Aug 25, 2023

Greetings,

WELCOME BACK TO CLASSES St. Sebastian Parish School students, faculty and staff! There have been lots of upgrades to the school over the summer, particularly a great amount of painting by our fantastic summer crew. They were efficient and painted so well that we are a couple of years ahead of schedule. Zwisler Hall upgrades have finally been completed and it was great having microphones and speakers that worked well when we had our town hall meeting.

St. Sebastian Parish School is not a private school, it is a Catholic school. Part of every child’s complete education is taking part in the sacraments. As such, one of the most important aspects of our school is Sunday Mass. Due to scheduling, sometimes it is necessary to attend Mass at other parishes, but please remember that this is the community that supports the school and makes sure that it is open and affordable, and so I encourage you to worship with this community that supports your child’s education whenever possible as an act of thanksgiving.

IN OTHER NEWS:

MASS TIME CHANGE: Thursday morning Mass will change from 8am to 8:05am, a matter of five minutes difference. The parish school had moved to a later Mass time during COVID in an attempt to lessen the spread of the illness and we never got around to moving it back again. Beginning this year, however, the children will be returning to the community Mass on Thursdays and the Mass starting time will move 5 minutes.

CONSTRUCTION: As you came to Mass last Sunday it may have been apparent to you that the construction on Mull Avenue is officially behind schedule due to the rain that you had while I was in New York. But the sidewalks are completely replaced around the parish grounds (as the dog walkers have discovered) and as this is being written to you on Monday morning, bricks are being laid, more cement is being poured and work east of the five-way stop is continuing. It’s the big countdown to life returning to normal! Soon we will have our street access and parking back! Thank you again for your extreme patience and understanding during this time of construction. It has made things, from parking to processions, a bit more challenging, but you bore it well.

EUCHARISTIC DEVOTIONS: Our annual Eucharistic Devotions are coming up September 17th through the 19th. There will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament all day and all night during those three days. Sign-up sheets to adopt an hour will be on the altar rail near the Blessed Virgin Mary statue. It would be great to have at least two or three people signed up to cover each hour. And for those who can, please consider taking the more difficult to fill hours such as late afternoon/dinner times and early morning. Thanks.

SEMINARIANS NEWS: When I came home last Saturday the house was empty except for Fr. Bozek. Christopher Villarreal and John Scantling of our parish as well as Conner Trout who lived with us at the end of the summer have officially installed themselves at the seminary to begin studies and discernment. Ryan Arto is away for his retreat and week of classes and then will be returning to us. Please keep them and all of our seminarians in your prayers.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck