From Ascension to Pentecost: Strengthened for Mission
Dear Parishioners,
For almost forty days now, we have journeyed together with the Risen Lord as a community of faith — praying together, breaking bread together, and growing in intimacy with Christ and with one another.
Historically, the Feast of the Ascension is celebrated tomorrow, a Thursday, forty days after Easter Sunday. In our local Church and much of our country, however, the celebration has been transferred to this coming Sunday. Because of the importance of this feast, it remains not only an obligation, but also a beautiful opportunity: an opportunity to learn more about our destiny and the gift of our humanity lifted up to the Father in Christ.
As Jesus was lifted up on the Cross in suffering, now He is lifted up in glory at the right hand of the Father.
In the Gospel, as the apostles look on, they adore Him — though some still doubt. They worship, yet some still have questions. And as they wait for the promised Holy Spirit, we too wait for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost.
Jesus has gone before us, yet He has not left us orphans. He promises His Spirit. He who told us that we would do even greater things in His name remains with us always, until the end of the age — not only personally, but as a community in mission.
We are sent forth: to baptize, to make disciples, to witness to His mercy and salvation. The intimacy of these Easter days is meant to bear fruit in mission through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Many in our parish already live this mission so generously through stewardship — volunteering as catechists, serving in worship, supporting education, building community, and reaching out in charity and service.
If you are one of those volunteers, thank you!
To express our gratitude, I invite you to our Volunteer Appreciation Happy Hour on Friday, June 19, from 5:00–7:00 PM in the Parish Center. Please RSVP now!
It will be a joyful opportunity for us to gather, to give thanks, and to be strengthened together in the mission of making Christ known.
In the Risen Christ,
Father Kevin Regan,
May is a month dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother.
Please know that the life of grace is extended for this month in the following ways in our community:
Saturday, May 16 – Confirmation with Bishop Esposito at 10:30 am
Sunday, May 17 – Welcoming our Summer Seminarian, Sam Guevara
Sunday, May 17 – African Union Membership Drive
Sunday, May 24 – Little Bethlehem – Olive Wood Religious Items
Monday, May 25 – Memorial Mass at All Souls Cemetery
Wednesday, May 27 – End of Education and Faith Formation Survey
Sunday, May 31 – Faith Formation Witnesses at Masses
Saturday, June 6, Corpus Christi Procession – More information coming soon
As dozens of our young people have come close to Jesus and his Church through the Eucharist, please take a few minutes to look at our Education and Faith Formation Survey:
Our Education and Faith Formation Survey is an important opportunity to help shape the future of faith formation at Mother Seton Parish. As a parish, we are called not only to offer programs, but to help people of all ages grow as disciples and live their faith each day.
Your feedback will help us better understand the spiritual needs, interests, and gifts of our parish community so that we can strengthen opportunities for children, youth, and adults to grow in faith and participate more fully in the mission of the Church.
The survey will also help us identify ways parishioners can put their faith into action through ministry, service, and community life.
Please take a few moments to complete the survey. Your voice and participation are greatly appreciated. Each Adult will have a chance to win a $100 Gift Card from Wegmans if completed before May 27.
In early May, I shared with our community the invitation to “Take the Next Step.” Please see the letter that was sent if you didn’t receive it, and prayerfully discern how to respond to this invitation to stewardship.
Mother Seton Parish is sustained by the faith, generosity, and love of its parishioners. As St. Peter reminds us, the Church is made up of “living stones… being built into a spiritual house.” The Church is not simply a building, but a people united in Christ and called to share His mission.
That mission is lived out every day through the sacraments, the formation of children and families, outreach to those in need, and the many quiet acts of service and care within the parish community. What exists today has been made possible by generations of faithful parishioners whose sacrifices built and sustained this parish.
Stewardship is not simply about maintaining what already exists, but about strengthening the Church for the future. Each person and family is invited to prayerfully ask, “What is my next step?” Every gift, large or small, helps continue the work of Christ through His Church.
Mientras continuamos nuestro camino de Pascua con el Señor Resucitado, la Iglesia se prepara para celebrar la Fiesta de la Ascensión este domingo. Jesús, que fue levantado en la Cruz en el sufrimiento, ahora es elevado en gloria a la derecha del Padre. Antes de ascender, prometió no dejarnos huérfanos, sino enviar al Espíritu Santo para fortalecernos en la misión.
Muchos en nuestra parroquia viven esta misión generosamente a través del servicio y el voluntariado. ¡Gracias por todo lo que hacen!
Invitamos a todos nuestros voluntarios al Happy Hour de Agradecimiento a Voluntarios el viernes 19 de junio, de 5:00 a 7:00 PM en el Centro Parroquial. Esperamos celebrar y agradecerles juntos.
Alors que nous poursuivons notre chemin de Pâques avec le Seigneur ressuscité, l’Église se prépare à célébrer la fête de l’Ascension ce dimanche. Jésus, élevé sur la Croix dans la souffrance, est maintenant élevé dans la gloire à la droite du Père. Avant de monter au ciel, il a promis de ne pas nous laisser orphelins, mais d’envoyer l’Esprit Saint pour nous fortifier dans la mission.
De nombreux paroissiens vivent déjà cette mission avec générosité par leur service et leur bénévolat. Merci pour tout ce que vous faites !
Nous invitons tous nos bénévoles à notre Happy Hour d’Appréciation des Bénévoles le vendredi 19 juin, de 17h à 19h, au centre paroissial. Nous avons hâte de vous remercier et de célébrer ensemble.
Khi tiếp tục hành trình Mùa Phục Sinh với Chúa Kitô Phục Sinh, Giáo Hội chuẩn bị cử hành Lễ Chúa Thăng Thiên vào Chúa Nhật này. Chúa Giêsu, Đấng đã chịu treo trên Thánh Giá trong đau khổ, nay được tôn vinh bên hữu Chúa Cha. Trước khi lên trời, Ngài hứa sẽ không để chúng ta mồ côi nhưng sẽ ban Chúa Thánh Thần để củng cố chúng ta trong sứ mạng.
Nhiều người trong giáo xứ đang sống sứ mạng ấy qua tinh thần phục vụ và thiện nguyện. Xin chân thành cảm ơn tất cả anh chị em!
Kính mời các thiện nguyện viên tham dự buổi Volunteer Appreciation Happy Hour vào thứ Sáu, ngày 19 tháng 6, từ 5:00–7:00 tối tại Parish Center. Chúng tôi mong được cùng nhau gặp gỡ, cảm ơn và chung vui với quý vị.