The Church of Saint Sebastian 67 Cole Ave., Providence, RI 02906

(401)751-0196 stsebastianri.org

Mass Schedule

Monday - Friday: 8am

Saturday: 9 am

Sunday:

Saturday, 5pm - cantor (ad

experimentum, month of

June)

8am: Low Mass - no music

10am: organ and cantor

Both Sunday Masses are

celebrated with people in

attendance, as well as on

Facebook and Zoom.

Confessions:

Saturday at 4pm or by

appointment

Adoration of the Blessed

Sacrament

Monday - Friday, 7:15 - 8am

Parish Office Hours Closed until further notice

Parish Contact Information (410) 751-0196

June 14, 2020

Weekly Bulletin

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you.

Psalm 147: 12-13

PARISH Directory and INFORMATION Directory Parish Information: P: (401)751-0196 F: (401)273-2753 Web: https://stsebastianri.org/ Reverend Father Jordan Kelly, O.P. Pastor 401-500-2462 pastor@stsebastianri.org Elaine Ginn Receptionist/Secretary office@stsebastianri.org Carole Graves Director of Music/Organist music@stsebastianri.org Megan Morrow Cantor Robert Short Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization 401-272-6062 ssricgs@gmail.com Kristen Gold Assistant Religious Education Coordinator 401-272-6062 ssriprimaryre@gmail.com Kathy Harrington Parish Accountant finance@stsebastianri@org Parish Trustees Charles Rogers Catherine Taylor James Daly Ann Carnevale Elisa Vele-Tabaddor Douglas Nani Parish Finance Council Sarah Garcia-Mata Mary Hill Jamie Hill Janice Opalenski Patricia Recupero Fred Reinhardt Parish Council

WELCOME to the CHURCH of SAINT SEBASTIAN In my own name and on behalf of the People of Saint Sebastian’s, welcome to our Parish! If you are visiting, coming back to the Church and Mass after some time away, or looking for a Parish, you are most welcome here at Saint Sebastian’s.

Parish Registration Registration is the official way we join a parish community, please stop in the Parish Office or register online to become a registered parishioner. To be considered an active registered member of the parish, members are asked to give of their time, talent and treasure. The parish is in need of and welcomes all three parts of your stewardship.

Sacrament of Baptism Congratulations on the birth of your child! We require all parents and godparents to attend Sacramental Preparation Classes. Once you have called the rectory to plan for the baptism of your child, we will have someone contact you to set up a special appointment for Preparation classes. These classes are usually done one on one with each family and are conducted by a couple who are well prepared to teach and assist in Baptismal Preparation.

Sacrament of Matrimony Congratulations on your engagement and decision to enter into a Catholic marriage! Saint Sebastian Parish will help you in your preparation to ensure that you make this serious and sacred step in your life a holy and happy one. The day and time of your wedding must be arranged in person by the prospective bride and groom themselves as soon as they feel called to marry. No arrangement can be made by phone or parents. All arrangements should be made nine months prior to the wedding date and done prior to scheduling the reception. The first meeting with the Pastor may be scheduled by calling the Parish Office at (401) 751-0196. Spiritual preparation is a key part of this special time. Frequent participation in the sacraments during this time is important, particularly weekly Mass attendance. It is also strongly recommended that you bring yourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this time of preparation.

Religious Education By their word and their example, parents are the first and principal teachers of their children concerning our Catholic Faith. The Religious Education of Saint Sebastian’s stands ready to assist parents in their sacred and most important responsibility. Should you have any questions about the program please contact Ms. Kristen Gold at ssriprimaryre@gmail.com or Mr. Bob Short at ssricgs@gmail.com

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Saint Sebastian’s also offers Level One, ages 3 - 6, of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, commonly referred to as CGS. CGS is a Montessori-based program of faith formation. Please contact Mr. Bob Short, Catechist, at ssricgs@gmail.com

Robert Whelan Amy Thomas Karin Schrott Gerry Codola Catherine Denning Toni Dumville Robert Lough

Ellen Boyle

Jennifer Pizzuti

Parish Auditors

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

May the Grace of Our Lord remain always with us! Today, the Church celebrates Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Historically this solemnity was held on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, and then followed the next day of with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In Italy, Corpus Christi and the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart were holy days of obligation, all businesses and schools closed; and a great 4-day weekend was celebrated! This sequence of Feasts was given to us to teach us that the Eucharist gives us a pledge of love and future glory given to us in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Alas and alack, with the revision of the Liturgical Calendar in 1969, this sequence of celebration was lost. Nevertheless, over 4 days or one, Corpus Christi is another manifestation of the “one communion of love” we celebrate in the Trinity we are given through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The graces of the Eucharist are without number! Through the Eucharistic Feast Christ becomes our food; our souls are filled with grace; and a pledge of future glory is given to us.” The Eucharist is the food which nourishes us and allows us to live our Catholic Faith. The Eucharist is grace, the creative, sustaining, self-gift of God, fills our souls, forgiving our venial sins, making us one with another, and joining us to the Mystical Body of Christ. The Eucharist is the pledge of heavenly glory that we will know when we meet God as we gaze upon Him face to face. We need the Eucharist to keep us walking towards the heart of God, as we strive live to virtuously and in charity towards one another. In the midst of the senseless riots that swept our country, we celebrated the Feast of Saint Norbert on June 6 (1080 – 1126). Saint Norbert is known as the “Apostle of the Eucharist and Reconciliation”. Norbert gained this title from a personal experience. St. Norbert gave his life to works of reconciliation. His conversion from corridors of entitlement and wealth was triggered by an act of violence perpetrated by civil and church authorities conflicted over who would control whom. Countless people suffered punishment and even death. He became a wandering preacher of peace who ceaselessly and unto death

brokered peace between the church and civil power. Norbert would enter a meeting only after he had celebrated Mass, saying, “with the Sacrament of Charity filling my body and soul, I can only see Christ in those around me”. We need Saint Norbert today! Do we need a new Saint Norbert today, or do we need the source of Norbert’s strength? We need to remember Saint Norbert’s example of reconciliation and charity, but by his example and experience we need to grow in our love for and our dependence upon the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Through COVID-19 we have learned how essential the Eucharist is to our lives! Many of you have mentioned to me how much you have missed the Eucharist; or how wonderful it is to be able to receive Communion again: may this recent experience lead us to love Christ in the Eucharist more and more! As Catholics do we believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ? The Blessed Sacrament is not a symbol or a sign, but the living and real presence of Christ Himself. Do we act reverently in His Divine presence; are our souls in a state of Grace when we receive Him? Sacraments effect what they signify. The Eucharist is the greatest sign of unity that exists between humanity and Christ! As we are united with Christ and the hosts of heaven, the Eucharist teaches us to live in unity with one another, and in recognition of that whatever race, gender, ethnicity, or creed we are all made in the image and likeness of God and we are therefore, ONE. Do we live this way? The soul is filled with grace… it is grace alone that guides us to embrace and to live all that is given to us in the Eucharist. No wonder we cry out, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed!” Until we meet at the altar… O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee! In the Lord,

From FATHER JORDAN, O.P. , Pastor

MASS Intentions

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 – 9AM IN CHURCH

Saint Anthony of Padua

For the end of violence in our country

4pm - Confessions

Vigil of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and

Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi

5pm: Vigil Mass – Music led by cantor

+ Thomas Corrigan, Sr. on the 5th Anniversary of his death;

requested by his family/Opening of the Father’s Day Novena

SUNDAY, JUNE 14 The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of

Christ – Corpus Christi/Father’s Day Novena

8am: Low Mass – Quiet Mass

Pro Populo

10am: Music with organ and cantor

+ Angela Margiotta

MONDAY, JUNE 15 – 8AM IN CHURCH Weekday/Father’s Day Novena

+ Fr. Christopher Johnson, O.P.

TUESDAY, JUNE 16 – 8AM IN CHURCH Weekday/Father’s Day Novena

The intentions of Elizabeth Condon Sheffer

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 – 8AM IN CHURCH Weekday/Father’s Day Novena

The Sheffer Children

THURSDAY, JUNE 18 – 8AM IN CHURCH Weekday/Father’s Day Novena

For the intentions and health of The Castaldi Family

FRIDAY, JUNE 19 – 8AM IN CHURCH The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus/

Father’s Day Novena

For the intentions of the living and deceased members of the Sheffer Family

SATURDAY, JUNE 20 – 9AM IN CHURCH The healing of our Church and country

4pm – Confession

12th Sunday in Ordinary/Father’s Day Novena

5pm – Anticipated Mass

+ Father J. Gilbert Graham, O.P.

Masses are celebrated as follows:

Monday – Friday: 8am; Saturday: 9am

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Monday –

Friday, 7:15 – 8am

Sunday Vigil Mass: 5pm

Sunday Masses are celebrated at 8 and 10am.

Both Masses are available via Zoom, or the

Parish Facebook Page

The Church is open daily from 8:30am – 7pm.

Come, rest, and pray!

PARISH PRAYER Requests

If you would like someone included in the Prayers for the Sick, please call the office at 401.751.0196 .

LET US PRAY FOR ALL WHO ARE ILL:

Belle Calenda; Joseph Kennedy; Donna Conlin;

Austin Dix; Jean Devlin Haight, Matthew and

Timothy Pierce; those who die because of violence;

and those who live with addiction: let us pray to the

Lord.

LET US PRAY FOR OUR BELOVED DEAD:

all who die by violence; Harriet Ford; Sister Mary

Benedict, O.P.; and all the living and deceased

members of our parish: let us pray to the Lord.

WITH THE LORD THERE IS MERCY AND

THE FULLNESS OF REDEMPTION

Please join me in extending our deepest sympathy

and prayers to Sarah Heaton upon the passing of her

maternal Grandmother, Harriet Ford. Sarah is a

former parishioner of Saint Sebastian, who still

maintains our Website and designs and produces our

weekly bulletin from her family home in Colorado.

May Harriet, and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God rest in peace!

JOIN us IN PRAYER

AROUND the PARISH

PARISH FINANCES Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support of the Parish. This week’s numbers are:

Gross Income: $6,788.00 Budget Offering to Parish: $5,203.00 Maintenance Collection: $ 710.00 Easter Holy Day: $ 125.00 Tuition Assistance: $ 500.00 Grocery Gift Cards $ 250.00 Net Income to Parish: $ 6038.00

Thank you to the parishioners who “paid ahead” in their budget offerings before being away for the summer: this is a great help and is most appreciated. Also, thank you to those parishioners who have arranged for their weekly contributions to continue via Parish Pay. If the total amount of this week’s Budget Offering, $5,203.00, was collected every weekend, the Parish would operate with much less financial anxiety. Thank you for your generosity! THANK YOU! GROCERY GIFT CARD Thank you for your extremely generous response to the Grocery Gift Cards. To date we have raised $2,575.00 The amount raised over the purchased amount of $750 allows us to purchase more gift cards. Thank you! Fr. Jordan

FATHER’S DAY NOVENA

The Annual Father’s Day Novena began on

Saturday, June 13. Please email the names of

those fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, and

Godfathers ASAP.

AROUND the PARISH

CATHOLIC SCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE Saint Sebastian has been very generous in assisting Catholic Parents to provide their children with the great blessing of a Catholic Education. The Diocese has a process for awarding this assistance to families in need. We have not followed this process at all. Given our particular circumstances, to change the way in which these monies have been distributed is too difficult a cultural change to accomplish. The amount of money we have to distribute is based directly on the total amount of our offertory income. Families who seek Tuition Assistance need to be registered and active parishioners; being involved in the life of the Parish by participating as an Altar Server, Lector, Eucharistic Minister or Greeter, or some other identifiable service to the Parish; contributes to the offertory as means allow on a regular basis; and attends Mass at Saint Sebastian on a regular basis. As a result of COVID – 19 I know that many parents are forced with having to choose between Catholic Schools and other essential needs. The Parish remains committed to helping as many Catholic Families as possible keep their children in Catholic Schools. Please contact me at your earliest convenience if you are requesting tuition assistance for the upcoming school year.

AROUND the PARISH

SAVE THE DATES

Monday – Friday, July 13 – 17: Vacation Bible

School

A QUESTION FROM FATHER JORDAN

During the weeks of being quarantined the bulletin

has had a column marked, Ask Father Jordan.

Not one question. So, I thought I would ask all of

you a question:

What is a social activity you would like to see

take place at Saint Sebastian?

Email your answer to: pastor@stsebastianri.org.

RESUMING PUBLIC MASSES AND THE MASS

SCHEDULE

Attendance June 6 and 7:

5pm: 41

8am: 16

10am: 96

Total: 153

• As the summer begins our attendance decreases

considerably – this especially effects the Saturday 5pm

Vigil Mass.

• What I propose is the following:

• For the month of June, the Mass Schedule will

be: Saturday at 5pm; Sunday at 8 and

10am.

• By the end of June we will have enough data

to see which Masses have the better

attendance and make decisions from there.

• Please let me know your thoughts on this

schedule.

FACEBOOK PAGE

Please visit our new Parish Facebook Page.

Daily Mass is being lived streamed at 8am and

Sunday Mass at 8am and 10am.

Our Doors

are Open

for You!