Sep 24, 2026

Greetings,

Thank you for your kind attention during our announcement of the Called to Flourish: Our Church for the Future diocesan capital Campaign last weekend. I know it is everybody’s favorite moment when, just as we are about to be sent forth from the Mass, there is an announcement of, “Would you please be seated for a moment?” But you were awesome. There will be a lot more information coming your way about this campaign. As you heard last weekend, the funds that will be raised on behalf of the diocese will fund programs, many of which will effect St. Sebastian Parish directly. As our bishop said, “There are some things we can do better all together than any one of us can do on our own.” This
is part of us being one local Church as the Diocese of Cleveland.

The funds that remain here will cover the gap in cost of what has already been raised by the St. Sebastian Parish Foundation and what is needed for the construction of the Helen Hamlin Marshall Activity Center (MAC). This building, as you will come to know, will open up Byrider for more parish-wide activities during the day and make it possible for us to have gym classes without crossing Hawkins Avenue, a daily undertaking which is becoming increasingly untenable as the road becomes busier and drivers are steadily more distracted.

Our portion of this campaign will continue through December. Everyone will be contacted either by me, one of our volunteers or by receiving information by mail. I just ask for your prayerful consideration of participation.

As you may have heard last weekend, more financially secure parishes are assisting more challenged parishes on a voluntary basis. I have decided that, after we have raised our goal, 10% of everything that we raise up to $10,000 will go toward restoration of St. Mary Parish on South Main Street. Dedicated in October 1916, the basilica-style church was designed by architect William Ginther as a direct replica of the historic cathedral in Ostia, Italy.

Ginther was a prolific and devout Roman Catholic architect based in Akron who designed more than 250 churches, schools, and institutional buildings across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and beyond, including Akron’s St. Bernard Church. It is probably one of the most significant Romanesque churches this end of the country, and I am pleased to help preserve it even in this minor way.

IN OTHER NEWS:

SANCTUARY SOCIETY: All ladies of the parish are invited to an upcoming meeting of the Sanctuary Society this Wednesday, September 30 at 7pm in Byrider Large Meeting room. The Sanctuary Society serves our parish by caring for the needs of the altar and sanctuary, including hosts, flowers and candles, while also supporting parish traditions and events such as the Christmas Tea and International Festival. Come see how you can get involved with this important ministry.

ORGAN CONCERT: Next weekend, there will be a concert on Sunday at 4pm. Concert organist, composer, and YouTube personality Paul Fey hails from Leipzig, Germany, and will perform a special program showcasing the parish’s Schantz pipe organ. The concert is free and open to the public (a free will offering will be taken to benefit the Lynn Frey-Steward Organ Scholarship Fund). See pages 8 and 9 in the bulletin for more information.

God bless,
Fr. Valencheck