Relationship, Identity, Mission
Dear Mother Seton Parishioners,
More than thirty years ago, Toy Story was released, marking a turning point in animated storytelling. Each year, as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, I find myself thinking of its two central characters: Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Their story offers a surprisingly rich reflection on relationship, identity, and mission or R.I.M.—themes at the heart of our faith.
At the beginning of the film, Woody is confident and secure. He is Andy’s favorite toy, a natural leader among the others, and he clearly understands his purpose: to love and care for Andy. His sense of mission flows from his relationship, which is good. Everything changes when Buzz Lightyear arrives. Suddenly, Woody feels threatened. Though his relationship and mission remain, he forgets who he truly is. This loss of identity leads him to act out in jealousy and fear.
Buzz, meanwhile, struggles in a different way. He believes firmly in his identity—but it is a false one and has no relationship to Andy. Buzz thinks he is a space ranger on a heroic mission. He has confidence and drive, but no real relationship, because he does not yet know the truth about himself: he is a toy, made to belong to a child.
The turning point for Woody comes when he looks at the bottom of his boot and sees Andy’s name written there. That mark reminds him of who he belongs to and restores his sense of both relationship and identity. In baptism, something similar happens to us. We are marked not with the name of Andy, nor with the name of Adam, but with the name of Christ. We are claimed by the Father as beloved sons and daughters.
Buzz’s awakening is more painful, as he must let go of a false identity. Yet this truth sets him free. Once he understands that whose he is forms who he is, he can enter into relationship, real identity and discover his true mission. R.I.M. always in that order!
- Relationship, whose we are, comes first
- Identity, who we are, flows from relationship
- Mission, what we do and how we live with, follows from identity
The climax of the movie is not about success or heroics, but friendship. Woody and Buzz remember their bond and their shared desire to be close to Andy. Using their unique gifts together, they make it home. We are not defined by what we do, but by whose we are. Marked by Christ in baptism, we belong to the Father—and everything else flows from that truth.
Father Kevin Regan,
Various January Events and Activities
Special Mass with Cardinal Christophe Pierre
For the past five years, a community of French-speaking Catholics has gathered at Mother’s Seat Catholic Church. This weekend, we have the great honor of welcoming Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio (Pope’s representative) to the United States, who is himself a French-speaking Catholic.
Cardinal Pierre, appointed a Cardinal a few years ago, participated in the conclave that elected our Holy Father, Pope Francis. A multilingual prelate originally from France, he comes to visit our community and celebrate Mass on Saturday, January 18th, at 12:30 PM.
This 12:30 PM Mass will be bilingual (French and English), with music offered by the French choir. All are warmly welcome to join us in this special celebration.
Depuis cinq ans, une communauté de catholiques francophones se réunit à l’église Mother’s Seat. Ce week-end, elle a l’honneur d’accueillir le cardinal Christophe Pierre, nonce apostolique du Pape aux États-Unis et lui-même francophone. Originaire de France et polyglotte, le cardinal a été créé cardinal il y a quelques années et a participé au conclave ayant élu le Saint-Père. Il viendra célébrer une messe spéciale le samedi 18 janvier à 12h30. Cette messe sera bilingue, en français et en anglais, avec la participation de la chorale française. Tous sont chaleureusement invités à prendre part à cette célébration.
Church HVAC Replacement – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Thank you for your stewardship and patience as we continue to care for our church facilities. We are pleased to announce that the sanctuary HVAC system will be replaced beginning Monday, January 19 weather permitting. The work will take three to five days, and there will be little to no heat in the sanctuary during that time, so please dress warmly for daily Mass and other prayer activities. The lower parking lot by the parish offices will be closed that week, so please park in front of the church if you need to visit the office. Thank you again for your support.
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
On January 23, the Church in the United States observes a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. This day marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and calls us, as Catholics, to respond with prayer, penance, and public witness for the dignity of every human life.
At Mother Seton Parish, you are invited to participate in one of two ways:
Join the National March for Life in Washington, DC
We will be sending parishioners to witness publicly for the unborn. To participate, please contact respectlife@mothersetonparish.org or speak directly with Bob Wiese or Susana Eusse no later than Tuesday, January 20.
Remain in Prayer at the Church
For those who cannot travel, we invite you to unite spiritually with the March by spending time in Eucharistic Adoration at Mother Seton Church.
You may sign up for a 30-minute Adoration time between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
In addition, we will gather as a parish for:
Rosary – 2:30 PM
Divine Mercy Chaplet – 3:00 PM
Benediction – 3:30 PM
Whether you go to Washington or remain here in prayer, your participation is a powerful witness for the Gospel of Life. Let us stand together as one parish, united in prayer and hope.
La Fiesta del Bautismo del Señor nos invita a reflexionar sobre la relación, la identidad y la misión. UnaLauzz descubre que aceptar la verdad le permite pertenecer. Su amistad los salva.
En el bautismo, somos marcados con el nombre de Cristo y reclamados por el Padre. La relación viene primero; de ella nace nuestra identidad, y de nuestra identidad surge la misión. No somos definidos por lo que hacemos, sino por Aquel a quien pertenecemos.
La fête du Baptême du Seigneur nous invite à réfléchir à la relation, à l’identité et à la mission. Le film Toy Story offre une image éclairante. Au début, Woody sait qui il est parce qu’il sait à qui il appartient : il est le jouet d’Andy. Sa relation fonde son identité et sa mission. Lorsque Buzz l’Éclair arrive, l’identité de Woody est ébranlée, même si sa mission demeure. Buzz, quant à lui, est convaincu d’être un ranger de l’espace. Il a une mission, mais il ignore la vérité sur lui-même et n’a pas encore de relation authentique.
Chacun doit apprendre la vérité. Woody se souvient de son identité en voyant le nom d’Andy inscrit sous sa botte. Buzz découvre que reconnaître la vérité lui permet d’entrer en relation et d’appartenir. Leur amitié les sauve.
Au baptême, nous sommes marqués du nom du Christ et adoptés par le Père. La relation vient en premier, l’identité en découle, et la mission en est le fruit. Nous ne sommes pas définis par ce que nous faisons, mais par Celui à qui nous appartenons.
Lễ Chúa Giêsu chịu Phép Rửa mời gọi chúng ta suy niệm về mối tương quan, căn tính và sứ mạng. Bộ phim Toy Storygiúp minh họa điều này cách sinh động. Lúc đầu, Woody biết mình là ai vì biết mình thuộc về ai—cậu là đồ chơi của Andy. Mối tương quan đó mang lại cho Woody căn tính và mục đích sống. Khi Buzz Lightyear xuất hiện, căn tính của Woody bị lung lay, dù sứ mạng của cậu không thay đổi. Buzz thì ngược lại: cậu rất tự tin nhưng lại hiểu sai về chính mình, tin rằng mình là một chiến binh không gian. Cậu có sứ mạng nhưng chưa có mối tương quan thật sự.
Cả hai đều cần khám phá sự thật. Woody nhớ lại mình là ai khi nhìn thấy tên Andy dưới đế giày. Buzz nhận ra rằng chấp nhận sự thật giúp cậu được thuộc về. Tình bạn của họ cứu họ.
Qua Bí tích Rửa Tội, chúng ta được ghi dấu bằng danh Chúa Kitô và được Chúa Cha đón nhận. Mối tương quan đến trước, căn tính phát sinh từ đó, và sứ mạng là kết quả. Chúng ta không được định nghĩa bởi việc mình làm, nhưng bởi Đấng mà chúng ta thuộc về.