Apr 08, 2021

Greetings,

This weekend is Divine Mercy Sunday.  St. John Paul II declared Divine Mercy Sunday a universal feast of the Church and in 2002 attached a plenary indulgence to it.  First, there are the standard three conditions that go along with any indulgence that includes sacramental confession (within two weeks on either side of the day) Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of The Supreme Pontiff.  On the day one needs to come before the Blessed Sacrament (exposed or in the tabernacle) and in a spirit detached from all sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy or recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”).

IN OTHER NEWS:

PRE-CANA:  This weekend is our Pre-Cana weekend.  I would like to extend a special thank you to our St. Sebastian team for putting on this event when so many across the diocese have been cancelled.  You may notice some of our engaged couples, as well as those from other parishes at the 4:30 Mass.  Please say a prayer for them!  And if you are from a visiting parish, WELCOME!

SPECTACULAR:  This year’s Spectacular, the largest fundraiser we have for our parish school, is going to be a non-event; that is, it is entirely online.  Beginning on Monday, April 12th and running through April 24th, you will have the opportunity to bid on some great silent auction items, purchase raffle tickets for a top shelf bourbon basket and free and reduced tuition as well as donate to this year’s paddle raise initiative. All dollars raised through the paddle raise will help with:

o   Updating the main entrance of our parish school

o   Upgrading and adding security cameras throughout the campus

o   Updating the school’s PA system

o   Adding new locking mechanisms for all classroom doors

Donating and supporting the Spectacular is easy. Just visit www.BidPal.net/SebastianSpectacular or you can drop your donation at the rectory or school office, just be sure to mark Spectacular on the envelope.

THANK YOU!:  Thank you to everybody who helped with our Holy Week celebrations!  It has been two years since we went full scale and we found ourselves a little rusty, which left us with some things to laugh or cringe about when reviewing the week.  Everyone came through during a challenging year in which we were still concerned about COVID and other uncertainties.  Memories were raked and dust blown off of things not used for a spell and it seemed as we did well despite all the uncertainties.  I thank you for your great patience and understanding.  Please know of my prayers.

Also, we were so particularly preoccupied with preparing this year that I fear I am hundreds of emails behind (they add up quickly.)  You might want to contact me again this week if you have not heard from me.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck