Feb 23, 2023

Greetings,

Happy First Sunday of Lent. If you haven’t already kick started your personal Lenten practices, there is no time like the present. Become more of the good person God intended you to be when He created you. Take advantage of the opportunity while everyone around you is also striving for the greater good. This will give us a remarkable potential as a community to become renewed by the end of our remaining forty days.

IN OTHER NEWS:

CHANGE IN CONFESSION: The book on the sacrament of reconciliation has been re-translated into English. Most of what you experience in the confessional will not change. Starting on Ash Wednesday, there is the allowed use of the re-translation of the words of absolution. Not the central, most important part, but the formula surrounding it. During the forty days of Lent, either form of absolution may be used. Beginning on Divine Mercy Sunday, only the new translation will be allowed to be used. The adjustment is so slight, you might not even notice it, but just in case you do, I didn’t want you to be caught off guard!

CONCERT THIS SUNDAY: Recapture the essence of Sunday as not only a day of rest, but a “little Easter” by attending an Organ Concert this Sunday, February 26 at 3:30pm right here at St. Sebastian. Matthew Wachtman will be performing. Admission is free and open to the public.

ROOF: As you know, we have been attempting to trace down a ceiling leak and the work crew believes that it is in the rainwater pipe that enters the wall at the top of building. If you look up at the roof line, you will notice canisters under the gutters into which the downspouts disappear. Before much more work is done, a temporary, exterior downspout has been run so that the next time it rains (or snow melts) we can tell if this is indeed the case. If it rains and there is no leak in the lower ceiling, we know we have a problem somewhere inside the wall. If not, the search will continue!

TOBCLE: Saturday, March 4, Theology of the Body Cleveland will be having a four-hour introduction course to St. Pope John Paul II’s amazing teaching of Theology of the Body at Zwisler Hall. This teaching opens up entire new worlds for Catholics, inspires hope and helps us understand ourselves and God better. The cost is $45. To sign up, go online to TOBCLE and click on “Our Events.”

PARISH MISSION: Just a reminder that our Parish Mission is coming up March 12-14, with Father Michael Denk. If you have not picked up a copy of the book connected with this retreat, please take your copy from the church today!

CATHOLIC CHARITIES: Thank you for your patience with our Catholic Charities appeal last weekend and further appreciation is extended to those who helped us reach our charitable giving goal. These funds help Catholic Charities in their extensive work throughout the whole diocese. If you did not have a chance to give, you can go online to ccdocle.org/support-us/donate-online or text CCHOPE to 41444.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck