signing of Treaty of Versailles, there was a cessation of fighting that began on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month and so this day began as a perpetual memorial to the soldiers of the War to End All Wars. Following World War II, the day was re-dedicated to honor all of our veterans. It is easy to ride safely down our streets, to put a sign in our front yards, listen to controversial speakers or even freely practice our faith and think this is just the way things are. It is easy to forget that somebody had to risk life and limb to make sure that we had this ability to forget how tenuous and unusual the freedoms and the safety we experience is. All that we need for a reminder is a war on the other side of the world to make us tense and wondering how, if or when we might be forced to enter into such exercises again.

Thank you to all of our Veterans. We hold you in prayer. And may we use the freedoms you protected for us well, for God’s glory and for the benefit of our brothers and sisters.

IN OTHER NEWS:

STATE OF THE PARISH: This weekend at all of the Masses there will be the State of the Parish Address. Earlier in the year we had our Status Animarum report concerning the spiritual health of the parish. But the diocese also requires that a report be prepared for each parish community to keep her people aware of our financial well-being. Inside this bulletin you will find both graphs and statistics to assist you in assessing the parish’s standing.

Overall, I think you will be very pleased with what you find there. Comparing how we stand with the Church across the nation following the scourge that was 2020, St. Sebastian Parish finds itself having weathered the storm rather well. Thanks to your generosity, the careful management of our resources by our business manager Milissa Smith, our Finance Council and with assistance from the Foundation, the Foundation Board, Kathy Holaday, our Development Director, and many others who assist in the financial welfare of the parish (bookkeepers, collectors, counters) as well as our Facilities Manager Michael Zimmerman and his team who not only strive to make sure that our buildings are sound and functional, but do so while managing our resources well, St. Sebastian Parish continues to be a strong and healthy presence in West Akron.

If you have any further questions concerning the parish finances after this weekend’s presentation, please contact Milissa Smith at (330) 836-2233. You may also direct your comments to Finance Council. For more information about the Parish Foundation, please call Kathy Holaday at (330) 836-2233.

If you are not currently registered at St. Sebastian, please consider doing so! If you are not receiving mailings from the parish, you may not be registered. If you have turned 21 and moved out of your parent’s home, it is a good idea to register. You can register online or by stopping by the rectory during business hours. Registering helps the parish and helps the parish help you!

God bless and thank you,

Fr. Valencheck