Foundations for the Future
Fundamentos para el futuro
Dear Parishioners,
I am truly grateful for the willingness of many parishioners to meet with me openly, receptive to the Holy Spirit working among us. Since early September, I have had five encouraging conversations with parishioners. Although I couldn’t invite everyone, it was clear why each person was chosen. These meetings were marked by prayerfulness, mutual respect, honesty, and genuine excitement about sharing the joys and struggles of parish life and Mother Seton Parish’s shared history.
Initially, these meetings included parish leaders in general, participants in liturgical ministries, and educators and those educated in Faith Formation. We tried to ensure representation from our Spanish, French, and Vietnamese communities, but these sessions were conducted in English. People genuinely love our parish and were pleased with the ministries they were involved in. Still, they offered suggestions for improving their ministries and the connection between ministries.
Several practical requests arose from these conversations: more opportunities for prayer and sacraments, the return of First Friday Mass, and the renewal of various devotions that have historically nurtured our parish’s faith. There were also clear reminders to stay committed to evangelization in our community by paying attention to the marginalized, revitalizing efforts to educate our families and children, reaching out to young adults, and being open to the cultural diversity among our faithful. Many expressed gratitude for the unity within our diversity and hope that issues related to space in our buildings and parking lot can be addressed. Even small but meaningful suggestions—such as installing a changing table in the upstairs bathrooms near the sacristy and exploring ways to be more welcoming to families with small children—demonstrated a desire to better serve our community.
The outcome of these conversations will greatly assist me in guiding the parish as it lays the groundwork for the next chapter of our community life. My recent homily on stewardship was an early attempt to define a parish culture rooted not in the question, “What do I get?” but rather, “What can I give?” Each member has something vital to offer for the growth of the parish and the pursuit of holiness. As we approach the Advent Season, preparing for Christmas, the Season of Giving, let us be grateful for what we have received and seek God’s guidance on how each of us might be able to give going forward.
Yours in Christ,
Father Kevin Regan
Advent Begins on Sunday, November 30 – and our Liturgical New Year
Here are some events to help you get ready for the arrival of our Savior
Saturday, November 22 at 12:00 pm
Presentation on Desert Mothers and Fathers Parishioner Sponsored
Saturday, November 29 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Advent Prayer and Reflection Service for Men
Knights of Columbus Sponsored
Sunday, November 30 from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
Knights of Columbus Sponsored
Monday, December 1 at 6:00 pm
Live Nativity – Faith Formation Children
Friday, December 5 at 7:00 pm
Food Gift Card Collection – Ongoing until December 14
Supporting Our Lady’s Sodality, Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Germantown HELPS
Depuis septembre, le cure a rencontré divers paroissiens afin d’écouter leurs expériences et leurs préoccupations concernant la vie paroissiale. Les rencontres, marquées par la prière, le respect et l’honnêteté, ont réuni des responsables, des ministres liturgiques et des personnes impliquées dans la formation de la foi. Bien que les sessions aient eu lieu en anglais, un effort a été fait pour inclure les communautés hispanophone, francophone et vietnamienne. Les participants ont exprimé leur amour pour la paroisse tout en suggérant des améliorations, notamment un lien plus fort entre les ministères. Plusieurs besoins pratiques ont émergé : davantage d’occasions de prière, le retour de la messe du premier vendredi et la revitalisation de dévotions anciennes. Ils ont aussi insisté sur la mission évangélisatrice, l’attention aux marginalisés, l’éducation des familles, l’accompagnement des jeunes adultes et l’ouverture à la diversité culturelle. Enfin, des préoccupations concernant les espaces disponibles et le stationnement ont été soulevées. Ces échanges aideront à orienter le futur de la communauté.
Từ tháng Chín, cha xứ đã gặp gỡ nhiều giáo dân để lắng nghe những niềm vui, khó khăn và cảm nhận của họ về đời sống giáo xứ. Các buổi gặp gỡ diễn ra trong tinh thần cầu nguyện, tôn trọng và chân thành, với sự tham gia của các lãnh đạo giáo xứ, người phục vụ phụng vụ và những người dạy hoặc học giáo lý. Dù các buổi trao đổi diễn ra bằng tiếng Anh, cha đã cố gắng mời đại diện cộng đồng người nói tiếng Tây Ban Nha, Pháp và Việt. Nhiều người bày tỏ tình yêu dành cho giáo xứ và đưa ra đề nghị cải thiện sự liên kết giữa các mục vụ. Các nhu cầu thực tế được nêu gồm thêm cơ hội cầu nguyện, khôi phục Thánh lễ Thứ Sáu Đầu Tháng và làm sống lại các việc đạo đức truyền thống. Giáo dân cũng nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của việc loan báo Tin Mừng, hỗ trợ người bên lề, chăm lo giáo dục đức tin cho gia đình và tiếp cận giới trẻ. Những ý kiến này sẽ định hướng tương lai giáo xứ.
Queridos Feligreses:
Estoy verdaderamente agradecido por la disposición de muchos feligreses para reunirse conmigo de manera abierta, receptivos a la obra del Espíritu Santo entre nosotros. Desde principios de septiembre, he tenido cinco conversaciones alentadoras con feligreses. Aunque no pude invitar a todos, fue claro por qué cada persona fue elegida. Estas reuniones estuvieron marcadas por oración, respeto mutuo, honestidad y un auténtico entusiasmo por compartir las alegrías y dificultades de la vida parroquial y la historia compartida de la Parroquia Mother Seton.
Inicialmente, estas reuniones incluyeron líderes parroquiales en general, participantes en los ministerios litúrgicos y educadores y estudiantes de la Formación en la Fe. Tratamos de asegurar representación de nuestras comunidades hispana, francesa y vietnamita, pero las sesiones se realizaron en inglés. La gente realmente ama nuestra parroquia y estaba complacida con los ministerios en los que participan. Aun así, ofrecieron sugerencias para mejorar sus ministerios y la conexión entre ellos.
De estas conversaciones surgieron varias peticiones prácticas: más oportunidades para la oración y los sacramentos, el regreso de la Misa del Primer Viernes y la renovación de diversas devociones que históricamente han alimentado la fe de nuestra parroquia. También hubo recordatorios claros de mantener nuestro compromiso con la evangelización en nuestra comunidad, prestando atención a los marginados, revitalizando los esfuerzos para educar a nuestras familias y niños, acercándonos a los jóvenes adultos y abriéndonos a la diversidad cultural entre nuestros fieles. Muchos expresaron gratitud por la unidad dentro de nuestra diversidad y esperanza de que se puedan abordar cuestiones relacionadas con el espacio en los edificios y el estacionamiento. Incluso pequeñas pero significativas sugerencias —como instalar un cambiador en los baños del piso superior cerca de la sacristía y explorar formas de ser más acogedores para las familias con niños pequeños— demostraron un deseo de servir mejor a nuestra comunidad.
El resultado de estas conversaciones me ayudará enormemente a guiar a la parroquia mientras establecemos las bases para el próximo capítulo de nuestra vida comunitaria. Mi reciente homilía sobre la corresponsabilidad fue un primer intento de definir una cultura parroquial basada no en la pregunta: “¿Qué recibo?”, sino “¿Qué puedo dar?”. Cada miembro tiene algo vital que ofrecer para el crecimiento de la parroquia y la búsqueda de la santidad. Al acercarnos a la Temporada de Adviento y prepararnos para la Navidad, la Temporada de Dar, seamos agradecidos por lo que hemos recibido y pidamos la guía de Dios para saber cómo cada uno de nosotros puede dar en adelante.
Suyo en Cristo,
P. Kevin Regan