Jul 15, 2021

Greetings,

Our annual St. Sebastian Brick Street Jazz and Wine Festival is coming up this Thursday, July 22nd, right here on our grounds beneath the delicious shade of our mighty oak trees in the courtyard. Isn’t it wonderful not only to get out but to be able to gather together once again? I still sometimes have a moment of panic, slapping my pocket to make sure that I have a mask with me only to remember that they are not required anymore. What a blessing it is to see smiles and shake hands again.

Celebrate being community and supporting the arts and artists with good food and music and revel in all that is summer! A special thank you to this year’s festival sponsors, Akron Tool & Die, Kimmell Cybersecurity, Mary Jo Kormushoff and The Welcome Home Team and the Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. Tickets and more information are available at www.BidPal.Net/BrickStreetJazzFest. Hope to see your smile there.

IN OTHER NEWS:

RESPOND:  I was away on vacation this past week (a real vacation again with other people in places that I want to see!) I hadn’t seen my sister in New York let alone my nephews etc., for almost two years. (I bet you have similar situations.) We were up in the Adirondack mountains and had only spotty and occasional reception of any kind. As a result, I have a boat load of mail, emails and phone calls to address aside from other things that have deadlines (including this letter!) and am slowly attacking it. If you attempted to get ahold of me last week and are concerned that I have not responded and need to hear something soon, it might be a wise idea to make contact again.

FOR THOSE WHO NEED EXTRA SERVICES:  Here is just a reminder of some of the amenities at St. Sebastian Parish church for those who might wish to take advantage of them:

HANDICAP PARKING:  There are spaces at both the north and south ends of the church parking lot.

ENTRANCES:  There are wheelchair accessible ramps at the front doors and the south east doors of the church off of the parking lot. Both entrances have automatic doors.

SPECIAL SEATING:  For those who find it difficult to process for Communion, there are spaced pews available (a wheel chair can find a home here) in the front, far left of the seating area in the church. Communion will be brought to this area if anyone is sitting there.

RESTROOM:  There is a handicap accessible restroom in the front lobby of the church.

SOUND LOOP:  For those with hearing difficulties, the church has a sound loop that will broadcast directly to the coil in your hearing device.

HEARING ASSISTANCE:  For those with hearing difficulties who do not have a hearing aid or one set up with a coil, there are headsets in the usher’s room that are connected to our sound system. Please ask an usher for one if you need it.

LOW GLUTEN:  If you need a low gluten host, please go to the sacristy at least five minutes before Mass and let the priest or sacristan know so that one can be consecrated for you. The main celebrant of the Mass will have your host at Communion.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck