Oct 24, 2025

Greetings,

There was some structural damage to the parking deck at our Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland.  Because of it, most of the deck has been closed.  This event has coincided with business in downtown Cleveland calling employees back to the office making parking a hot commodity.  As a result, large diocesan events would be a challenge to have at the Cathedral particularly when they take place during the week.

Of largest concern is the Chrism Mass which takes place on Tuesday of Holy week.  On that day, all the priests of the diocese are invited to what is called “The Presbyteral Day of Sanctification.”  On this day, your priests come together with our Bishop for talks, prayer, dinner and camaraderie.  Then a Mass is held at the Cathedral to which everyone in the diocese is invited.  During this Mass, the Bishop blesses all the oils that will be used throughout the diocese for the next year for such things as Baptisms, Confirmations, Ordinations, Healing of the Sick, consecrations of buildings and altars and so forth.  It is quite an important day in the life of a diocese.

This past week, I received a phone call from the diocese asking if St. Sebastian Parish would be willing to host the Chrism Mass this year owing to the difficulties that would be involved in having it downtown.  In my excitement I immediately said yes without really thinking about it. Now I wake up in the middle of the night and think such things as, “I hope we have a sufficient number of bathrooms.”  

In any event, I will be hoping that you will be able to volunteer that day.  I am not sure how much we are responsible for and how much the diocese will handle but when we do, I will put out a call.  The date will be March 31, 2026.  One way or the other I hope to see you there! 

IN OTHER NEWS:

STATE OF THE PARISH:  Next weekend at all the Masses you will hear our Annual State of the Parish address.  It is required of the diocese that I give you an accounting of the health of our parish once a year.  That weekend will also be Daylight Saving Time! FRONT STEPS OF THE

RECTORY:  You may have noticed the yellow tape on the west set of steps heading up to the front door of the rectory.  About a week ago I was looking at them thinking that the seams needed to be re-caulked.  Then a day later I thought it looked worse but wondered if it were my imagination.  The third day it was obvious that the middle step was falling in!  We have called the company to repair the step, but they are (of course) several weeks behind and will get here as soon as they can.  In the meantime, we must grow accustomed to the yellow tape!

THANK YOU, GROUNDS CREW:  You may have noticed when you came to Mass that all of the planters are gone, and all of the summer flowers and grasses have been removed.  Our volunteer grounds crew have battened down the parish gardens for the winter.  Thank you, guys!  When the next season starts, consider joining their ranks!  

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck