by JC Vega
The Fall Bazaar has quickly become a holiday fun and social tradition at St. Elizabeth Seton (SES) for the past 47 years. This year’s bazaar was sponsored by the Women’s Seton Society and held between weekend masses on November 23 and 24, taking place both inside the parish hall and outside on the courtyard.
The bazaar is a great opportunity to sample delicious baked goods and shop for adorable handcrafted religious and other miscellaneous items. Entering the courtyard on a beautiful 50-degree day, I saw a variety of vendors hoping to promote their businesses while raising money for SES. Some of the most notable items for sale were handmade journals, handcrafted bookmarks for avid readers, and delicious samples of chips and salsa. As I walked around, I saw a booth of adorable, vibrantly-colored hand-knit scarves from a shop owned by Anna, who is originally from Connecticut and has been in Arizona for five years.
Walking further, I came across a booth of beautiful card designs from a business called Dots of Distinction. Talking to the owners, I learned that they are two sisters from New Jersey, Janet and Victoria, who started the business together with an idea from Janet, and that they are regular attendees at each year’s bazaar. Victoria currently attends SES and her sister Janet will be joining the parish this year. As they are telling me this, I think of what a unique, fantastic way this is to spend quality, bonding time together, which is very rare these days. The general consensus is that most of the bazaar’s vendors are parishioners or their family friends, all enjoying helping out for a good cause, with some of them coming to this event for as long as 38 years.
As I walk inside the SES parish hall to explore more vendors’ offerings, the smell of warm, spiced apple reaches me. Each year’s bazaar consistently features tasty baked goods such as banana nut bread loaves, cookies, muffins, etc. There are also a wide variety of gifts inside the hall including knitted baby wear, jewelry, houseplants and greeting cards.
As I continue to walk further, I eventually encounter Margie O’Boyle, who is a member of Catholic Daughters of America in addition to serving the Women’s Seton Society since 2020. Margie is a dedicated parishioner who can be seen helping at every event with a smile on her face. She generously gives of her time even though she has a large family. When I ask her “How do your mange your time to be everywhere?”, she replies “I’m a workaholic, we are called by God to help”. She says this with such conviction that it’s both genuine and inspiring. Because she has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren whom she must also make time to help, I realize that everyone has their own personal challenges with time. Regarding the Fall Bazaar, Margie says that she likes how everyone “has their own little niche, and she wishes that “more people got involved.”
The SES Fall Bazaar is a cozy social event that is held annually, so be sure to visit it next fall because it has something for everyone. St. Elizabeth Seton is located at 9728 West Palmeras Drive, Sun City, Arizona.
I just started getting the SES newsletter in my inbox. I had no idea what a LIFT I’d get from reading it this afternoon! The Holy Spirit is a- movin’.. all around this place!
Something struck me regarding Dr Kathy’s definition given about what a 50th anniversary means from the old testament; fixing up the worship area and bringing the people back home! Whoever is putting those msgs on the marquee outside.. yay! Good job! Let’s get people who left..back in that door (of which Steve Raml speaks!). Our parish is growing and I for one am VERY excited to be part of what will happen in the 51st and 52nd and 53rd…etc. years here! I think it’s gonna blow out socks off!!!