Where Our Hope Begin
Dear Parishioners,
As we celebrated our nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we gave thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our country. At our parish, we experience one of those blessings every Sunday as people of many cultures and languages gather as one family in Christ. We continue to pray for our nation, its leaders, and all who seek peace and the common good.
The Gospel this past Sunday reminds us that people in Jesus’ own day also longed for a better future. God had promised a Messiah, but there were many different ideas about how His kingdom would come. Some looked to religious reform, others to political compromise, still others to separation or even revolution. Jesus surprised them all.
Rather than choosing one side or another, He called disciples from every part of society and formed them into a new community centered not on an agenda, but on Himself. Before sending them to change the world, He first invited them to become His disciples. His invitation is as timely today as it was then: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
As citizens, we should work for justice, peace, and the dignity of every person. But Jesus reminds us that lasting renewal begins in the human heart. A healthy society depends not only on good laws, but on people formed in honesty, humility, mercy, forgiveness, and love—virtues learned from Christ.
As summer continues, may we accept His invitation to draw closer to Him. The more we learn from Christ, the better prepared we are to serve our families, our parish, and our nation with wisdom, charity, and hope.
I would like to express my gratitude to our Pastor’s Advisory Council, for the guidance, wisdom, and thoughtful conversations they have shared throughout this year. Together, they bring decades of experience, diverse backgrounds, and a deep love for Mother Seton Parish. Their support, insight, and honest counsel have been a tremendous blessing as we discern the life and mission of our parish.
In a particular way, I would like to thank those completing their terms on the Parish Council.
Faustina has faithfully served as our recording secretary while also assisting with our daily and Sunday liturgical ministries and coordinating our Lord’s Table outreach. Please keep her in your prayers as she mourns the recent loss of her mother.
Bridget, a longtime parishioner and active member of Africa Union 55, has offered thoughtful observations, wise counsel, and a quiet but important voice throughout the year.
Jordan, from our Spanish-speaking community and a leader in Word and Life, is stepping away from the council to devote more time to that ministry. His gifts as a musician and his service at our First Friday devotions have been a blessing to our parish.
As we thank them for their generous service, I am also pleased to welcome our newest council members, who begin their service. Their photos will soon be available in the narthex and on our parish website.
Please join me in welcoming Jacqueline Brassier, Reys Rodriguez, and Tim and Lisa Short.
Reys Rodriguez is active in our Spanish-speaking community, our liturgical ministries, and Word and Life. He brings a joyful spirit and a love for passing on the faith, especially to his family and community.
Tim and Lisa Short have been parishioners since 2010. They serve as catechists, as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and together they have walked with the Neocatechumenal Way for many years. Both are longtime teachers in Montgomery County Public Schools and bring a deep commitment to faith, family, and service.
Jacqueline Brassier, originally from Togo, has been a parishioner for eighteen years. She serves with Africa Union 55 and the Legion of Mary and, through both her professional leadership in nursing and her involvement in parish life, will be a wonderful bridge between our English- and French-speaking communities.
Please join me in thanking those completing their service and in welcoming our new members. I am grateful to all who have served on the Parish Council over the years. Their generosity, wisdom, and love for Mother Seton Parish continue to help shape the path we walk together.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Kevin Regan
Please Pray for the People of Venezuela
Many of you have seen the heartbreaking news that devastating earthquakes have struck Venezuela, leaving many people dead, injured, or still missing. We join the Church throughout the world in praying for all who have been affected by this tragedy.
We pray especially for those who have lost loved ones, for those who are injured or displaced, and for the first responders and relief workers who continue to risk their own safety to care for others. May the Lord grant them strength, hope, and peace.
Our parish is blessed to include many families with ties to Venezuela and throughout Latin America. During moments like these, we stand with them in prayer and solidarity.
Cardinal McElroy has already provided emergency assistance through Catholic Relief Services to support humanitarian relief and recovery efforts. He also encourages the faithful of the Archdiocese of Washington to prayerfully consider offering additional support.
If you would like to assist those affected, donations may be made directly through Catholic Relief Services at www.crs.org.
Let us continue to entrust the people of Venezuela to the loving care of Our Lady of Coromoto, Patroness of Venezuela, asking her to intercede for all those who suffer.
Al celebrar el 250.º aniversario de la Declaración de Independencia de nuestra nación, dimos gracias a Dios por las numerosas bendiciones que ha concedido a nuestro país. Aquí, en la Parroquia Mother Seton, vivimos una de esas bendiciones cada domingo, cuando personas de muchas culturas e idiomas se reúnen como una sola familia en Cristo. Jesús nos recuerda que, mientras trabajamos por la justicia, la paz y el bien común, la renovación verdadera comienza en corazones transformados por Él. Que durante este verano aceptemos su invitación a acercarnos más a Cristo, para servir mejor a nuestras familias, a nuestra parroquia y a nuestra nación con sabiduría, caridad y esperanza.
También deseo expresar mi sincero agradecimiento al Consejo Asesor del Párroco por su sabiduría, sus valiosas conversaciones y su generoso apoyo durante este último año. De manera especial, agradezco a Faustina, Bridget y Jordan, quienes concluyen su servicio en el consejo. Su liderazgo fiel, su diversidad de experiencias y su amor por Mother Seton Parish han sido una verdadera bendición. Les pido que los tengan presentes en sus oraciones.
También les invito a dar la bienvenida a nuestros nuevos miembros: Reys Rodríguez, quien aporta un espíritu alegre de liderazgo desde nuestra comunidad hispana; Tim y Lisa Short, cuyo servicio como catequistas y en diversos ministerios refleja un profundo compromiso con la fe y la familia; y Jacqueline Brassier, cuyo liderazgo y servicio fortalecerán los lazos entre nuestras comunidades de habla inglesa, francesa y africana.
En célébrant le 250e anniversaire de la Déclaration d’indépendance de notre nation, nous avons rendu grâce à Dieu pour les nombreuses bénédictions qu’il a accordées à notre pays. Ici, à la paroisse Mother Seton, nous vivons l’une de ces bénédictions chaque dimanche lorsque des personnes de nombreuses cultures et langues se rassemblent comme une seule famille dans le Christ. Jésus nous rappelle que, tout en travaillant pour la justice, la paix et le bien commun, le véritable renouveau commence dans des cœurs façonnés par Lui. Au cours de cet été, accueillons son invitation à nous rapprocher du Christ afin de servir nos familles, notre paroisse et notre nation avec sagesse, charité et espérance.
Je tiens également à exprimer ma profonde gratitude au Conseil consultatif du curé pour sa sagesse, la qualité de ses échanges et son soutien généreux tout au long de cette année. Je remercie tout particulièrement Faustina, Bridget et Jordan, qui terminent leur mandat au sein du conseil. Leur fidélité, la richesse de leur expérience et leur amour pour la paroisse Mother Seton ont été une véritable bénédiction. Je vous invite à les porter dans vos prières.
Accueillons également nos nouveaux membres : Reys Rodriguez, qui apporte un esprit de joie et de leadership au sein de notre communauté hispanophone; Tim et Lisa Short, dont les nombreuses années de service en catéchèse et dans la vie paroissiale témoignent d’un profond engagement envers la foi et la famille; et Jacqueline Brassier, dont le leadership et le service contribueront à renforcer les liens entre nos communautés anglophone, francophone et africaine.
Khi cùng nhau mừng kỷ niệm 250 năm Tuyên ngôn Độc lập của Hoa Kỳ, chúng ta tạ ơn Thiên Chúa vì muôn vàn hồng ân Người đã ban cho đất nước chúng ta. Tại Giáo xứ Mother Seton, chúng ta cảm nghiệm một trong những hồng ân ấy mỗi Chúa Nhật, khi mọi người thuộc nhiều nền văn hóa và ngôn ngữ khác nhau quy tụ thành một gia đình trong Đức Kitô. Chúa Giêsu nhắc nhở chúng ta rằng, dù luôn nỗ lực xây dựng công lý, hòa bình và ích chung, sự đổi mới đích thực phải bắt đầu từ những tâm hồn được Người biến đổi. Xin cho mùa hè này là dịp để chúng ta đến gần Chúa Kitô hơn, hầu phục vụ gia đình, giáo xứ và đất nước với sự khôn ngoan, bác ái và niềm hy vọng.
Tôi cũng xin chân thành cảm ơn Hội đồng Cố vấn Mục vụ của Cha xứ vì sự khôn ngoan, những ý kiến chân thành và sự nâng đỡ quảng đại trong suốt năm qua. Đặc biệt, tôi xin cảm ơn Faustina, Bridget và Jordan khi các anh chị hoàn thành sứ vụ trong hội đồng. Sự phục vụ tận tâm, kinh nghiệm phong phú và tình yêu dành cho Giáo xứ Mother Seton của các anh chị là một hồng ân lớn lao. Xin cộng đoàn tiếp tục cầu nguyện cho các anh chị.
Xin cộng đoàn vui mừng chào đón các thành viên mới: Reys Rodriguez, người mang đến tinh thần phục vụ đầy nhiệt huyết từ cộng đoàn nói tiếng Tây Ban Nha; Tim và Lisa Short, những người đã nhiều năm tận tụy phục vụ trong việc dạy giáo lý và các hoạt động của giáo xứ; và Jacqueline Brassier, người sẽ góp phần củng cố sự hiệp nhất giữa các cộng đồng nói tiếng Anh, tiếng Pháp và cộng đồng Phi Châu trong giáo xứ.