Saint + Elizabeth + Ann + Seton + Parish

(April 24, 2022)  In his homily for Divine Mercy Sunday, Deacon David L. Hall reminds us: One day we all will face Him in all His power and glory. He will ask each of us: "Have you lived believing me, loving me, and following me?”  We should never forget that ... and pray for mercy.DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE

(April 17, 2022) Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Father Samuel Dubois, Parochial Vicar of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, invites us to rejoice in Christ's victory over death and His message that we no longer have anything to be afraid of. Renewing  our baptismal promises is our acceptance of the reality of the Kingdom of God that is to come.

(April 17, 2022) EASTER HOMILY FROM FATHER ANTHONY ESEKE, Priest in Residence at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. Father Eseke asks us to ponder three things this Easter: First, Jesus Christ is Lord. Second, "the Shalom," the gift of peace, the greeting that Jesus gives us after his Resurrection. And finally: we are now Alleluia people.

(April 16, 2022) In his homily on this Easter Vigil, Father Charles Persing emphasized that God did not raise only His Son, but also all of us so that we can be lifted up to a new life. Therefore, let's "give ourselves to God, surrender to His will, and let Him choose our path -- even though that chosen path is not what we wanted," Father Persing said, "and live a life of sacrifice, by continuing the mission of the Church."The cross of cruelty and the cross of blessings as well as the Stations of the Cross are our visible tokens whose messages we need to emulate, not only on Easter Sunday, but also throughout the year: let's live them!

(April 14, 2022) Has it ever occurred to you that the celebration of Seder on Holy Thursday was a God's invitation to us to the New Covenant? "Do this in memory of Me," Father Persing says, is God calling "each one of us to bring Christ to everyone we encounter." 

(April 15, 2022) Father Samuel Dubois, Parochial Vicar of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, reminds us that Jesus' love for us transcends any love which our rational minds could grasp. Sacrificing Himself, He did so that our lives would be eternal, with Him, and not lost in the darkness. "Out of love for us," Father Dubois says, "Jesus freely embraced His cross. It is His gift for us, so that we might be free, so that we might be loved, so that one day we might return home."

(April 10, 2022) In his homily this Palm Sunday, Father Charles Persing, pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, reminds us of the necessity of our spiritual preparation in this Lenten season. Drawing closer to Christ and asking for forgiveness of sins, at this special time, will allow us to experience the mystery of Jesus wholeheartedly.

Father Charles L Persing explains the use and significance of Holy Oils in Catholic Church.

(April 3, 2022) Have you ever felt the hand of Jesus on your shoulder? Have you ever sensed His presence in your life and wondered which choices to make? Father Charles Persing, pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, reminds us that we should center our lives around Jesus and let Him make us new. Making us new may require that, as we are pointing our fingers at faults, "we have to point them at ourselves,"  Father Persing said,  "confess our own faults and conquer our own sins." And only Jesus can help us do that.

(April 3, 2022) Father Samuel Dubois, Parochial Vicar of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, invites us today to be more open and introspect of our own  sins and mistakes. He also asks us to be to be more merciful and Christ-like to others.  Emphasizing the today's Gospel message from  John 8: 1-11, Father Dubois says that focusing on the mistakes of others, "no one has to look at their own." We, therefore, need to focus "on the things that matter."

Father Charles Persing concludes the series on Stations of the Cross and talks about the Resurrection. 

(March 27, 2022) Do we know how to react properly in any given situation? Do we listen to the voice of God or do we rely on our own ego? "Faith is not the belief that God will do whatever we want; it is the belief that God will do what is right," is the quote Father Charles Persing shared. He, then, reminded us that "God is constantly calling  out to us; will we be able to remember what God has done for us?"

(March 27, 2022) Father Anthony Eseke, Priest-in-Residence at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, drew a parallel between a conventional five-step "hero's journey" and our own Lenten journey.  Going though all the steps, Father Eseke emphasized that our heavenly Father always awaits us with His arms outstretched, asking us to "make a change."Our prayer, then, shall be that our Lord will bless us on our spiritual journey, Father Eseke said,  "and that  our good Lord will give us the grace, and the strength to say ito ourselves: This time, grant us Lord the grace to change." 

Father Charles L Persing shares his thoughts and prayers related to Christ's last moments on Earth.

(March 20, 2022) Deacon David L. Hall reminded us that our Christian lives have meanings that are not clearly obvious in our lifetimes. Life is neither punishments or a throw of dice, but has a much deeper meaning.  "Whenever bad things happen, we should remember that the world is not as it was meant to be––nor is it the way it shall one day be," Deacon Hall said.  Every one of us is given a chance to draw close to God and to be fruitful.DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT

(March 20, 2022) Deacon William Dwayer encourages us to pause and reflect upon this Lent so far … Are we bearing much fruit?

(March 13, 2022) How do we show forth the grandeur of God? How do we step up to our calling as Bearers of Light? Father Charles Persing, pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, reminded us that living the corporeal works of mercy is the route to be taken.  As we read today's Gospel message of Transfiguration, "God is there," Father Persing said, "and is transfiguring us to become more like Him." Therefore, " on this Second Sunday of Lent, let us be the light of Christ, let us shine forth and restore ourselves with God's grace and God's help, to what He meant us to be, " Father Persing concluded.

(February 20, 2022) When you hate your enemies, what do you see? When you love your enemies, which image comes to your mind? Father Anthony Eseke, Priest-in-Residence at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, reminded us of the concept of Imago Dei:  seeing the image of God in that person. "Love, forgive, and reconcile" are the three things we can be in control when in the conflict with others, Father Eseke said.  We are all God's anointed people through the waters of our baptism; love others the way our God loves you.

(March 11, 2022) Father Charles Persing, pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, reminds us of corporeal works of mercy and the Stations of the Cross: 5th, 6th, and 8th.

(March 13, 2022) Have you ever asked yourself what  the Covenant, listening, and prayer have in common? Father Samuel Dubois, parochial vicar of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, reminds us that our God is the faithful God who keeps His promises even when we are unfaithful.  This season of Lent is a perfect time to look back at our lives and make an attempt to get closer to  Him.  The starting point is listening carefully to His voice, and then joining-in in prayer. Be the joy of our Lord, who always wants to be with each one of us.