Nov 01, 2023

Greetings, 

This weekend at all of the Masses we will have our yearly State of the Parish Address. Each year I am required to give you an accounting of how we stand as a parish
financially. In addition to this weekend’s address, there is also, in the bulletin, more particulars concerning our financial health and other statistics to give you a better understanding of how your generous support is being used. It is always my intent to be as transparent as possible and if you have questions beyond what is presented here today, you may contact Milissa Smith, our Business Manager, who will answer your questions.

If you have been attending St. Sebastian, but are not registered, please consider doing so. Being registered helps the parish in more ways than you might think. We have an easy, online way to register through our website or you can stop in the office during business hours and not only meet the staff on hand, but also receive the full welcome packet. There will also be registration packets available at the end of each of the weekend Masses.

I would like to thank Milissa Smith, our business manager and her team, Kathy Holaday and her staff in the Foundation office, Parish Finance Council and their president Mark Dujanovic, and the Foundation Board and its president Brenda Beck for their hard work and dedication in making sure that St. Sebastian Parish remains strong and healthy in her mission of bringing Christ to all the people of the parish. God bless you!

IN OTHER NEWS:

A BILL OF GOODS: When my sister was buying one of her first used cars, she went to test drive a car that a man was selling. They got in and went for a ride and the man kept instructing her, “Turn left here. Turn left here.” My uncle, who was with them, caught a scent that something was up and overrode the man’s directions and said, “Turn right!” It was then that the seller’s ill intent in selling the car became apparent as the car could barely go to the right!

When someone is selling you something and are not forthcoming, overselling and/or seem to not be telling the truth, it is obvious even to them that if they were clear and honest about it, we would have nothing to do with what they were selling so they must obfuscate. Such is the case with Issue One. The misdirection and outright falsities that are being told about it are clear indications that even the promoters know that if Ohioans were fully informed, even those who were for abortion in certain cases, would not go along with this amendment to our constitution. 

Voting NO does not end all abortions in Ohio but voting yes does make abortion available up to the very moment of birth possible. Further, it makes it possible for your minor child to have access to an abortion without your knowledge or consent. Also, it can protect from any type of prosecution those who might assist your child in procuring this major medical procedure though we still would not be able give your child even an aspirin without your notification and approval. It also enshrines all of these principles in
our state constitution so that, if upon realizing what we voted upon went too far, it would be far more difficult and time-consuming to change it than it would be if it had just been passed as a typical law.

Be well formed. Be well informed. Pray, fast and vote on Tuesday, November 7th.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck