What an extraordinary time of grace it is to be a part of the St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church family. As we look back over the spectacular events of our Jubilee Year, my heart overflows with profound gratitude to Almighty God. The Lord has truly smiled upon our community, blessing our celebrations and pouring out His favor upon us.
Alongside the success of our Jubilee festivities, we look with joy at the beautiful renovation of our Church. This physical transformation stands as a testament to your faith, devotion, and sacrificial love. I want to give personal and heartfelt thanks to God for each and every one of you. Your prayers, your labor, your financial support, and your unyielding dedication have made all of this possible. You have helped build a beautiful dwelling place for the Lord and a spiritual home for our community.
We are highly anticipating two historic moments in the life of our parish. On Sunday, November 22, we will welcome Bishop John Dolan, who will solemnly dedicate our new altar and bless our renovated Church. Please mark your calendars for this liturgical celebration. Looking ahead into the new year, we are equally thrilled to welcome Bishop Peter Bui on January 9 to join us for our festive banquet and Jubilee Grand Finale.
Shaping the Next 50 Years: A Welcoming and Alive Faith
While we celebrate our history, this Jubilee is not merely a destination; it is a launching pad. As we look forward to the next 50 years, our primary mission is to keep the flame of faith alive, robust, and burning brightly. We want to ensure that St. Elizabeth Seton remains a vibrant, deeply welcoming sanctuary where anyone who walks through our doors immediately experiences the warmth, mercy, and hospitality of Jesus Christ.
To sustain this vision and serve the needs of our people, I am thrilled to announce the launch of six new ministries in our parish that fall under the banner of Abiding Parish Ministries. Inspired by the call to "abide in Me" (John 15:7), these ministries strengthen St. Elizabeth Seton as a place where individuals can encounter God's presence, grow in spiritual maturity, and carry His love into the surrounding community.
• Campus Beauty Ministry
• Church Cleaning Ministry
• Information Ministry
• Kitchen Coordination Ministry
• Landscaping Ministry
• Ministry of Presence
These ministries are designed to reach out, support, and foster deeper communal bonds. To make them successful, we need you. I warmly invite and encourage each of you to consider how God might be calling you to volunteer and share your unique gifts in service to these new groups.
To help us seamlessly navigate this exciting new chapter, I am pleased to introduce Dr. Kathy Goeppinger as our new parish liaison for projects and the coordinator of these six new ministries. We owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Goeppinger for graciously accepting to drive this vital initiative for our parish. Please look for more information in upcoming bulletins, where she will share comprehensive details about each ministry, our shared vision, and how you can get involved.
A Journey of Spiritual Renewal: 33 Days to Morning Glory
As we renew our parish structures and ministries, we must also intentionally renew our interior lives. I strongly encourage you to participate in an upcoming parish spiritual exercise: 33 Days to Morning Glory.
Start Date: Monday, November 9
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Deacon Tone Room / Library
What is “33 Days to Morning Glory”?
Based on the popular book by Fr. Michael Gaitley, this is a beautiful, easy-to-follow preparation for Marian Consecration. Over the course of 33 days, we will read short, daily reflections drawing wisdom from great saints like St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II.
In our spiritual lives, consecrating ourselves to Jesus through Mary is one of the most powerful ways to supercharge our relationship with Christ. Mary’s entire purpose is to bring us closer to the heart of her Son. By entering into this retreat together as a community, we place our lives, our families, and the next 50 years of our parish under her loving protection and maternal care. Please consider joining us for this life-changing spiritual journey. Contact Dcn. Jeff Arner or Michelle Harvey in the office for more information or to register.
May the Lord continue to bless you, protect you, and fill our parish with His holy joy.
God is good, all the time!
Fr. Williams Abba
“The only thing that counts is faith working through love” – Galatians 5:6
