About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Aloha, Oregon
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Aloha, Oregon, part of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Located at 3145 SW 192nd Ave in the Aloha community of Washington County, the parish offers Mass in both English and Spanish and is served by Pastor Fr. Edgar Rivera and Deacon Jesus Espinoza. The parish mission statement reads: 'Here at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, we strive to create a Catholic culture of Prayer, Teamwork and Discipleship through knowing Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Good, Beautiful and True.' The parish is named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821), the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, S.C.)
- Rector
- Fr. Edgar Rivera
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a small but vibrant bilingual parish where worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with multiple Mass times each Sunday and daily Mass on weekdays. The parish runs a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry serving neighbors in need, supports youth ministry with annual First Communion and Confirmation formation, and hosts a variety of lay ministries including Spanish Charismatic Prayer (Renovación Carismática), Marriage Encounter, Right to Life, and Vocations support. With weekday adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel and a pastor who is open to learning and growing with the community, SEAS offers a personal, discipleship-focused parish home in the heart of Aloha.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (after 7 PM Mass)
- Friday: 8:30 AM (after 8 AM Mass)
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- By appointment with Fr. Edgar (Las confesiones también están disponibles haciendo una cita con el P. Edgar)
Adoration times
- Monday – Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Adoration in the Chapel)
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Adoration in the Chapel)
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel)
- The Chapel is open during office hours for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish identifies itself as a Roman Catholic parish under the Archdiocese of Portland, located in Aloha, Oregon. Its stated mission is to 'create a Catholic culture of Prayer, Teamwork and Discipleship through knowing Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Good, Beautiful and True.' The parish is small and intentionally bilingual, welcoming English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Aloha community of Washington County. The parish's website (seas-aloha.org) is fully bilingual, with corresponding Spanish translations for nearly every schedule and announcement.
- Mission: Prayer, Teamwork, and Discipleship
- Roman Catholic parish under the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
- Bilingual: English and Spanish
About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Patron)
The parish is named for Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, S.C. (August 28, 1774 – January 4, 1821), the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. She was canonized on September 14, 1975. She established the first Catholic girls' school in the nation in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she also founded the first American congregation of religious sisters, the Sisters of Charity. Her feast day is January 4.
- Born: August 28, 1774
- Died: January 4, 1821
- Canonized: September 14, 1975 — first native-born U.S. citizen saint
- Feast Day: January 4
- Founded the Sisters of Charity and first U.S. Catholic girls' school
- Patron of: in-law problems, against the death of children, widows, death of parents, opposition of Church authorities
Parish History & Memories
The parish was formally incorporated as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Aloha, Oregon on April 29, 2008, and has served the Aloha area since. The parish website includes a 'SEAS Memories and History' photo archive that preserves sacramental milestones such as youth First Communion and Confirmation classes (with photos from 2022 and 2023). In summer 2023, after eight years under Fr. Jeff Meeuwsen, the parish welcomed Fr. Edgar Rivera as its new pastor in a direct swap assigned by Archbishop Alexander K. Sample.
- Incorporated April 29, 2008 (Oregon Domestic Nonprofit Corporation, Registry #51677590)
- Fr. Jeff Meeuwsen served as pastor for 8 years (≈2015–June 2023)
- Fr. Edgar Rivera began as pastor in June 2023
- SEAS Memories & History photo archive (First Communion, Confirmation)
Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by a small but dedicated staff. Fr. Edgar Rivera serves as pastor and may be reached directly at (503) 852-2127 or [email protected]. Deacon Jesus Espinoza serves as Pastoral Associate. The office team includes Carmen Orozco (Office Manager), Rosa Flores (Parish Secretary / Administrative Assistant), and Pati Izquierdo (RE Administrative Assistant).
- Fr. Edgar Rivera — Pastor
- Dcn. Jesus Espinoza — Pastoral Associate
- Carmen Orozco — Office Manager
- Rosa Flores — Parish Secretary / Administrative Assistant
- Pati Izquierdo — RE Administrative Assistant
Pastor: Fr. Edgar Rivera
Fr. Edgar Rivera introduced himself to the parish in his 'Father's Notes' letter dated July 2, 2023. He was born April 17 in the State of Nayarit, Mexico, completed seminary studies at Mount Angel in St. Benedict, Oregon, and was ordained June 5, 2015 by Archbishop Alexander K. Sample at St. Mary Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. His first assignment as parochial vicar was at St. Mary's in Eugene, OR (three years), followed by five years as pastor of both St. Helen & St. Rose parishes. His hobbies include swimming, reading, watching movies, and cooking — especially seafood.
- Born: April 17 in Nayarit, Mexico
- Seminary: Mount Angel Seminary, St. Benedict, OR
- Ordained: June 5, 2015 by Archbishop Alexander K. Sample
- Prior assignments: St. Mary's Eugene (parochial vicar); St. Helen & St. Rose (pastor)
- Direct line: (503) 852-2127
Past Pastor: Fr. Jeff Meeuwsen
Fr. Jeff Meeuwsen served St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for eight years before being reassigned by Archbishop Sample in June 2023 to St. Joseph Parish in Salem — the largest parish in Oregon. In his farewell letter, Fr. Jeff wrote that the community had celebrated baptisms, watched children grow up, shared meals, celebrated marriages and anniversaries, built a building together, and buried faithful departed loved ones together. He closed with, 'It's hard to say goodbye so instead I'll say, "see you later."'
- Served SEAS Aloha for 8 years (≈2015–2023)
- Reassigned June 2023 to St. Joseph, Salem
Office Hours & Contact
The parish office is located at 3145 SW 192nd Ave, Aloha, OR 97003, with phone (503) 649-9044. Office hours are Monday through Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Thursday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The office is closed Sunday, Friday, and Saturday. The parish uses email aliases for staff ([email protected], [email protected], [email protected]) and Fr. Edgar's direct email is [email protected].
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: Closed
Ministries
The parish website organizes its ministries into four categories: Liturgy Ministry, Youth Ministry, Service Ministry, and Other Ministry. A separate 'More Ministry' page highlights Renovación Carismática (Spanish Charismatic Prayer), Marriage Encounter / Encuentro Matrimonial, Vocations at SEAS, and Right to Life. The parish also runs a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry that serves neighbors in need.
- Liturgy Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Service Ministry
- Other Ministry
- Renovación Carismática (Spanish Charismatic Prayer)
- Marriage Encounter / Encuentro Matrimonial
- Vocations at SEAS / Vocaciones en SEAS
- Right to Life
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The new St. Vincent de Paul food pantry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church is open by appointment only, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. To schedule a visit, call 503-649-5841. The pantry is also promoted in Spanish: 'La nueva despensa de alimentos de St. Vincent de Paul en la Iglesia Católica St. Elizabeth Ann Seton está ABIERTA. SOLO POR CITA, de lunes, martes, y jueves de 11:00 a.m. a 2:00 p.m. ¡LLAME PARA UNA CITA! 503-649-5841.'
- Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- By appointment only
- Phone: 503-649-5841
Religious Education & Sacraments
The parish supports youth sacramental preparation, with First Communion and Confirmation classes featured in the 'SEAS Memories and History' photo archive (with class photos from 2022 and 2023). RE Administrative Assistant Pati Izquierdo can be reached at [email protected]. The parish celebrates the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, Matrimony (supported by the Marriage Encounter ministry), and Reconciliation on the scheduled times listed above plus by appointment with Fr. Edgar.
- Religious Education program for youth
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, Marriage, Confession
Live Streaming & Online Presence
The parish live-streams the Saturday 5:30 PM Spanish Vigil Mass and the Sunday 8:00 AM English Mass. Streams are available through the SEAS YouTube channel, which also hosts a library of past homilies and videos from Fr. Edgar.
- Live stream: Saturday 5:30 PM Spanish Mass
- Live stream: Sunday 8:00 AM English Mass
- SEAS YouTube channel — homilies and recorded streams
Father's Notes / Notas del Padre
The parish publishes pastoral letters under 'Father's Notes / Notas del Padre.' These include Fr. Jeff's June 25, 2023 farewell letter and Fr. Edgar's July 2, 2023 introduction letter, both published in English and Spanish.
- Farewell from Fr. Jeff — June 25, 2023
- Introduction from Fr. Edgar — July 2, 2023
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Jeff MeeuwsenApproximately 2015 – June 2023 (8 years)
Reassigned by Archbishop Sample to St. Joseph, Salem, in June 2023; built the parish community and oversaw construction of parish facilities during his tenure.
- Fr. Edgar RiveraJune 2023 – present
Ordained June 5, 2015 by Archbishop Alexander K. Sample at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; previously parochial vicar at St. Mary's, Eugene, then pastor of St. Helen & St. Rose parishes for five years; born April 17 in Nayarit, Mexico; studied at Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, OR.