Jan 09, 2026

Greetings!

This weekend is the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Sometimes it is a difficult thing to remember that thirty years have passed since His birth at Christmas and that He is no longer a child at His baptism. Remembering that He is an adult helps us realize more clearly that most of those early years of His life were summed up in just five words from Luke, “He was obedient to them.”

This also brings to an end the Christmas season as we head into ordinary time. Our volunteers will be taking down the decorations later in the day on Sunday. Those attending the 11am Mass will be offered any of the poinsettias they may want to adopt and take home. I am sure there will still be a few more lingering during the week so those attending Mass on Monday can still snag a plant or two.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who decorated, cleaned and kept our plants watered over the Christmas season! Also thank you to our seminarians and visiting seminarians who participated in all of our liturgies, especially John Scantling who did a yeoman’s job as MC almost daily. Please pray for our seminarians as they return to studies.

IN OTHER NEWS:

ST. SEBASTIAN DAY NEXT WEEKEND: Next weekend we will be celebrating our Patronal Feast Day of St. Sebastian at all of the Masses. St. Sebastian pray for us!

PASTA DINNER TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD AT THE DOOR! Our annual pasta Dinner to mark our Patronal Feast Day will be Saturday, January 17. Tickets are sold in advance only! No tickets will be sold at the door. You may purchase your tickets at the rectory office, online or after Masses this weekend!

CASINO NIGHT: Tickets are still on sale for our Casino Night to be held on Friday, January 16 as part of our Patronal Feast Day celebrations! See page 6 for more details. Tickets are also on sale after Masses this weekend.

WOMEN’S FAITH FORMATION: On Tuesday, January 20 at 7pm, there will be a Women’s Faith Formation evening. I will be speaking on “Forgiveness…A Beautiful Idea Until You Have Something to Forgive.” See page 7 for more details.

PRIESTS VS SEMINARIANS: On Sunday, January 26 at 6pm at Holy Name High School, the priests of the Diocese of Cleveland (not me) will challenge the seminarians in a game of basketball. Tickets are $2. The proceeds go toward vocations and charities. Bishop Malesic will be there (also not playing.)

God bless,
Fr. Valencheck