Our Lady of Fatima Portuguese Committee Building Community and Enriching Spiritual Life

Adiverse faith community brings an abundance of traditions, languages, and Catholic experiences into the mix. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is blessed with a vibrant and diverse community and we work hard to meet the needs of all. The Our Lady of Fatima Portuguese Committee serves the Portuguese community. Founded in 2008, the Portuguese Committee became part of our parish in 2016. They offer unique programs and liturgies in Portuguese. Deacon José Homem is actively involved with the Portuguese Committee and understands the unique needs of the parishioners.

“Having the Portuguese Committee is very important because that’s what the people are asking for,” Deacon José says. “They’re asking to have all of this and they want the celebrations in Portuguese. A lot of parishioners I know don’t speak English well and when they go to the English Mass, they don’t understand everything.”

The Portuguese Committee is important for both the spiritual life and to build community among our Portuguese parishioners. It shows them that they are welcomed and valued by our wider faith community. Mass in Portuguese is offered on the first and third Saturdays of the month at 6 p.m. Our Portuguese choir sings for this Mass.

“There are about 20 people in the choir and they do a beautiful job,” Deacon José says.

The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima is a special feast, celebrated on both May 13 and Oct. 13. The Portuguese Committee plans a beautiful celebration of Mass, benediction and adoration, and a candlelight procession with the Rosary to honor our Blessed Mother and her message at Fatima.

In the past, Deacon José led a Bible study for the Portuguese community. While the Bible study had to be put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions, he looks forward to leading it again and is planning to do so this fall. There is also a group called Ladies of the Rosary that meets every Tuesday to pray the Rosary together.

The Catholic Church is universal and all Catholics are united in their common faith as the Body of Christ. But our universal Church is also a beautiful mosaic of many traditions and cultures. Our small communities within the Body of Christ are where we grow and live out our faith.

“I’d like to see the Portuguese community be more involved and come to the Portuguese Masses,” Deacon José says. “The more people we have, the more we can do.”

For more information, check the parish bulletin, or contact Deacon José Homem at homem4@aol.com or 386-445-2246.