Homily: Feast of Elizabeth Ann Seton

Feast of Elizabeth Ann Seton (Jn 1:35-42) “A Most Generous Ministry”

This is a very important feast day in the history of our parish because St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the patroness of our Catholic Grade School. The grade school on our campus started when our parish began in 1906. Fr. Culemans, our founding pastor, believed in the importance of good education. Fr. Culemans held an advanced degree from Leuven University in Belgium. He studied under some of the best minds in Europe at the turn of the twentieth century.

Fr. Culemans came to Moline as an immigrant, and he ministered the Belgian immigrants of our area. The Belgians were like most immigrant groups. They fled their country because of the lack of economic opportunity. Like most immigrants they did not know English. Fr. Culemans knew that in order to become a part of American society the Belgian immigrants would have to be educated in English as well as other subjects.

American society was also not friendly to the Catholic Church in the 19th century. If Fr. Culemans Belgian friends were going to hold onto their faith, they would have a better chance if they went to a Catholic School. Catholic Schools were being started all over the country. With all this in mind, Sacred Heart Parish began its Catholic School called Sacred Heart School. In the last part of the 20th Century St. Mary and Sacred Heart Schools combined to become Seton School.

Religious women were essential to starting Catholic Schools. Fr. Culemans reached out to the Heading Avenue Franciscans in Peoria and asked them to staff Sacred Heart School. They sent sisters to teach and administer the school. These women worked for room and board and a small stipend. The school was successful, and the Franciscan Sisters were an important part of Sacred Heart’s history for 100 years.

Mother Seton was born in New York City 1774. She was widowed and a convert to the Catholic faith. She was asked by her parish priest to begin a school. She is known as the founder of the Catholic School System in the United States. Someone once said that Catholic Schools were the most generous ministry that the Church in the United States ever engaged in. Sacred Heart Parish has been richly blessed by its school.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Did I know the history of Catholic Schools? Did I benefit from this ministry of the church?

2.    What are the challenges of having Catholic Schools today? Is there anything I can do to help?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Today we have two special events. We are saying a Mass for Pope Benedict at 6:30 a.m. and we will be having prayers for him at our 8 a.m. Mass. It is always a custom to have Masses said for a deceased Pope.

          Pope Benedict was Pontiff at a very difficult time in church history. The church was coming to grips with sex abuse scandals. He began to develop canonical processes to remove abusive priests. Many would say he moved too slow, but he was willing to ask hard questions and to change.

          Pope Benedict was a prominent Theologian at the Second Vatican Council. He was a scholar and an academic. It is thought that this is what he preferred. Sometimes what we want is not where God calls us. Pope Benedict did his best when he was called to serve. He also had the good sense to step down when he realized he did not have the abilities needed to lead the church. His humility at that moment will always be remembered.

          The second parish activity that will change today is our Wednesday adoration. We will now have adoration in the Lee Center from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Benediction will be at 4. Please come and join us in prayer.

          May Our Lady Watch over us today.

          Fr. Mark