November 30, 2025 | 1st Sunday of Advent
Bishop Dolan’s Pastoral Letter: El Camino Real
Bishop John Dolan released a pastoral letter on Nov. 21, entitled El Camino Real, delving into year two of TILMA, his seven-year pastoral plan on evangelization leading up to the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 2031.
Advent: A Season of Contrasts
Steve Raml
As we enter a new Church Year with this First Sunday of Advent, it may seem like this entire season feels a bit schizophrenic. Perhaps that is by design. For example, I see Advent as a season of contrasts:
- We prepare for the coming of God - as a man.
- We prepare for the coming of God - as a man.
- Our thoughts are of a child - who is a king.
- We look at an infant - and see a Savior.
- We prepare for the coming of one born in a specific time in a specific place - while we know that he is the Messiah for all ages.
Advent’s Dual Nature
The idea of contrasts is foremost in the Church’s own teaching about Advent, saying this season has a dual nature: “Advent has a two-fold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time.” (General Norms of the Liturgical Year 39)
Disciple Maker Index Survey
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.
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.
During this First Sunday of Advent, Isaiah gives us one of the most stirring visions of hope in all of Scripture: a vision of a world transformed — not by power or politics, but by conversion of the human heart. This week, Bishop John reflects on a statue entitled “Let Us Beat Swords into Ploughshares” by Yevgeny Vuchetich, reminding us that transformation doesn’t begin with nations, but rather within each one of us.
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.