Sep 04, 2025

Greetings,

My last letter was already printed when the horrific incident in Minneapolis occurred last week. So today I am writing about a time for prayer, sorrow and reflection. It was difficult to ignore since it was constantly on every set of lips and all the news outlets. Happening at a Catholic parish brought it worldwide attention with the Pope writing to the people of Annunciation Parish, expressing his prayers and concern.

At home, we reflect on our own situation. I want you to know that the diocese considers St. Sebastian Parish School one of the safest in the diocese and is used as a model for other schools. Over the years we have been investing in equipment and training, developing plans and educating ourselves for the unlikely event of such an emergency and we continue to make improvements as we can. Some of them you will hear about very soon as we were already planning some changes that will require your help to increase the safety of our students and parishioners.

Earlier this week, we received a phone call from our Mayor, Shammas Malik, who expressed his sympathy, concern and desire to help the parish through a difficult time. We have seen an increase of police presence in our area and there is one officer who is volunteering to be at Mass every Thursday.

Please keep your parish and its missions, particularly its School, in your Prayers, even as we remember the families who are reeling from the tragedy in Minneapolis.

IN OTHER NEWS:

ANNUAL EUCHARISTIC DEVOTIONS: Our Annual Forty Hours of Devotions will be next week on September 14, following the 11am Sunday Mass. There are signup sheets on the altar rail by the Blessed Virgin Mary statue. It would be great to have at least two or three people on each hour to ensure that our Eucharistic Lord always has someone before him. Difficult hours to fill are inevitably dinner time and those wee hours of the morning. Please consider adopting an hour (or more!) over the three days of our devotion.

Also, if you are not able to take an hour, still come for whatever time you are available, especially at the top of an hour when there is a transition between hours to help make sure there is always someone in the church. Thank you!

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION: Welcome back students and catechists! May you have a blessed year of growing in the faith! Please keep our PSR program and its students in your prayers.

MUSICAL ARTS SERIES: Our new concert season was announced. The first concert will be September 21! OCIA: Thinking of becoming Catholic? Our inquiry program is begins soon, call Keith Johnson at 330-836-2233.

ALPHA: Join the conversation about the faith with others over food! Call Keith Johnson at 330-836-2233.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck