Dear Parishioners of St. Elizabeth Seton,

I am happy to report we are making substantial progress on the flooring of our church!  The entire Nave, Narthex, Ministry Room and halls have been completed as of this week.  We have begun on the installation of the natural wood in the Sanctuary, Choir area and the ramp to these areas which is expected to take at least seven days of labor.  

Another major transformation beginning this week is in the Sacristy.  This is a very important part of the church that many of you have never seen.  The Sacristy is a dedicated space to allow for many important functions involved in the preparation for Mass.  This is where the priest and deacons put on their liturgical garments and prepare for Mass through prayer and reflection prior to processing into the church. This is the also the space in which sacred vessels, including chalices, patens, and ciboria are stored.  Most importantly, it is in the sacristy that liturgical necessities such as linens as well as the wine and the host are kept in preparation of consecration.  Our Sacristy also has a special feature called a Sacrarium, which is a special sink that drains directly into the ground to dispose of Holy Water and any particles of the Eucharist that remain in the Sacred Vessels.

While the St. Elizabeth Seton Sacristy was always slated for new flooring and paint, new cabinets were not included in the original plan. As noted in our Bulletin of July 26, 2026, we have added this work to our overall plan.  This process reminded me  to “never judge a book by its cover.”  While the cabinetry may have looked sturdy, the opening of drawers and doors revealed just the opposite.  We encountered cabinet doors that do not open properly, drawers that get stuck when pulled out, a counter top that can't be cleaned. The Sacristy needs to be fully renovated and I am happy to report this is happening this week.

Prior to our first Mass in our renovated church, I have asked Fr. Williams if we could offer an all parish open house for everyone to see the many renovations. We want this to be a thank you for your support, prayers, donations, and patience during this process.  While the date is still months away, I am hoping that when you see all the renovations, you will take a peek into the Sacristy and reflect on the importance of this sacred space. Know that we are taking special care of our wonderful priests, deacons and sacristans. After all, they are serving God and all of us. 

“God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.”

In Christ and with Gratitude,

Dr. Kathleen H. Goeppinger

Jubilee Chair