2021 Feast Information
2021 FEAST UPDATE
Dear Parishioners,
Hope you are enjoying the summer. I am grateful to God that hurricane Henri did not do any significant damage to our community.
This note is to update you on the Feast in 2021. The Feast Committee reviewed the health situation in the City and advised me to cancel all external celebrations of the Feast in September 2021. It means that we will not have carnival rides, food booths or an organized procession. This will not – should not- diminish the faith or devotion to Saint Sebastian. Social aspects of the Feast are curtailed due to growing concerns on the Virus. The unveiling of the statue of the Saint will take place as scheduled. We will unveil the original statue of Sebastiano Marchese that the devotees carried in procession on the first feast in 1921. On Sunday we will have the Solemn Feast Mass at 11 AM. Devotees can pay tribute to the Saint and express their gratitude until late in the evening. The statue will be kept unveiled for another week. Our 100th Anniversary Feast Book will be released on September 11th and raffle drawing will take place on September 19th after 5 pm Mass in church. Your sponsor money you sent in will be used for our next Feast in May 2022. I take this opportunity to thank our devotees who contributed to the 100th Anniversary Memorial Addition. As of today, we have received $80,000 in donation or pledge. I hope many of you will support the project and memorialize your generosity to the next generations to come. God bless you all. May Saint Sebastian watch over you.
Yours devotedly in Our Lord,
Fr. James Thaikoottathil
Dear Parishioners,
Hope you are enjoying the summer. I am grateful to God that hurricane Henri did not do any significant damage to our community.
This note is to update you on the Feast in 2021. The Feast Committee reviewed the health situation in the City and advised me to cancel all external celebrations of the Feast in September 2021. It means that we will not have carnival rides, food booths or an organized procession. This will not – should not- diminish the faith or devotion to Saint Sebastian. Social aspects of the Feast are curtailed due to growing concerns on the Virus. The unveiling of the statue of the Saint will take place as scheduled. We will unveil the original statue of Sebastiano Marchese that the devotees carried in procession on the first feast in 1921. On Sunday we will have the Solemn Feast Mass at 11 AM. Devotees can pay tribute to the Saint and express their gratitude until late in the evening. The statue will be kept unveiled for another week. Our 100th Anniversary Feast Book will be released on September 11th and raffle drawing will take place on September 19th after 5 pm Mass in church. Your sponsor money you sent in will be used for our next Feast in May 2022. I take this opportunity to thank our devotees who contributed to the 100th Anniversary Memorial Addition. As of today, we have received $80,000 in donation or pledge. I hope many of you will support the project and memorialize your generosity to the next generations to come. God bless you all. May Saint Sebastian watch over you.
Yours devotedly in Our Lord,
Fr. James Thaikoottathil
Feast History
In 1921, the Italian Catholics created a committee to celebrate the Feast of Saint Sebastian. Committees were also formed to raise the necessary funds for the Feast which included two bands, which paraded in Italian Quarters, St. Sebastian Mass at St. John Church, an auction sale, a band concert, and fireworks!
East Court Street was the Italian commercial area of Middletown. In 1925, someone suggested placing a statute of St. Sebastian in what could be called a quasi-chapel located in a vacant store on East Court Street. The faithful practiced devotion to the Saint, offering money in thanksgiving for favors received and for many years these donations were mailed to the Feast of St. Sebastian in Melilli. This was a divine message from St. Sebastian that he wanted a Church in Middletown the same as the basilica in Melilli.
Since 1921, the Feast has occurred every year.
East Court Street was the Italian commercial area of Middletown. In 1925, someone suggested placing a statute of St. Sebastian in what could be called a quasi-chapel located in a vacant store on East Court Street. The faithful practiced devotion to the Saint, offering money in thanksgiving for favors received and for many years these donations were mailed to the Feast of St. Sebastian in Melilli. This was a divine message from St. Sebastian that he wanted a Church in Middletown the same as the basilica in Melilli.
Since 1921, the Feast has occurred every year.
Photo Credit: The Middletown Press
