Dec 08, 2022

Greetings!

It is Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. Gaudete is the Latin word for “Rejoice” and our advent season subtly changes from ideas of “The Lord is coming” to “The Lord is near!” The third candle on our advent wreaths are lit and, at Mass, the color rose (light purple - but let’s face it, it’s pink) is used. For those who celebrate the Mass in Latin, the first words we hear today in the introit are “Gaudete in Domino semper,” or Rejoice in the Lord always.” It is time for the immediate preparations for Christ’s coming. May your preparations be free from undue stress and bring you joy.

IN OTHER NEWS:

ADVENT EVENTS: If you would like some assistance in your spiritual preparations for Christmas, here are some events for you:

• There is always Tuesday adoration from 8:30am until 8pm. Come find quiet prayer time, light a candle, write in the petition book, experience the peace and beauty of the church.
• There is a short, advent organ recital during adoration every Tuesday at noon.
• Sung compline and benediction will take place at 7:40pm on Tuesday nights.
• For those who read this letter early on line, the Baldwin Wallace Men’s Chorus will sing this Friday evening at 8pm. Tickets are $20.
• Cleveland Chamber Choir concert Friday, December 16, at 7:30pm. Free.
• St. Sebastian Parish Choir Candlelight Christmas Concert Sunday, December 18, at 7:30pm. Free.

FIRST CONFESSIONS: Congratulations to our second graders who made their First Confessions this Saturday morning!

WORK AROUND ST. SEBASTIAN SQUARE: We’ve had projects scheduled and ready to go for months and months, but sighting supply chain difficulties, they have been backlogged. Now, all of a sudden, it seems that many of them will move forward. So, you may see some work going on around our parish. Here is a list:

• ZWISLER HALL: The updating in lighting and sound in Z Hall is finally moving forward. Not all of the equipment has made it in yet, but what is here should begin to be installed on December 6.
• Wi-Fi IN CHURCH: Our Wi-Fi has been down in the church for some time. That is why there has been no streaming of the Mass, although Wayne Johnson has recently started up our podcast of homilies once again. Work on the Wi-Fi for the church should have begun this week.
• BRICK DRIVES: After postponing work on our brick drives until January, the company that will be installing the bricks said that they should begin in about a week.
• FLAT ROOF REPAIR: Last week the roofers who installed the lower, flat roof on the church returned to try to determine why it is leaking and hope to have a temporary patch in place until more permanent repairs can be made. Other local projects will be reported in the Angelus letter.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck