May 06, 2021

Greetings,

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all of our Moms. Also, a thank you to all those who love us like moms! May today be a blessing to you in your vocation. Thank you for all that you do especially in giving proper dignity and honor to the title in a time that needs strong, good and willing role models. May God bless you.

IN OTHER NEWS:

FLOWERS:  If you were counting on the Mother’s Day sale of flowers at the church, I hope you see this first. COVID had a lot of odd effects in our lives. Restaurants and businesses are closing early because they cannot find enough workers. The construction industry cannot keep up with demand. A falling behind in the supply chain has caused not only shortages but skyrocketing prices of certain goods! So, it is the same for our annual Mother’s Day Flower Sale, the benefits of which go toward helping Moms in difficult situations. There is both a shortage of the flowers we would typically provide and those we would be able to get are currently quite expensive. Because of this, there will not be flowers for sale this year.

YOUR PRESENCE NEEDED:  As the weather turns more pleasant (and we are freer to go about as COVID regulations lessen) there is a need for more people to come adore Christ during Tuesday adoration at those hours that are already typically a bit thin. The most needed hours are the late afternoon and between 5:00 and 7:00pm. Please consider taking advantage of this time for quiet mediation and prayer.

PARISH GROUNDS:  Our volunteer grounds crew is starting up again. Please consider helping out, particularly on Thursday mornings following Mass - even if you can only do one Thursday all summer - even if you can only do one hour!  Help keep St. Sebastian the jewel that it is.

As I was walking the dog this morning, I noticed that they were getting ready to reinstall the fountain in the cutting garden. This garden, located at the rear of the church on Elmdale will supply the church with flowers for the sanctuary through the fall. You are invited to come visit this flower garden which is quickly waking up from its winter slumber, sit on the bench and enjoy the beauty while listening to the splashing of the fountain.

BIKERS:  Just a reminder that if you wish to ride your bike to the parish there are bicycle racks on which you can secure your bike located at Byrider Hall, by the school (in the courtyard,) and at the church just off the cutting garden near the east door near to the basement.

HEART OF A SHEPHERD:  This is a diocesan initiative to help seminarians and retired priests as well as to assist parishes to raise funds for local projects. We will be using our funds to pay for our new church boilers, new church air conditioning, (I’ve spent so much time every August in the basement trying to keep the blessed thing running every Sunday - always on a Sunday,) to move our baptismal font and for other more minor projects. More details are coming!

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck