Discerning with our Seminarians
Dear Parishioners,
After serving twice as a pastor, I was called for four and a half years to a very different kind of priestly ministry: helping young men discern and prepare for the priesthood. As Vice Rector of St. John Paul II Seminary, I had the privilege of living, praying, and working alongside three other priests and some 45–55 seminarians at any given time.
Perhaps that is one reason it gives me such joy now to share Mother Seton Parish—a parish I have come to love—with men who are continuing their own discernment and preparation for priestly ministry. The love and care that this parish has shown its priests over the years is palpable, and that makes Mother Seton a wonderful place for future priests to learn what parish life is really about.
Welcome, Deacon Jonathan Hoole!
In early September, we will welcome Deacon Hoole from the Diocese of Syracuse, who will join us on most weekends from Friday evening through Sunday.
Deacon was ordained to the transitional diaconate in May 2026 and is completing his formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. After the fall semester, he will return to the Diocese of Syracuse for six months of full-time diaconal ministry in preparation for ordination to the priesthood.
He is also co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Military Services. After several years of parish ministry as a priest, he anticipates eventually serving as a Navy chaplain.
While he is with us, Deacon will assist at Mass and in other aspects of parish life, and you will have the opportunity to hear him preach. Some parishioners may even be invited to offer him feedback as he continues learning to preach the truth of our faith in a way that also speaks to people’s hearts about the love, mercy, and beauty of God.
Welcome, Ryan Miller!
Beginning September 1, we will also welcome Ryan Miller, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Washington, who will spend his pastoral year here at Mother Seton.
Unlike Deacon Jonathan’s weekend visits, Ryan will be part of our daily parish life. He will live with us in the rectory, pray with us, and serve alongside us throughout the coming year.
Ryan grew up in Southern Maryland and graduated from Frostburg State University, where he played college baseball. He later worked for three years as an engineer for the Navy before the Lord led him toward the seminary.
He has now completed three years of seminary formation and has entered the configuration stage—a period in which a seminarian’s life is increasingly shaped toward the heart and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Over the coming months, both Deacon Hoole and Ryan will experience many different dimensions of parish and priestly ministry. More importantly, they will come to know you: the families, children, young people, seniors, volunteers, cultural communities, those preparing for the sacraments, those carrying crosses, and those simply trying each day to grow in holiness.
That is an important part of priestly formation.
I am grateful that our Archdiocesan formation program and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary see Mother Seton as a parish where future priests can learn, discern, pray, and grow. That is an honor for our parish, but it is also a responsibility.
Please warmly welcome Deacon Hoole and Ryan. Pray for them. Invite them into the life of the parish. Let them see both the joys and the challenges of ordinary Catholic life.
The Church does not form priests only in seminaries. Priests are also formed among the people whom God calls them one day to serve.
I am very glad that, this year, Mother Seton gets to be part of that formation.
Rev. Kevin Regan
Help Us Improve Parish Communications
Our bulletin publisher is transitioning to a new publishing platform because the software we have used for many years is no longer being supported. As we make this necessary change, we’d like to take the opportunity to hear from you. Your feedback will help us improve the parish bulletin, website, email communications (Flocknote), and social media so that we can better serve our parish family. The survey takes about 3–5 minutes to complete.
Everyone who completes the survey may enter a drawing for a $100 Wegmans Gift Card. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
This Sunday, you can pick up a copy of our special edition August Bulletin. This will cover us until September so that we can prepare for our move to a new template with a new publisher. Thanks for your understanding.
Please Pray for the People of Columbia
Join us in praying for the people of Colombia following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake on August 10. Many people have been killed or injured, families have been displaced, and churches and communities have suffered significant damage.
Cardinal McElroy has already provided assistance through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which is working with Caritas Colombia to provide emergency humanitarian assistance and support recovery efforts.
If you would like to assist those affected, donations may be made directly through Catholic Relief Services at www.crs.org.
Registration for the 2026 – 27 Mother Seton Parish Youth Choir has begun! All boys and girls in grades 3 through 12 are invited to join this fantastic group of young singers. The choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings from September through May. All new and current members should complete the digital enrollment form no later than August 25th.
Questions? Contact our Director of Music, Amy Massey, by email at music@mothersetonparish.org or by phone at 301-924-3838 ext. 215
Después de servir dos veces como párroco, pasé cuatro años y medio como Vicerrector del Seminario San Juan Pablo II, acompañando a jóvenes que discernían y se preparaban para el sacerdocio. Por eso, es una alegría especial para mí recibir este otoño en Mother Seton a dos hombres en formación.
El Diácono Jonathan Hoole, de la Diócesis de Syracuse, estará con nosotros varios fines de semana entre septiembre y diciembre. Ordenado diácono en mayo, continúa su formación en el Seminario Mount St. Mary’s como preparación para el sacerdocio.
Ryan Miller, seminarista de la Arquidiócesis de Washington, comenzará con nosotros un año pastoral a tiempo completo el 1 de septiembre. Vivirá en la rectoría y participará en muchos aspectos del ministerio parroquial.
Aunque el Diácono Hoole y Ryan no hablan español, estarán presentes y compartirán tiempo con nuestra comunidad de habla hispana. Me alegra que Mother Seton pueda contribuir a la formación de futuros sacerdotes. ¡Por favor, denles una cálida bienvenida y oren por ellos!
Après avoir été curé à deux reprises, j’ai passé quatre ans et demi comme vice-recteur du Séminaire Saint Jean-Paul II, accompagnant de jeunes hommes dans leur discernement et leur préparation au sacerdoce. C’est donc une joie particulière pour moi d’accueillir cet automne deux hommes en formation à Mother Seton.
Le Diacre Jonathan Hoole, du diocèse de Syracuse, sera parmi nous plusieurs fins de semaine entre septembre et décembre. Ordonné diacre en mai, il poursuit sa formation au séminaire Mount St. Mary’s en préparation au sacerdoce.
Ryan Miller, séminariste de l’Archidiocèse de Washington, commencera chez nous une année pastorale à temps plein le 1er septembre. Il vivra au presbytère et participera à de nombreux aspects du ministère paroissial.
Même si le Diacre Hoole et Ryan ne parlent pas français, ils seront présents auprès de notre communauté francophone et prendront le temps de mieux la connaître. Je suis heureux que Mother Seton puisse contribuer à la formation de futurs prêtres. Accueillons-les chaleureusement et prions pour eux !
Sau hai nhiệm kỳ làm cha xứ, tôi đã phục vụ bốn năm rưỡi với tư cách Phó Giám đốc Chủng viện Thánh Gioan Phaolô II, đồng hành với các chủng sinh trong việc phân định và chuẩn bị cho chức linh mục. Vì thế, tôi đặc biệt vui mừng khi Mother Seton đón tiếp hai người đang trong thời gian đào tạo vào mùa thu này.
Thầy Phó tế Jonathan Hoole, thuộc Giáo phận Syracuse, sẽ đến với chúng ta vào một số cuối tuần từ tháng Chín đến tháng Mười Hai. Được truyền chức phó tế vào tháng Năm, thầy đang tiếp tục được đào tạo tại Chủng viện Mount St. Mary’s để chuẩn bị cho chức linh mục.
Chủng sinh Ryan Miller, thuộc Tổng Giáo phận Washington, sẽ bắt đầu năm mục vụ toàn thời gian với chúng ta vào ngày 1 tháng Chín. Anh sẽ sống tại nhà xứ và tham gia vào nhiều hoạt động mục vụ của giáo xứ.
Mặc dù Thầy Phó tế Hoole và Ryan không nói tiếng Việt, hai thầy vẫn sẽ hiện diện và dành thời gian với cộng đoàn Việt Nam của chúng ta. Tôi rất vui vì Mother Seton có thể góp phần đào tạo các linh mục tương lai. Xin anh chị em nhiệt tình chào đón và cầu nguyện cho hai thầy!