By Dr. Kathleen H. Goeppinger,
St. Elizabeth Seton’s 50th Anniversary Committee Chair
Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton,
As I reflect on the journey we announced on Sunday, October 20, 2024, our Golden Jubilee in 2026 seemed to be in the distant future. We thought we had so much time to plan our monthly events, develop a plan to renovate our worship space, and prepare ourselves to “yobel” the Hebrew word for Jubilee.
But as many of us know, time does indeed fly. This is our Jubilee Year! We have been blessed with wonderful participation at our frequent events, from a Saturday afternoon “at the movies” to watch on the big screen the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, to the Teaching Mass, by Father Bill. We have celebrated in the hall, participated in parish missions, and prayed as a community.
Over 400 parishioners participated in the St. Elizabeth Seton renovation survey. You shared your thoughts, opinions and ideas. All of these have been taken to heart and the renovations being planned reflect what you have asked for. Not every idea could be actualized, like doubling the size of our worship space, but what most of you requested is going to happen.
In January we launched the St. Elizabeth Seton Jubilee Campaign. As we pray the Jubilee prayer we are reminded of the importance of our “spiritual home as a place of worship, growth and service.” We are raising our voices to the call “Lord, as we look to the future of our parish, guide us to follow Your will and be a source of hope and holiness.” Many generous parishioners have already contributed to the needed funds, but more contributions are needed for us to complete the project. Presentations have been made, plans have been shared, but if you have further questions, the information is available, just please ask.
Many of you have asked when the work will take place. We are planning to hold our last mass in the church on Sunday, April 26, 2026. This Confirmation Mass will conclude with a solemn procession of the Eucharist from our church to the hall, where we will be holding mass until November 7, 2026, when we plan to return to our renovated worship space.
This procession will highlight the journey we have been on since 2024. It will remind us of the many dedicated parishioners who have gone before us as we process to the future of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. You are invited to walk with us as we grow in love and fellowship during this very special Golden Jubilee.
In Christ,
Dr. Kathleen H. Goeppinger. “Dr. Kathy”
