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Congratulations Father Chuck! MikeKamenski

Fr.ChuckSchrammCelebrates50thAnniversaryofOrdinationonMay22

Ourformerpastor(July1992-June2005)iscelebratinghis50-yearanniversaryasapriest.Fr.Chuckstillplaysavitalroleinourparish,celebratingMassasavisitingpriestonmanySundays.Hehasfondmemoriesandagratefulheartforthe13yearsheministeredhere.HethoughthewouldretirefromSebsbutwascalleduponforadditionalministry.TheneighborhoodofWashingtonHeights,withitswidevarietyofpeople,broughthimgreatjoywhenhelivedthere. Fr.ChuckwasbornonMay12,1940inFondduLac,Wisconsin.HejoinedtheArmyattheageof23.Duringhisyearsinthemilitary(January1960-

March1962)heservedinKoreafor16months.Koreawasapoverty-strickencountryandheaskedofhimselfsomeoflife’sbiggestquestionswhilethere,including“WhereisGodinthispoverty?”TheseconcernsandcuriositiesweresupportedbytheArmyChaplainwho,asFr.Chuckrecalls,hadagreatlisteningearandpowerfulmodelofservicetothetroops.WhileintheArmy,anideapoppedintoFr.Chuck’shead–“Whynotbeapriest?”Hisfirstreactionwastolaugh–“Me,apriest?”Buttheideaneverlefthim.HeattendedSt.LawrenceSeminaryinMt.CalvaryandwasordainedonMay22,1971,havingreceivedhisThM(MasterofTheology).HisfirstassignmentwasassociatepastoratSt.MaryinHalesCornerswhereheservedforsevenyears.Followingthat,ArchbishopRembertWeakland

June 2021 >>> Contents − Fr. Chuck’s Anniversary – p.1-2 − Human Concerns – p. 3-6 − Finance Committee – p. 7 − Faith Formation – p. 8 − Prayer & Worship – p. 9 − Liturgy – p. 10 − School – p. 10 − Cabaret – p. 10

www.SaintSebestianOnline.net5400WestWashingtonBoulevard,Milwaukee,WI53208(414)453-1061

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askedhimtobehissecretary,arolehefulfilledforfourmonths.Feelingthisnottobehiscalling,heaskedtobetransferredtoparishministry.Fr.ChuckwasassociatepastoratSt.MatthiasinMilwaukeeforfiveyears(1978-1983)andthenwasappointedpastoratOurLadyofLourdesinMilwaukeefrom1983-1992.In1992hewasappointedpastorofSt.Sebastian,whereheremaineduntil2005.HeexpectedtoretireonceheleftSt.SebsbutwasassignedaspastorofSt.MaryinHalesCornersfrom2005-2014,followingwhichhedid“retire.”Inhis“retirement,”hecurrentlyservesastemporaryadministratorofSt.MatthiasinMilwaukee.Fr.Chuckfoundanothercallinginlife.HeenteredUW-Mandatage49receivedasecondMaster’sDegree,hisMSW(MasterofSocialWork).Hewasnowableto“hanghisshingle”anddoprofessionalcounseling.Thishehasdoneformostofhiscareer,oftenblendingtraditionalcounselingwithspiritualcounseling.Asayouth,Fr.Chuckownedahorseandenjoyedridingand“showing”hisandothers’horses.Otherhobbiesincludedwatchingmovies,readingandsocializing.Twofavoritemoviesare“SavingPrivateRyan”(starringTomHanks)and“OnGoldenPond”(starringHenryFondaandKatharineHepburn).Movieswithdeepermeaningandpsychologicaldevelopmentarehispreference.Havingafarmer-mother,hewasfondof“classic”country,includingartistslikePatsyClineandLorettaLynn.Asforothermusicalpreferences,havingplayedalittlepianoasayouth,hedoesenjoyclassicalmusic,includingthecompositionsofGustavMahlerandthepiece“TheArmedMan”byKarlJenkins(performedbytheSt.SebastianChoirwiththeMenomoneeFallsSymphonyOrchestra).Fr.Chucksaysthatthemostinfluentialbookhehasreadis“ReligionandPersonality”byAdrianVanKaam.VanKaamisareligiousorderpriestwhosebookopenedawholenewworldtohimontheconnectionbetweenspiritualityandthepersonalitysciences.ScriptureandspiritualityareextremelyimportantpartsofFr.Chuck’spersonalandprofessionallife.Hehaslongstudiedthescripturesandcontinuestodoso.Hehastaughtscriptureclassesthroughouthispriestlyministryandstillfindshisscripturestudygroupsagreatdelight.Hisviewofspiritualityiswholistic:prayer,rest,eatingrightandexercise.Theellipticalmachineisthepresentfocusofhiscommitmenttoexercise,whichhedoes…“religiously”!Hestateshis“lifephilosophy”asfollows:“Inmyolderyears,Ihavetriedtoadoptthefollowingmotto–Maximizethegoodyoucandowithwhatyou’vegot.”Fr.ChuckhasawishfortheChurch,namely,thatPopeFrancislivelongenoughforhisChrist-likeSpirittospreadtoallpeopleandtakelastingroot.HerecalledhowthePopehumblyboweddownashewasmadePope,askingforthepeople’sblessing.Fr.Chuckhadatthatmomentarenewedsenseofhisownpriesthood,thathenotbesetapartfromthepeopleasapriest,butratherbewiththepeople,“smellingofsheep,”asPopeFrancishasbeenknowntosay. Wearegratefulforhis50yearsofservice,especiallyforhiscommitmenttoSt.SebastianParish.BlessingstoFr.ChuckSchrammonhis50thanniversaryofpriesthood!

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Human Concerns Reports >>> Women’s Care Center DeaconJimMatthias

ThankYouforWalkingwithMom’sinNeed

TheFriendsforLifeGroupandtheHumanConcernsCommitteewouldliketothankallwhoparticipatedintheMother’sDaycollectionforbabyitemsanddiapers.Manywonderfulitemswerecollectedincludingcashandgiftcards.ItemswerecollectedtobenefittheWomen’sCareCenterofMilwaukeeaspartoftheArchdiocesaneffortof“WalkingwithMomsinNeed.”

Thispastyear,St.Sebastianhasstressed“solidarity”asoneofthetenetsofCatholicSocialTeaching.ItisimportantformothersinneedtoknowthatCatholics standinsolidaritywiththembeforeandaftergivingbirth.Nooneshouldeverfeelaloneorwithouthelp,especiallynewandexpectantmomsandthepreciouslittlelivestheybringwiththem.

Facing Racism SusanRagatz

OurSilenceSpeaksVolumes

SixyearsagoinJune,ayoungwhitemanwalkedintoablackchurchinCharleston,SouthCarolina.HewasinvitedtojoinaBiblestudysessionandsatdownwiththemembers.Attheend,aspeoplejoinedhandsandclosedtheireyesforafinalprayer,hetookoutaGlock45andbeganfiring70rounds.Ninepeopledied,aged26to87.Otherswereseriouslyinjured.

Whenaskedwhy,herepeatedviciousracistliesthathadnothingtodowiththepeopleheshotorhisownexperiences.He’dreadtheminwhitesupremacistandAmericanNazirants.Hecombinedthemwithhispersonalfrustrationsandashebrooded,theyfedhisgrowinghate.

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Whydidhechooseliesovertheevidenceofhisowneyesandexperiences?Hehopedhisviolencewouldstartaracewar.Hesitsinprisonnow,facingadeathsentence,stillunrepentant.Istheresomething‘wrong’withhim?Verylikely.Butwhataboutthepeoplewhomakeupthelies,spreadthemontheinternetandelsewhereformoneyandpower?Istheresomething‘wrong'withthemtoo,togeneratehateforgain?Andwhataboutus?Whatresponsibilitydoweshareifwe’resilentinthefaceoflies,oftheinjusticepromotedbythoselies?WWJD?“Intheend,wewillremembernotthewordsofourenemies,butthesilenceofourfriends.”―MartinLutherKingJr.

Group Visit to Nelson Mandela Exhibit JudyBallard

ExhibitIsImmersive,LivingHistoryLesson

TheFacingRacismParishEducationSubcommitteeisplanningagroupvisittotheMilwaukeePublicMuseumtoseethetravelingexhibitontheLifeofNelsonMandela.Milwaukeeisthefirstofstoponthetour.ThisisacollaborativeprojectbetweentheMilwaukeePublicMuseumandtheBlackHolocaustMuseum.PhotocourtesyofMilwaukeePublicMuseum

ThisexhibithopestoofferamorecompleteunderstandingofMandela,whobecamethefirstBlackSouthAfricanpresidentafteryearsasapoliticalprisonerduetohisfightagainstthecountry'sracistapartheidsystem.TheexhibitopenedamonthagoandwillcontinuetobeshownuntilAugust1.TheMilwaukeePublicMuseumisopenfromThursdaythroughSundayfrom10a.m.to5p.m.Thecostis$22foradultsandkids14andup;$18forSeniors65+;and$16forkids4-13yearsold.AnyonewhohasamembershiptotheMuseumcanseetheexhibitatnoadditionalcost.Ticketsmustbepurchasedonline.OurFacingRacismsubcommitteeisplanningtovisittheexhibitasagroupononeofthesedatesandtimes:Thursday,June10or17,inthemorningorafternoonoronSunday,June13,intheafternoon.Wealsowouldliketomeetafterviewingtheexhibittohaveadiscussiononwhatwaslearnedorwhatwecantakeawaythatwillhelpusindealingwithracisminourowncommunityandcountry.FurtherdetailswillbeintheParishbulletininearlyJuneandonFacebook.Ifanyoneisinterestedingoingwiththegrouporwouldlikefurtherinformation,youcancontactJudyBallardat414379-1797.Wewouldencourageparishionerswhoareinterestedinseeingthe

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exhibitontheirownoratadifferenttime,togoonlinetoMilwaukeePublicMuseumtopurchasetickets.Thereisalimitonthenumberofpeopleallowedintoseetheexhibit.

Mass Incarceration Group Update MaryCarian

LegislatureContactNeededAtthefirstlegislativefinancecommitteethefollowingprogramswerestrippedfromthebudget:EarnedEarlyRelease,AlternativestoRevocation,andDriverLicensesforUndocumentedWorkers.TreatmentAlternativesandDiversions(TAD)andTransitionalJobsarestillinthebudget.Thankstoallwhocontactedtheirlegislators.PleasegivethemanothercallandaskthemtofullyfundTADandTransitionalJobs.Ongoingcommunicationisimportant.Ifyoudon’talreadyhavetheircontactinfoonyourphoneand/orcomputer,youcanfinditathttps://legis.wisconsin.gov

Community Supported Agriculture RhondaVanPembrook

St.Sebastian’sCSAMinistryandCatholicSocialTeaching

MyguessisthatnotmanychurchesincludeCommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA)programsintheirHumanConcernsministries,yethereatSt.Sebastian,aspartofourSustainability/CareforCreationCommittee,wehavehadastrongCSAministryforoveradecade.Itbeganwithawell-attendedindoorWinterFarmer’sMarketandfarm-to-tablebrunchin2009that,inpart,raisedmoneyforfarmcrisisorganization.NowthemarketandbrunchisanannualparisheventthatmayresumeinMarch2022,iftheCovid-19healthemergencyisnolongerathreat. PhotocourtesyofFarmHappywebsiteOurCSAministryalsopromotesdirectconnectionswithtwosmallfarmsandhostsasitenotfarfromSt.Sebastianwherethesefarmsmakeregulardeliveriesoftheirorganicmeats,eggsandvegetables.Formoreinformationortoplaceanordercontactthefarmsthroughtheironlinestoresathttps://greenfirefarmllc.com/(meatandeggs)orhttps://www.farmhappyjackson.com/(seasonalvegetables).YoucanalsocontactfellowparishionerRhondaVanPembrookwithquestions(414-640-3805orrvp7@yahoo.com).Alongwithnourishingourbodies,ourinvolvementinCSAcanandhasnourishedoursouls.Overtheyearsweofferedopportunitiesforparishionerstoexplorehowourfaithinformstheneedtocreaterightrelationshipswithfoodandfarming.FromgivinggratitudetoGod,toconsideringhowfarmingpracticesaffectthesoilorhowUSpoliciesimpactmigrantfarmworkerswhoharvestthefoodonourtablesandmuchmore,thereisalottoconsiderwhenafaithfulpersonintentionallyreflectsonthesematters.

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Foranin-depthreviewofagriculturalissuesandCatholicSocialTeaching,youcanreadandreflectonForIWasHungryandYouGavemeFood,apublicationbytheUSConferenceofCatholicBishops(USCCB)whichyoucanfindon-linehere:https://www.usccb.org/resources/i-was-hungry-you-gave-me-food.Eachyear,St.Sebastian’sHumanConcernsCommitteehighlightsoneofthesevenprinciplesofCatholicSocialTeachingandhowourparishandtheworkofthecommitteeareincorporatingtheprincipleinourministriesandoutreachefforts.Thispastyearwe’vebeenfocusingon“Solidarity.”Inthatregard,ourCSAministryhelpsparishionersliveourfaithasweaccompanyandsupportindividualfarmersaswellasraiseanddonatemoneytothestate-wideHarvestofHopefundthatgivesgrantstosmallfarmersfacingaspecificfinancialcrisis.

Asignthatwepracticesolidarityisthatthefarmersweworkwithrecognizethatwhen“doingbusiness”withSt.Sebastianparishioners,theexchangeisnotsimplyoneofmoneyforfood.Ratherourtransactionsbuildrelationshipsandcomewithasincereappreciationfortheirworkandproduct,adesiretoseetheiroperationssucceedandawillingnesstosupporttheirfarmthroughpromotion,workdaysonthefarmandanongoingcommitmenttothem.Theyrecognizetheydonotwalkaloneinthedemanding,difficultandimportantlife-sustainingvocationtheyhavechosen.

PhotocourtesyofGreenFireFarmwebsite

AtSt.Sebastian,throughourCSAministry,wearemeetingthecallputforthintheUSCCBpublicationreferencedabovewhichstates,“Inthecaseofagriculture,solidarityandsubsidiarityleadustosupportandpromotesmaller,family-runfarmsnotonlytoproducefood,butalsotoprovidealivelihoodforfamiliesandtoformthefoundationofruralcommunities.”and“Wemusthelpfamiliestomaintaintheirfarmsandhelpotherstobeginfarming.”Pleasecontinueprayingforallfarmersandsupportingthemwithvisitstoyourlocalfarmers’marketsorthroughon-lineorderswithfarmerJacobMartyatGreenFireFarmandfarmersJenniferandJohnatFarmHappy.

GettingToKnowYouDidyouknowtheJonMetz,AdultFormationMinister,hasbeeninterviewingmembersofourcommunityweeklyallyear?HehasinterviewedHeatherGrams,Fr.PeterPatrick,DillonAmbrose,Mr.Bill,PattyHiggins,BryanKirkpatrick,DerekMosleyandatonmore.IfyouareinterestedincheckingoutanyoftheseinterviewslookattheSebsYoutubepageorfollowthislink:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaei2H9kDLhdglv8LRtHxc-Qe78vd2ANw

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Finance Committee Updates >>> Fiscal Year Budget Approved JoannPerleberg

FallState-of-the-ParishMeetingPlannedThefinancecouncilapprovedthebudgetforFiscalYear2021-2022onMarch17.Thebudgetthatwasapprovedhadinputfromstaffandthevariousstandingcommittees.Wearepredictingthatgivingwillreturntopre-COVIDlevelsandthatschoolenrollmentwillremainthesame.Thebudgetincludesfacultypayincreasesofatleast3%andotherstaffpayincreasesonaverageof1%.Itisestimatedthatutilitieswillincreaseabout10%andhealthinsurancewillincreaseabout5%.Allotherexpenseswillremainunchanged.Wealsoincludedfundingforafull-timedevelopmentpersontobefundedthroughreserves.Thefinancecouncilplanstoholdastate-of-the-parishmeetingsometimeinfall,solookfordetailsinthecomingmonths.Wecontinuetobeblessedbythesupportofourparishioners.WestrivetobegoodstewardsofthegiftsSt.Sebastianreceivesfromitsparishioners.Ifyouwouldliketoseeacopyoftheapprovedbudget,pleasefollowthislink:http://saintsebastianonline.net/download/21-22-Budget-to-post.pdfIfyouhavequestionsaboutthebudget,pleasecontactJoannPerleberg,clusterfinancedirector,atjperleberg@saintsebs.orgorMaricoletteWalsh,financecouncilchair,atmwalshirish@wi.rr.com.

Update on Bell Tower Repairs MaricoletteWalsh

AdditionalWorkRequiredasConstructionProgressesAsisoftenthecase,whencontractorsandourbuildingandgroundspeoplehadaccesstothebelltowerbythescaffolding,additionalissuesneedingattentionwereuncovered.Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtoreplacingtheoriginalroofonthecupola,theuppervaultroof,parapetwallflashing,somedecking,fascia,andthebelltowerladder.Thecrosshasdeterioratedandmustbereplacedalongwithlighteningprotection.Someadditionalelectricalcapacityisalsoneededforheatcablestopreventicefromforming.Theseprojectsamounttoapproximately$210,000.WebelievethatwewillbeabletoabsorbthiscostduetosomeexpectedsavingsinourcurrentbudgetalongwithourbuildingimprovementfundandtheloanfromtheSchoolFoundation.Yourcontributionsareatworkandareverymuchappreciatedbytheparish.Thisweekthescaffoldingwillbegoinguponthenorthwallinpreparationfortuckpointing.

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Faith Formation Updates >>> New Group Focuses on Moms MaggieShelledyMcAsey

AllMomsAreWelcome!ThenewMamasGroupcontinuestomeetonceamonthtotalkfaith,familyandeverythinginbetween.Allwhoidentifyasmothersarewelcometocheckoutameeting;wekeepthingscasual,lowcommitment,meaningful,andfititinunderanhour!Meetingshaveincludedmeditativeprayer,discussionofchildren'sfaithformationandmore.ThegroupisledbyChelseaDuffyandMaggieShelledyMcAsey.AsJuneisabusymonthforfamilies,insteadofourregularmeeting,we'reinvitingourgroupmemberstoattendtheOutdoorMassonJune20at10a.m.Wealsowillbeorganizingotheroutdoorgatheringsoverthesummer.Tobeaddedtotheemaillistandreceiveregularupdatesaboutupcomingget-togethersandmeetings,pleaseemailmedia@saintsebs.org.

KeepWatchingJesusTime! Ourhome-grownChildren’sLiturgyoftheWordvideoprogramisexpanding.ChrisFulcherishostingthevideoforSunday,November8,toconnectthescripturestotoday’slife.Andeatgarlicbread.Ifyouhaven’tseenJesusTime,you’remissingout. AllepisodesareonourYouTubechannel:https://bit.ly/SebsVid

FORMED Website EverySt.SebastianandStCatherineparishionerhasaccesstoFORMED.Step-by-stepDirectionsforyourfreeaccount:1.Gotohttp://www.formed.org 2.Select-SignUpButton3.Select–Signupasaparishioner 4.Findyourparish–St.SebastianMilwaukee5.SelectNext 6.Enteryournameandemail7.Select–SignUp 8.Youwillthenhaveaccesstoallofthecontent!

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Prayer & Worship Updates >>> Adoration of the Holy Eucharist DeaconJimMatthias

NextHolyHourisWednesday,June23,5:30-6:30p.m.

TheChurchstronglyencouragesbothprivateandpublicdevotiontowardtheEucharistandteachesthatprayerbeforetheLordsacramentallypresentintheEucharistactually"extendstheunionwithChristwhichthefaithfulhavereceivedincommunion."IthelpsthemtoliveinamoreChristianway,trying"tomaintainintheirliveswhattheyhavereceivedbyfaithandbysacraments"(TheRitesoftheCatholicChurch).Duringtimesofpublicadoration,whentheBlessedSacramentisexposedbyapriestordeacon,thereshouldbeprayers,songsandreadingstodirectthefaithfultotheworshipoftheLord,toencourageaprayerfulspirit.ThereshouldbereadingsfromscripturewithahomilyorbriefexhortationtodevelopabetterunderstandingoftheEucharisticmystery.ItisalsodesirableforpeopletorespondtotheWordofGodbysingingandtospendperiodsoftimeinreligioussilence.PartoftheliturgyofthehoursmaybecelebratedtoextendthepraiseandthanksgivingofHolyMass."Theelementsofprayer,thescriptures,praiseandsilenceareallanintegralpartofpublicadoration.AlloftheelementsofthepublicadorationshouldacknowledgethemarvelouspresenceofChristintheSacramentandfostertheworshipwhichisduetoChristinspiritandtruth.SuchpublicadorationoftheBlessedSacramentmustclearlyexpressitsrelationshiptotheMass"(TheRitesoftheCatholicChurch).

Prayer WhoHasAnythingbutWhatYouHaveGivenOLORDmyGod,mostmerciful,Mostsecret,mostpresent,Mostconstant,yetchangingallthings,Nevernew,andneverold,Everinaction,yeteverquiet,Creating,upholding,andperfectingall,Whohathanythingbutofthygift?Orwhatcananymansaywhenhespeakethofthee?Yethavemercyuponus,OLord,thatwemayspeakuntotheeandpraisethyName.JeremyTaylor,1613-1637

“Whatdoeslovelooklike?Ithasthehandstohelpothers.Ithasthefeettohastentothepoorandneedy.Ithaseyestoseemiseryandwant.Ithastheearstohearthesighsandsorrowsofmen.Thatiswhatlovelookslike.”SaintAugustine“ThemovementoftheSpiritofGodintheheartsofmenandwomenoftencallsthemtoactagainstthespiritoftheirtimesorcausesthemtoanticipateaspiritwhichisyetinthemaking.Inamomentofdedication,theyaregivenwisdomandcouragetodareadeedthatchallengesandtokindleahopethatinspires.”HowardThurman

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Liturgy Update >>> Special Outdoor Mass

Father’sDay-June20at10a.m.Whatcouldbemorespecialthanworshippingwithdadstocelebratetheirspecialday?Bringyourlawnchairsandyourdads,granddadsorfatherfigurestotheschoolplaygroundat10a.m.onFather'sDay,June20,2021.TheoutdoorMasswilltaketheplaceofbothofthe8a.m.and10:30a.m.regularly-scheduledMasses.Therewillbeplentyofroomoutsidetospreadoutandenjoy.Seeyouthere!

School Update >>> YAC Sports Update DianaKokalis

VolleyballCoachesNeeded

Wearelookingforvolleyballcoachesandassistantcoachesforthefallseason.Anyadultwhowouldbeavailableandhastakenthesafeguardingcoursewouldbeappreciated.Practicesareheldtwiceaweek;gamesforboysareheldonFridayeveningsandforgirlsareheldSaturdayinthemorningorearlyafternoon.PleasecontactDianaKokalisatsdk1998@yahoo.com.

Cabaret Update >>> Time to Pay the Piper RobinHensersky

VirtualWhodunnitComingSoon!

“TheorganpipesofSt.Brigid'sParishhavegonemissingrightbeforethebigParishAnniversarycelebration."Thisisavirtualwhodunnitfeaturingshrewddetectives,colorfulsuspectsandabigmystery!TheSaintSebastianCabaretTheatrewillbepresenting"TimetoPaythePiper"virtually.Viewinginformationwillbesharedsoon!"Forthosewhoenjoythissortofsilliness,thisisthesortofsillinessyouwillenjoy!"Pleasecontinuetoreadthebulletin;it’savailableonlineorifyouwouldliketohaveitmailed

toyou,contacttheparishofficeat414-453-1061.