Aug 05, 2021

Greetings,

This is our annual Mission Appeal Weekend. Sr. Rita Gesue of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth will be speaking before all of the Masses. According to their website, “The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are an international Congregation in a multicultural world. Impelled by the love of Christ, in the tradition of Vincent de Paul and the pioneer spirit of Catherine Spalding, Sisters and Associates are committed to work for justice in solidarity with oppressed peoples, especially the economically poor and women, and to care for the earth. They risk their lives and resources, both personally and corporately, as they engage in diverse ministries in carrying out this mission.”

IN OTHER NEWS:

SEMINARIANS: This week will be the final one with our seminarians. Charlie and Cameron’s last Mass will be on August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption. They have served the parish abundantly over the past year especially during COVID and now it is time for them to return to the seminary to continue their studies. If you get the chance, give them a thank you pat on the shoulder and say a pray for them. If you want to do more, assistance for such things as book purchases, albs (for their first year of theology) gas and such are always welcome, but your thanks and prayers mean more than you know.

COMPOUNDED COMPLINES: This coming Saturday night, August 7th, will be the first of nine nights of Compline (the official Night Prayer of the Church) being celebrated at nine select parishes throughout the diocese as a sort of novena of night prayers leading up to the Feast of the Assumption. St. Sebastian will celebrate night prayer (about 15 minutes) each night beginning at 8:30pm. Come to one, come to all, make them all here or travel around the diocese to visit the various parishes that are participating (See page 5 of the bulletin.) Invite someone to join. A person doesn’t even have to be Catholic to pray night prayer. A person doesn’t even have to be particularly religious to enjoy the beauty of the church at night and spend some time in contemplation. I hope to see you there.

On Tuesday, we already celebrate Compline with Benediction at 7:40pm. We will do so this Tuesday also and then have a second night prayer at 8:30pm.

SCAM: A number of you received texts that were supposedly from me stating that I wanted you to send me hundreds of dollars of iTunes cards. Just a reminder that I will never ask for such a thing. Please ignore it or if you suspect that it sounds credible, call the rectory office on the landline 330-836-2233 to confirm the message. Chances are if it strikes you the least bit odd, it is a scam. This is occurring at parishes throughout the diocese.

I asked Cathy Sivec to do some research as to why scammers want iTune cards. Why not Amazon cards or prepaid Visa cards? As it turns out, iTune cards are untraceable and can be transferred to cash via Apple Pay. So, beware of odd texts asking for iTune cards.

FR. CHIMA: Many of you may remember Fr. Chima who lived for a number of years at St. Sebastian and who is now Monsignor Chima Nwamadi, pastor of Virgo Potens Parish in Enugu, Nigeria, and also the Diocesan Psychologist. We received the following note from him over the weekend:

“I am writing to express my heartfelt condolences to you and also the members of St. Sebastian Parish on the death of your dear brother priest Fr. William D. Karg. Fr. Karg was loved by his parishioners as he served them selflessly. The news of his death was a big shock to me and I am finding it difficult to put it behind me. I lived with Fr. Karg for five years in the Rectory at St. Sebastian when I was pursuing my Ph.D. at the University of Akron. He was everything for me. He provided for me, took care of me and treated me with love. Hardly did he go for any outing without taking me along. He lavished the kindness of his heart on me, this is why I am finding it difficult to put his death behind me. I will forever miss him and I have been celebrating Holy Masses for the repose of his gentle soul.”

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck