Dear Friends,
The Christmas season concludes this Sunday and Monday with the Solemnity of the Epiphany and Solemnity of the Lord’s Baptism respectfully. We all owe a debt of gratitude to all who made the Seasons of Advent and Christmas a blessing for our parish community. Special thanks to all the liturgical ministers - EMs, sacristans, lectors, servers, deacons, visiting priests; thanks to those who decorated the church and the young people who brought alive the Christmas story through the Christmas Eve pageant; thanks to the parish staff and volunteers who helped them in many hours of “behind the scenes” work. A special “shout out” our music ministry for their many hours of dedicated work. THANK YOU!
CLOW returns this Sunday at the 9:30 Mass and it is also Donut Sunday – we can’t let the 3 Kings go home hungry!
Winter Relief is fast approaching (February 6-13) when our parish will become home for 25 of our homeless brothers in Anne Arundel County. This is time-honored project and blessing for our parish. Matt Fritsch who coordinates this important project will be speaking at all Masses this weekend asking your assistance.
In my homily last weekend, I spoke of 8 new year’s resolutions inspired by the preaching of Pope Francis over the past year. A number of individuals asked that I publish the list in the bulletin. These resolutions appeared in America Magazine and are the work of Molly Cahill and Ashley McKinless who “mined” the homilies of the Holy Father for these resolutions:
- Volunteer for a local charity or non-profit;
- Stop judging others and gossiping about others;
- Take scripture to heart – read and pray with scripture every day;
- Take one step to become more environmentally conscious and start today;
- Pray every day – even when it is hard;
- Let go of a grudge or two;
- Get off Twitter and social media and communicate personally with others;
- Call your loved ones regularly, especially the sick and elderly and let them know they matter.
Next Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, our patron saint. Her annual feast day is January 4th. However, as a parish named in her honor we are able to transfer the feast to a Sunday in Ordinary Time. Next weekend, there will be a first-class relic of St. Elizabeth Ann in front of the altar for veneration. If you’d like to make a donation for the next weekend’s floral arrangements, contact Susan Iacaruso in the parish office.
Finally, remember in your prayers the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who went home to God on December 31st. The late Holy Father was a faithful son of the church who spent his life in service to her as a brilliant theologian and its supreme pastor for eight years. He will forever leave his mark on the church in humbling laying down the burdens of the papacy in his resignation.
Have a great week! Msgr. Woy
Sunday Worship Aid
Weekly Updates
- During the year 2022 we had over 100 people join our parish. As the we continue our efforts to be a more welcoming parish, we are happy to announce that there will be a special coffee & donut Sunday in honor of our new parishioners. Please join us in welcoming them after the 9:30 Mass on January 29th.
- Interested in becoming Catholic? January 11th at 7:00 pm Msgr. Woy, our pastor, will be meeting with interested persons to share a little about the process for the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (or OCIA, formerly known as RCIA) and to listen to your journey of Faith. RSVP to sarah.jarzembowski@seaseton.org
- Young Adult Planning Meeting: All young adults in their 20's and 30's, single or married, are invited to help us plan the next couple of months and vision for our future. We will meet on Monday, January 9th at 7:00 pm in the Ark. RSVP: sarah.jarzembowski@seaseton.org.
P.S.: With winter weather setting in, please be mindful of our inclement weather policy which is posted on the webpage under the “resources” tab. Note that Masses in fulfillment of the Sunday obligation are only cancelled upon the authority of the Archbishop.