Important Announcement—
Please monitor your heath! If you are not feeling well, have a temperature over 100 degrees, sore throat, have a persistent cough or generally not feeling well, please stay home. Please utilize the hand sanitizers when you enter the Church and/or the Parish Center. Our 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass will be live-streamed, as well as our Sunday, 9:30am Mass. While face masks remain optional, I encourage wearing one, especially for those who are not vaccinated or are immune-compromised. Please be safe and pray for all those suffering from COVID-19. Masks are always available in the Narthex.
Dear Seton Family,
As Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, both women, guided by faith, are able to recognize the work of God in their lives. Elizabeth recognizes the presence of the Savior in the womb of Mary, and Mary praises God for his goodness as he looks with favor on these poor women. For us, living the Christian faith is all about recognizing God’s presence, following his call, and praising him for his goodness to us. Elizabeth and Mary teach us by their example: they trusted in God’s Word, surrendered to his will to be done, and blessed God for his presence and action in their lives. As we get ready for Christmas and gaze upon the baby lying in the manger, may we also have the vision to recognize the Lord at work in our lives here and now, and respond with openness and trust.
As we prepare to welcome large numbers of people to Masses next weekend for Christmas, I challenge you to do two things this week:
- I ask that you personally invite someone to attend Christmas Mass with you who might not otherwise attend. You might be the reason they begin to attend Mass again;
- Be welcoming and friendly when you come to Mass on Christmas. Even if someone is sitting in “your” seat, greet them warmly and let them know you are happy they have come to our parish church to honor Jesus. Kindness in the name of Jesus wins people over – rudeness gives people a reason not to come back.
Prior to Covid-19, the largest crowds are at the 4:00pm and 6:00pm Masses on Christmas Eve. Due to difficulty getting extra clergy to help with the Christmas schedule, the 4pm Mass in the church will be live-streamed in the Parish Center. You will be able to view and participate during Mass and Holy Communion will be brought down to you. If you are not comfortable in a crowded situation, you may view it at home live or watch it later on our website. Consider attending the 9:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve or the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day. We will have an interpreter for the Deaf at the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.
Due to concerns with Covid-19 and large numbers of people, the Christmas Pageant has been moved to Sunday, January 2 at 5pm, prior to the 5:30pm Mass.
Our Year of the Eucharist Exhibition continues in the Parish Center though this Sunday, December 19th. While you are here, spend some time with the Blessed Sacrament in quiet Adoration and explore items used in liturgical celebrations of the Eucharist. Click here for more information, exhibit hours and read about the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis (A-coo-tis), a teenager who catalogued Eucharistic Miracles from around the world on the internet.
Again, here is the Mass schedule for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the Sunday after Christmas.
Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve):
4:00pm in the Church—live-streamed, with overflow seating in the Parish Center,
6:00pm
9:00pm
Saturday, December 25 (Christmas Day):
11:00am
(No Confessions and 4:30pm Mass)
Sunday, December 26 (Feast of the Holy Family):
8am
9:30am
11:00am
5:30pm
I look forward to our gathering with joy to celebrate the Birth of our Savior and Lord!
Fr. Paul