Oct 01, 2026

Greetings,

Fr. Joseph and I will be away most of this week for the annual Priest’s Convocation with Bishop Malesic. Every year the priests are required (as much as that is possible) to come together and have meetings with our Bishop and hear talks and discuss plans for the future of the diocese. These convocations alternate every other year between a one-day event and one that lasts several days of the work week. This year, obviously, is the longer one.

All scheduled liturgical events will still take place at St. Sebastian Parish. Priests are coming in to cover Masses and confessions. Say a prayer for them, because without them we would have to cancel or substitute prayer services. Fr. Joseph and I expect to return to the parish on Friday afternoon in time for the 4pm confessions.

IN OTHER NEWS:

CONGRATULATIONS: A huge green thumbs up for our Grounds Crew and Cutting Garden Crew for their recognition by the “Keep Akron Beautiful” Beautification Watch Award! For forty-five years, Keep Akron Beautiful has been striving to keep our city an attractive place to live, work, and recreate. A letter accompanies our certificate that reads in part, “In recognition of the care and pride you have shown in maintaining your property, you have been selected as a recipient of our Keep Akron Beautiful’s 2026 Beautification Watch Award...because you exemplify the following qualities:

The property is free of litter.

The property features well-maintained flowers, shrubs, and trees.

The property is free of weeds.

The property stands out as an attractive and well-maintained asset within the neighborhood.”

Our property has become quite the destination for walkers. I hear often how appreciative people are because our grounds are so beautiful and “park-like.” A huge thank you to all of our volunteers who work so hard and accomplish so much on our nine acres! God bless you!

ORGAN CONCERT TODAY: This Sunday, October 4th at 4pm will be the inaugural concert of the 2026-2027 concert season. Mr. Paul Fey will be visiting us from Leipzig, Germany to take over the organ for our annual Lynn Frey-Steward Organ Scholarship Fund.

This scholarship assists young people in taking up the study of the pipe organ. As more colleges end their organ programs, we need to promote, even more, our young in taking up the organ so that there will be musicians to play for our liturgies in the future.

This concert is free and open to the public. There will be a free will offering at the end of the concert and all of the proceeds will go toward the Lynn Frey-Steward Scholarship.

SERVER TRAINING: Dear young parishioners and parents, we are in need of servers for our sanctuary! If you are at least 5th grade through high school, I want you to serve at Mass. There is a training on Monday, October 5th at 3:00. If this time or date is not good for you, please let us know so that other arrangements may be made. If you can come on Monday or if you want to see if a more convenient time or day may be arranged, contact Mr. Keith Johnson at (330) 836- 2233 x134 or by email at johnsonk@stsebastian.org.

We are constantly receiving compliments on our Server Corps. They are very well-respected by visiting clergy in particular. Here is your opportunity to become part of this excellent band of young men and women of service.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck