Last week, Marie Sardinha retired after 15 wonderful years of service at St. Sebastian. You can imagine how “shocked” I was when she asked to see me and told me the news back in December. I can’t thank Marie enough for all that she has done for our Parish. Marie was the Parish Receptionist who welcomed and attended to the needs of so many who came to the rectory over the course of the years, the first person people saw when they came to the rectory. Marie always had a smile and was always willing to be of service as best she can. Our rectory is so very busy with people calling and coming in for assistance in so many different ways. Marie handled all of this extremely well and with great professionalism. I know I will miss Marie very much in the rectory but I know I will see her at Mass and involved with the altar Guild and the opening of our parish Mass book in September, which she loves so very much! Thanks Marie for a job well done!

On St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday March 17, we will have a special Mass at 10.00AM to celebrate this special Saint who continues to draw us all closer to God in our lives. I wanted you to know that we will be having a short concert at 9:30AM in the Church. At the concert there will be the singing of Irish music, both religious and contemporary. I hope all of you can attend. After the Mass we will be having coffee and Irish soda bread in the lobby of the Church. This is where I need your help! I am asking you if you can either buy or bake, Irish soda bread, so we can enjoy it after the Mass with coffee. If you are interested in helping with this, may I ask you to please call the rectory and leave your name and how many soda breads you are planning to bring with you to the Mass. Thanks for your help with this!

Our young people have been receiving their first penance over these past couple of weeks. I am so thankful to God for the gift of His mercy and forgiveness in their lives. My prayer is that as they receive God’s mercy and forgiveness, they also will be His instruments of mercy to others.

Thanks for your support!

Father Abels
Rev. Kevin P. Abels
Pastor