Dear Seton Family,
The Gospel of John, which we hear proclaimed at Mass at various times throughout the year, presents a well-thought understanding of Jesus’ identity and mission that reflects a depth of reflection among the believers of the time. Today’s gospel is a great case in point, as we hear the famous passage that includes John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” It is no wonder that this single verse is often referenced as summing up the whole mission of Jesus, inviting each of us to place our trust in him and accept what he has to offer: eternal life. That’s an offer we can’t refuse because no one else can offer it!
STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND BENEDICTION
FRIDAYS OF LENT, 7:30PM
Stations and Benediction will be in-person and you do not need to sign up. Enter at the Main Entrance and the Usher will help you find a seat. Station booklets will NOT be handed out. Please download the Worship Aid here to participate on your electronic device or print the Stations and bring it with you each week! Unfortunately, Stations will NOT be live-streamed.
FR. VINCE CUSHING UPDATE:
Fr. Vince, our weekend Mass Presider for over 30 years, will be moving to an assisted living facility on Monday, March 15. He currently gets around with a walker but needs to have more assistance than the friary can give him. When it is safe to gather in a crowd, I would like to have a parish celebration to honor his many years of service at Seton. Here is his new address:
Hillhaven Nursing Center
3210 Prowder Mill Rd.
Adelphi, MD 20783
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER 2021
The schedule of Masses for Palm Sunday, the Holy Triduum, and Easter is posted on the website here. Please note that you would need to sign up to attend by way of Eventbrite. GOOD NEWS! We are looking at the possibility of offering an outdoor Easter Sunday Mass at 11:30am (weather permitting). Stay tuned for more information!
ANNUAL APPEAL FOR CATHOLIC MINISTRIES UPDATE:
We continue to inch our way towards our goal for the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries. We are currently at 77% of our goal of $98,000 with 11% of parish families participating. If you haven’t yet made your gift, please take this opportunity to support the charitable needs throughout the Archdiocese and here at Seton Parish. Consider giving online to www.archbalt.org/appeal/give/. When making a pledge or gift online, you will need to designate “St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – Crofton” as your parish. We will receive a rebate of 25% up to the parish goal and 50% for every dollar over our goal. Thank you for your support!
RECONCILIATION DURING LENT:
Due to the pandemic, we will not be offering a communal penance service during the season of Lent. In addition to regular date for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday afternoons from 3-4pm, I will also be available on Monday & Wednesday of this week, March 15th and 17th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Come to the Parish Center entrance (left side of the campus and look for orange cones) and a volunteer will greet you at the door and provide instructions. If it has been a while since your last Confession, I’ll guide you through it!
ELEMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC MASS VIDEO SERIES:
We are beginning week eight of our video series, Elements of the Catholic Mass. I would invite you to watch Episode 9 this week titled Active Participation, and reflect on how this might help you in your faith. Here is the link to the episodes page.
Here is this Sunday’s Worship Aid
A reminder....
This weekend is daylight savings time. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night!
I encourage you to sign up for weekend Masses through the parish website or FaceBook page. The link is available after the 9:30 Mass each Sunday UNTIL Wednesday evenings at 10:00pm.
Don’t forget to wear your mask, use hand sanitizers in the Narthex and keep your social distance as you approach the Main Entrance of the Church!
As usual, we will continue to live-stream Mass (Mon—Thurs at 9:00am and Sunday at 9:30am) on the parish Facebook (link) and uploaded on YouTube (link), and our parish website, https://www.seaseton.org/Resources/Media. If you do not have Facebook but wish to watch our livestream, click here for instructions.
May the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand—
Happy St. Patrick’s Day this week!
Fr. Paul