Mar 23, 2023

Greetings,

Next weekend is Palm Sunday! We are nearing the end of our Lenten season. If that is sneaking up on you, then make sure that you have plans in place for your Easter confession. Time is running short and lines will begin to get longer. The final confessions before Easter at St. Sebastian will be on Saturday, April 1 at 9:30am and then will resume on Tuesday, April 11 at 7pm.

Also, this week, the painting by Ukrainian artist Litvinov Oleg Arkadievich, “The Placing of Christ in the Tomb” in Padre Pio Chapel will be moving to make way for a new Holy Week display. If you would like to see the painting, now is the time to stop by.

IN OTHER NEWS:

CONSTRUCTION: Those who came to either Saturday Mass last weekend found that things were not as we were told they would be. I must say that I greatly appreciate what good sports you all were about the situation. Just the same, I sent off an email expressing my disappointment at the situation and late that night, the doorbell rang at the rectory. I opened the door to find Mr. Jason Zajac, Engineering Project Coordinator for the City of Akron, who stopped by to apologize on behalf of the city and the construction company and to give his assurance that things would be made right by morning. And they were! That made for such great relief on my part and I hope it made getting to Mass easier on yours. Please keep this project and all the people that it effects in your prayers.

This weekend I anticipate the same situation that you found this Sunday. Mull Avenue may be closed westbound (toward the circle) though that side of the street would be open for parking. The eastbound lane (away from the circle) should be open for driving and parking. Cross roads should also be open for local traffic.

Consider leaving two minutes early for Mass on Sunday. If the weather is fair, remember there is plenty of parking in the brick parking lot. If you can, leave parking spots that are close to the church for those who may have more difficulty walking. Parking on the side streets will help with congestion and allow you to zip away more quickly once you get to your car after Mass.

Again, THANK YOU for being so understanding during this time. It will be such a happy day when the project is over and we will have a beautiful new street to accent our beautiful grounds and buildings. (We should do something to mark the occasion. Any ideas?) As my grandma used to say, “For beauty, you must suffer.”

CALLING FOURTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADERS: I will be holding a new server practice in the church this Monday, March 27 at 6pm sharp for a 50-minute session. I sure hope to see you there!

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck