News

May 30, 2025

Greetings,

This week we welcome Fr. Jon Hawkins to St. Sebastian Parish for a Mass of Thanksgiving. Fr. Hawkins was ordained two weekends ago for service to the diocese of Cleveland. Over the years he had lived at St. Sebastian (and visited often) as well as being related to some of our members. He will be celebrating and preaching at the 4:30pm vigil this weekend. Like Fr. Arto last weekend, he will be available following Mass for blessings.

Hopefully he will be wearing his new vestment. Our own Karen Spangler was commissioned to make vestments for better than half of the ordinands this year. Fr. Hawkins has an antique piece of artwork that was transferred to the new vestment and looks absolutely stunning. The vestment that Fr. Arto wore last week was also one of Mrs. Spangler’s.

Welcome Fr. Hawkins! Please keep him in your prayers.

IN OTHER NEWS:

ALSO, THIS WEEKEND: At a Mass yet to be named this weekend (but, obviously, not the 4:30pm), Mr. Sean Homcy will be giving a reflection at the end of Mass as part of his seminary training.

GRADUATION: Our eighth graders graduated this past Thursday evening amidst much pomp and circumstance. The class of 2025 class earned $382,780 in scholarships! Congratulations graduating Terriers! May St. Sebastian continue to intercede for you, and may you carry forth your faith, academics and Christian manner forward into high school and represent us well and continue the comments we hear often that, “You can tell a St. Sebastian student even by the way they walk down the hall.” I look forward to still seeing you at Mass on Sunday and hearing of your adventures. May God bless you.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SCHOOL: For the second year in a row (that is how long it has been available) our school, students and in particular our faculty have been awarded the “Christ the Teacher” award. This recognition is given to schools that are both high achieving and has high growth above the 50th percentile in math and reading through all grades. St. Sebastian is the only school to have received this honor two years in a row.

GRIEF SUPPORT: St. Sebastian and St. Vincent have combined forces to begin a new Grief Support Group for those experiencing the loss of a loved one. Gatherings are held the third Saturday of every month, and you are invited to one or all of them. The first meeting will be June 21 at 10am at St. Vincent. Contact adtripp25@gmail.com for more information.

ACADEMY OF CULTURE AND ARTS: The ACA of St. Sebastian is an arts and culture school serving young persons through senior citizens. Many courses are offered including guitar, violin, piano, organ, dance, and a whole list more. Camps are  offered during the summer, and it helps sponsor the Arts Series at St. Sebastian. The ACA also puts on our annual Brick Street Jazz and Wine Festival. Students current range from 4 to 70 years of age with over 70 students participating. Find out more about the ACA and how you might find something that you always wanted to do!

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck