Oct 31, 2019

Greetings,

About two weeks ago, our business manager Mr. Kevin Audin and I had a meeting at which he let me know his intention to retire. “I want to travel and see the grandkids with my lovely wife.” (Who can blame him?) We have a couple of months yet to get our ducks in order (so this is not the official farewell and thanks announcement) but we are currently launching a search for the position.

Kevin is not “moving on,” just retiring, and has said that he will be available to help the new person. There are still a few projects he wants to finish. The south east door still needs to be automated, the library and prayer room still need finishing, and there are other odds and ends on his punch list so there will be no farewell celebration for him yet. Instead, there will be a fireworks of projects and the crack of the whip! Thank you, Kevin, for all that you have done and will continue to do for our parish of St. Sebastian.

IN OTHER NEWS:

WEEKEND HOURS:  Want to register for the parish, but can’t make the office hours during the week? There are two options for you. I was told that some people are unaware that we have weekend office hours: Saturday from 8:30am to 6:00pm and Sunday from 8:00am to 1:00pm. You can come to the rectory during these hours to register, or take care of any other business you might have. Also, on our new website (www.stsebastian.org) you may register online.

CONCERT THIS SUNDAY:  Mr. David Higgs will be performing on our organ this Sunday, November 3rd, at 7:00pm. Mr. Higgs is one of the most sought after organists in the country and it is awesome to have him here in Akron! Hope to see you there. The next concert is the Cleveland Chamber Choir on Sunday, November 10th, at 5:00pm.

CONCERTS FOR THE FAMILY:  The concert series at St. Sebastian Parish is designed to be family friendly. The concerts can be tools for parents to introduce their children to the arts, or to expand their children’s awareness of them. For parents, the concerts are a pleasurable time for enjoying quality performances. Most concerts are free and open to the public. If your child is unable to sit through an entire concert, a family can leave early without fear of losing the cost of an expensive ticket. Here are some hints to prepare your children for their experience:

Share with them the type of concert which you will be attending. (Youtube helps!)

Explain the type of manners that will be expected. (There are a lot of good online tips.)

     If a child becomes uncomfortable during the performance and is unable to continue listening without disturbing the enjoyment of others, it is                  acceptable at our performances, to leave the concert at an appropriate break while encouraging the child in the good behavior he or she exhibited.

     Help unpack the children’s experience afterward. What did they hear? How did it make them feel? Would they like to explore more music such as this? What was the difference between experiencing live music and listening to a recording? What do they remember about the concert? What was the funniest/most meaningful thing that comes to mind?

INTERESTED IN OUR SCHOOL?:  Explorer Days are coming up this Friday, November 8th. See elsewhere in this bulletin for details.

NEED LOW GLUTEN HOSTS?: Please come to the sacristy at least 5 minutes before Mass and let the priest or Mass coordinator know.

COUPLES NEEDED:  The St. Sebastian Pre-Cana team is looking for couples interested in helping with our “day of formation for engaged couples.” Interested couples can contact Tracie or Jerry D’Antonio at transy@gmail.com.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck