October 26, 2025 | 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Praying With Honesty
Father Williams Abba
In our Gospel last Sunday, Jesus told us to pray persistently and never give up. Today, He tells us to pray with a humble and repentant heart that relies on the mercy of God.
Jesus addresses people who pride themselves on their virtue while despising everyone else. They honor themselves by humiliating others. His listeners are in for a shock when he tells them the parable of two men who go to the temple to pray. One was a good man, the other a real crook. One led decent religious life, the order was mixed up in corruption – tax collectors worked for the Roman occupying power and made sure they collected high taxes so that they could get a good cut. The good and the bad go to pray, but only one of them actually prays.
The Pharisee addresses his prayer “to himself”. There is no doubt who is in the lead role and his prayer sounds like the annual report of current assets. He blesses God that he is not like so many others, although he seems unsure about who exactly he is. He compares himself to the tax collector whom he treats as a doormat to walk over. He fasts twice a week and gives ten percent of his earnings to the poor. That is certainly good. If every Christian did that, the complexity of the world would change! But for all of his giving, the Pharisee never gives himself. His real self is secret.
Jesus addresses people who pride themselves on their virtue while despising everyone else. They honor themselves by humiliating others. His listeners are in for a shock when he tells them the parable of two men who go to the temple to pray. One was a good man, the other a real crook. One led decent religious life, the order was mixed up in corruption – tax collectors worked for the Roman occupying power and made sure they collected high taxes so that they could get a good cut. The good and the bad go to pray, but only one of them actually prays.
The Pharisee addresses his prayer “to himself”. There is no doubt who is in the lead role and his prayer sounds like the annual report of current assets. He blesses God that he is not like so many others, although he seems unsure about who exactly he is. He compares himself to the tax collector whom he treats as a doormat to walk over. He fasts twice a week and gives ten percent of his earnings to the poor. That is certainly good. If every Christian did that, the complexity of the world would change! But for all of his giving, the Pharisee never gives himself. His real self is secret.
Rosary Sunday
Seton Classic Trifecta
Mass and Reception with
Bishop Julius Kundi
SESSIONS BEGAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
6:20PM IN THE CHURCH
The Mission of the Family Formation Study
We are excited to share with you a video study put on by the Knights of Columbus for Couples entering and already married. St. John Paul II said, “The future of the world and the Church passes through the family.”
Husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, you are called to have great hearts here, counter-cultural and brave. You can build something better, freer, more generous and nobler, beginning in your own home.
Come and encounter ways that we are called to have a family rooted in God with his protection and strength to guide us through anything.
Contact Deacon Jeff in the office to register or email him at jarner@sescc.org.
Grieving with Great HOPE is a SIX-WEEK grief support workshop using a video on-demand format. It offers a prayerful, practical and personal approach for anyone who is mourning the loss of a loved one. If you have lost a spouse, a child (including pregnancy loss), a grandchild, a parent, another family member or a friend, you are encouraged to attend.
Presenters will include, two priests, as well as John and Sandy O’Shaughnessy from Good Mourning Ministry, a Catholic bereavement organization. Contact Dcn. Jeff Arner for registration information.
We will begin on Thursdays for this 6-week course on October 16th from 2 to 4 pm in the Guadalupe meeting room.
If you been curious about the Roman Catholic Church and how it might fit for you in your faith journey, and/or perhaps, you have been Baptized but haven’t received the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Holy Eucharist and would like to complete your Sacraments of Initiation. Please contact Dcn. Jeff Arner for an appointment at 623-866-5221 or jarner@sescc.org.
St. Elizabeth Seton will offer The Bible Timeline beginning Tuesday, November 11 from 9 to 11 am. Participants will meet every week in Seton Hall to view an engaging video presentation, followed by a time of lively group discussion and fellowship. For more information or to register, contact Dcn. Jeff Arner at 623-866-5221 or jarner@sescc.org.
SPECIAL COLLECTION
NEXT WEEKEND!
Do you have a will? As Catholics, we are called to lives of stewardship—and that includes passing on our values and valuables to the next generation. St. Elizabeth Seton is introducing a free will-writing tool, sponsored by the Diocese of Phoenix, so all parishioners can create a will for free and support the people and ministries close to their heart.
NEW DIRECTIONS TO CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNT!
GET YOUR FREE ACOUNT TODAY
Visit https://formed.org/signup
Type in "St Elizabeth Seton Sun City"
Click on the link for St. Elizabeth Seton Sun City
Follow directions to create your account
Legion of Mary, A Lay Apostolate, meets Thursdays
St. Elizabeth Seton
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organization with several million members.
We gather each Thursday at 10:30am in the Mt. Carmel Room.
What is it? It’s a special opportunity for you to pray for vocations, You are given a Chalice for two weeks, along with specific prayers. Place it in a prominent place in your home. It’s a wonderful visual as you pray. You don’t need a group of people. Your prayers are needed to ask God to grant us more priest, religious and lay ministers.
REMEMBER: NO PRIEST - NO EUCHARIST
You will be presented the Chalice at the end of Mass or in private. If you are not able to get to church, it can be taken to you. Call Rachel Ruby at 623-972-1051. She will call you back to answer questions or to schedule you to receie the Chalice.
That Man Is You meets Saturday at 6:30am. For more information, please contact Deacon Jeff Arner.
Front Office Help - Contact Sylvia Cabral | scabral@sescc.org
Money Counters - Contact Sylvia Cabral | scabral@sescc.org
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion - Contact Steve Raml | sraml@sescc.org
Lectors, Ushers, Greeters, Hospitality - Contact Steve Raml | sraml@sescc.org
Bring Eucharist to the Homebound - Contact Deacon Jeff | jarner@sescc.org
OCIA Sponsors/Team, Catechists for Elementary through High School,
Catechists for Adult Formation, That Man Is You, Bereavement Support Team
Contact Deacon Jeff | jarner@sescc.org
Current Safe Environment certification is required for all volunteers.
On this 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Bishop John reflects on a Chartres Cathedral carving of Moses, whose hands are raised in prayer during the Exodus 17 battle, supported by his friends. Bishop John reminds us that prayer is not a solitary act, and even the great prophet needed support. Moses’ outstretched arms also foreshadow Christ's arms on the Cross — the ultimate act of intercession, prayer and sacrifice.
Bishop John brings an exciting and insightful perspective to the series as he earned a Master of Arts degree in Liturgy/Church Art and Architecture from St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, Calif.