“I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” These timeless words of Psalm 122 echo in my heart today as I share the monumental news we have all been waiting for. After months of anticipation, sacrifice, and shared hope, our Church renovation effort is now 90% complete. The finish line is firmly in sight, and our sacred home is almost ready to open its doors to welcome us back into its beauty.

When we embarked on this ambitious journey, we knew it would require more than just bricks, mortar, and paint; it would require the living stones of this parish—your faith, your prayers, and your remarkable endurance. Today, I am thrilled to announce that the waiting phase will soon be over. You have been an immense blessing to this project, and I want to express my deepest, most profound gratitude for your unwavering patience, your understanding, and your joyous spirit throughout this entire process. You have proven that the Church is not merely a building, but a community united in the heart of Christ.

Recapping Our Journey: Stage by Stage

To truly appreciate where we are going, it is beautiful to look back at how far we have come. This transformation has been a meticulous, stage-by-stage labor of love:

1. The Deconstruction Stage: Our journey began with the necessary and sobering task of stripping away the old to make way for the new. Flooring was removed, walls were prepared, and the interior was completely cleared, exposing the raw skeleton of our sanctuary and the defects there were.

2. The Structural and Infrastructure Phase: Behind-the-scenes work quickly followed. Upgrades to lighting, sound acoustics, and electrical systems were integrated to ensure that our worship space would be functional, safe, and modern for generations to come.

3. The Finishes and Artistry Phase: Over the last few months, we have watched the skeletal structure transform. Fine woodwork, beautiful new flooring, pew installation, rail installations, and pristine painting have brought a fresh, transcendent dignity to the interior.

4. The Final Touches (Present Stage): We are currently putting the finishing touches on the sanctuary, detailing the liturgical spaces, and preparing for the installation of our central focus: the new altar.

Remembering the Hall: Our Holy Place of Encounter

It feels like just yesterday that we marked the historic beginning of this transition. Cast your minds back to April 24, 2026. On that grace-filled day, we gathered for a solemn, prayerful movement of the Holy Eucharist from the church building over to our parish hall.

We knew the hall would be our temporary place of worship, but it quickly became so much more. It transformed into a true place of encounter. Over the past several months, within those simple walls, the Holy Spirit has moved powerfully. We have celebrated the sacraments, shared tears and laughter, and grown closer as a family of faith. We have truly enjoyed every single bit of our worship there, proving that God's presence is never limited by grandeur, but thrives wherever his people gather in love.

The Grand Return: Altar Dedication and Church Blessing by Bishop Dolan

Now, the time has come to prepare our hearts for the grand return. I am overjoyed to announce that Most Reverend Bishop John P. Dolan has graciously accepted our invitation to consecrate our new altar and bless our renovated church. 

This historic event will take place on November 22, 2026, on the magnificent Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

Our homecoming will be marked by a beautiful, symbolic liturgical procession that mirrors our departure months ago:

• The Final Hall Mass & Procession: We will celebrate the 9:00 AM Mass in the parish hall. Immediately following this Mass, we will form a grand, solemn procession, carrying the Holy Eucharist joyfully back across the campus to the chapel.

• The Solemn Mass of Consecration: At 11:00 AM, Bishop Dolan will preside over the very first Mass celebrated in our newly renovated church. During this Mass, he will formally consecrate our new altar and bless the building, marking our official, triumphal return to our beloved place of worship.

As we prepare for this movement, we claim the beautiful promise of Psalm 126:5-6: “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” We went out solemnly, but we are coming back into our sanctuary with absolute, radiant joy. 

A Symphony of Thanksgiving

A transformation of this magnitude only happens when a community comes together with a single heart and mind. First and foremost, thank you, parishioners of St. Elizabeth Seton, for your extraordinary financial support, your spiritual stewardship, and your tireless encouragement. This beautiful new church belongs to you, and it stands as a testament to your faith.

Finally, a very special tribute must be paid to a pillar of this project. I want to thank Dr. Kathy Goeppinger profusely, whose immense sacrifice, vision, and tireless labor of love made these magnificent changes possible. Dr. Goeppinger’s dedication behind the scenes ensured that our dreams for this sanctuary, as articulated by you, were translated into a breathtaking reality. We owe her a debt of gratitude that words cannot fully express. May the Lord reward her generosity and devotion abundantly.

Please mark your calendars for November 22, 2026. Let us begin a spiritual novena of thanksgiving in our hearts as we count down the days to our homecoming.

God is good, all the time! 

Fr. Williams Abba
“The only thing that counts is faith working through love” – Galatians 5:6