Dec 11, 2025

Greetings,

Happy Gaudete Sunday!  Rejoice!  The time of our Lord is at hand.  On this third week of Advent the third candle on our advent wreath is lit, the priests wear rose vestments which is technically a light purple, for we are so joyful at the coming of Our Lord that we cannot fully enter into the penitential aspect of the season.

ADVENTAGEUS ADVENT ACTIVITIES:

CONCERT TODAY:  The St. Mary Parish Choir from Hudson will be joining the St. Sebastian Parish Choir, soloists, organ and orchestra for an Advent/Christmas concert this Sunday, December 14 at 4pm in our church.  What a great way to appreciate the season for all that it has to offer.

ADVENT NOON ADORATION AND ORGAN RECITAL:  Our third in a series of four Organ Recitals takes place this coming Tuesday at noon in the Church.  David Lines will take control of the organ counsel to assist your prayers before the Blessed Sacrament in this half hour recital.  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place following the morning Mass until 8pm.

COMPLINE & BENEDICTION:  On Tuesday nights during Advent, Mr. David Uschold provides organ music during Confessions and Adoration.  Compline (Night Prayer) and Benediction is at 7:40pm.

CONFESSIONS:  Speaking of confessions, plan ahead and get yours in now!  The lines will only get longer and the opportunities shorter. The final confessions are on Tuesday, December 23 at 7pm and will come to a hard end at 7:30pm because of Compline. So don’t wait and miss out!

GIVING TREE:  Thank you to everybody who participated in the Giving Tree.  They are being prepared for distribution to those in need.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL:  Thank you to everyone who assisted our St. Vincent de Paul take care of the poorest of the poor within our parish boundaries both during the government shutdown and as we enter into the Christmas season. Both events were a strain for many households.  Also, thank you to St. Vincent de Paul for all of your diligent work in assisting our brothers and sisters!

IN OTHER NEWS:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CHESTERTON ACADEMY:  The Chesterton Academy is the newest high school/junior high school in the Akron area.  According to their website, “Under the patronage of G.K. Chesterton and in partnership with families and the Church, the mission of the Chesterton Schools Network is to foster a Culture of Life by forming a new generation of joyful leaders and saints, educated in the classical tradition and grounded in the truths of the Catholic faith.” 

The Academy, located on the campus of St. Paul Parish on Brown Street is now officially recognized as a Catholic institution under the authority of our ordinary, Bishop Edward Malesic.  Congratulations!

SCHOLARSHIP SEASON:  It is time to get your scholarship applications in to the parish!  The deadline is approaching on January 23, and it will come quickly with all of the holidays between now and then.  I don’t want you to miss out! See else where in the bulletin for the list.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck