About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Tucson, Arizona
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish (affectionately known as "SEAS") is a thriving Roman Catholic parish located on the far northwest side of Tucson, Arizona, in the Diocese of Tucson. Established in January 1980 by Bishop Green, the parish has grown from an initial community of about 85 families meeting at a local public school into one of the largest parishes in the diocese, currently serving thousands of registered families across northwest Tucson and the surrounding communities. The parish offers a full sacramental life — including five Sunday Masses (one in Spanish), daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confessions, RCIA, a parish school (PK-8), religious education, Life Teen youth ministry, and a wide range of liturgical and outreach ministries. The current church building, designed by architect Douglas Seaver, can seat over 1,700 worshipers and was first used at the Easter Vigil of 1995.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Fr. Edward Lucero
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton offers a remarkably full Catholic life on Tucson's northwest side: five Sunday Masses (including a weekly Spanish Mass), daily Mass, weekday Adoration in the chapel from 9:00-10:30 AM, Saturday confessions, a parish school serving 350+ students PK-8, a parish school of religion, RCIA, Life Teen and Agape youth ministries for high-schoolers and middle-schoolers, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, REAL Women of SEAS, That Man Is You!, a 50+ Club, Eucharistic Holy Hour, Vacation Bible School, and a Hispanic ministry with prayer groups, choir, and cenacle. The parish also maintains a strong music program under Music Director Janna Todd and offers a free subscription to FORMED for parishioners — a generous spiritual-resources platform for the whole family.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM (Family Room & Confessionals)
Adoration times
- Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM in Chapel
- Chapel open daily 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton ("SEAS") is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Tucson serving the far northwest side of Tucson, Arizona. Founded in January 1980 by Bishop Green and led by founding pastor Msgr. Thomas Millane, the community has grown from about 85 families meeting at Butterfield Elementary School into one of the largest parishes in the diocese, now serving thousands of registered families. The parish is known for its robust sacramental life, its parish school (PK-8), and a wide variety of ministries serving every age and language group.
- Established January 1980, Diocese of Tucson
- Affectionately known as "SEAS"
- Located at 8650 N Shannon Road, Tucson, AZ 85742
Parish History
The Diocese of Tucson purchased several acres of desert land in the early 1970s in anticipation of growth on the northwest side. After Bishop Green officially established the parish in January 1980, Msgr. Thomas Millane shepherded the founding community through its earliest years. The first church building was dedicated on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12, 1982), and a much larger replacement church — designed by architect Douglas Seaver and seating over 1,700 — was first used for the Easter Vigil on April 15, 1995. By that date, SEAS had grown to about 2,150 registered families. Msgr. Millane retired in 2006 after 26 years and was succeeded by Fr. Joseph Lombardo; Fr. Edward Lucero has served as pastor since 2018.
- 1980: Parish established; founding pastor Msgr. Thomas Millane
- 1980-1982: Worship held at Butterfield Elementary School
- September 18, 1982: First Mass in the new parish center
- December 12, 1982: Church dedicated on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- December 19, 1993: Groundbreaking for the current (much larger) church
- April 15, 1995 (Easter Vigil): First Mass in the current 1,700-seat church
- July 31, 2006: Msgr. Millane retires; Fr. Joseph Lombardo succeeds him
- 2018 - Present: Fr. Edward Lucero serves as pastor
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Edward Lucero (Pastor, 2018-Present) and is served by two Parochial Vicars, five permanent deacons, and a dedicated music director. The team reflects the parish's bilingual ministry (English and Spanish).
- Fr. Edward Lucero — Pastor (2018-Present)
- Fr. Binu Rathappillil — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Luis Pablo Ochoa Escárrega — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Chris Kimminau
- Deacon Richard Kiser
- Deacon Jack Treviño
- Deacon Mario Rodriguez
- Deacon Fran Sherlock
- Janna Todd — Music Director
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School (PK-8)
The parish school opened in January 2003 after founding pastor Msgr. Thomas Millane launched a preschool class of just 10 students in 2002. Today the school serves more than 350 students from preschool through 8th grade and is fully accredited by the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA). The school partners closely with the parish and with parents, who are recognized as the primary educators of their children.
- Founded 2002-2003 by Msgr. Thomas Millane
- Serves over 350 students PK-8
- Accredited by the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA)
- Mission: to inspire spirituality, academic excellence, and service, forming lifelong disciples in faith
- Compliance Administrator: Maureen Breda ([email protected], 520-219-7611)
- School Board: Randy Post (President), Joe Chimienti (Vice President), Deanna Leonardi (Secretary), Jodi Danter, Arnold Silva, Joe Wagovich
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Beyond the parish school, SEAS offers a comprehensive parish school of religion for children, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for adults seeking to enter the Church, and Children's Liturgy of the Word for younger children during Mass. The Cafe SEAS program also appears to serve as a parish gathering/outreach arm.
- Religious Education (Parish School of Religion)
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Cafe SEAS
- Vacation Bible School
Youth Ministry
SEAS runs two dedicated youth programs to walk with students through the middle-school and high-school years, building on one another.
- Catholic Youth Ministry - High School (Life Teen)
- Catholic Youth Ministry - Agape (Middle School)
Liturgical Ministries & Music
The parish has a deep bench of liturgical ministers who support the celebration of the Mass and other devotions. Music Director Janna Todd leads a vibrant music program rooted in St. Augustine's words, "He who sings prays twice."
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion (Eucharistic Ministers)
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion for the Homebound
- Holy Hour
- Lectors
- Liturgical Arts
- Music Ministry — Director Janna Todd
- Sacristans
- Hospitality (Ushers)
Devotions
Beyond weekday Mass, the parish offers a daily Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration and a Family Prayer and Rosary devotion to help families pray together.
- Eucharistic Adoration (Mon-Fri 9:00-10:30 AM in the Chapel)
- Family Prayer and Rosary
- Holy Hour
Pastoral Care & Outreach
The Bereavement Ministry ministers to families at the loss of a loved one, and the parish's Homebound Eucharistic Ministers bring Holy Communion to those who cannot easily come to church. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference and the parish food/hospitality ministries are visible works of charity flowing from the parish.
- Bereavement Ministry
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Homebound
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SEAS Conference)
Community Clubs & Organizations
SEAS hosts a number of parish clubs and affiliate organizations that foster fellowship and formation across ages and interests.
- 50+ Club
- Arts & Crafts Club
- Knights of Columbus
- REAL Women of SEAS
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- That Man Is You!
Ministerio Hispano (Hispanic Ministry)
Reflecting Tucson's strong Hispanic Catholic community, SEAS operates a full Hispanic ministry with Spanish-language Mass every Sunday at 1:00 PM and an extensive network of Spanish-language prayer, catechetical, liturgical, and pastoral groups.
- Catequistas
- Grupo de Oración
- Ministerio de Oración
- Ministerio de Eucaristía
- Ministerio de Proclamadores (Lectors)
- Sacristanes
- Ministerio de Los Enfermos (Visitation of the Sick)
- Ministerio de Hospitalidad (Hospitality)
- Cenaculo
- Movimiento Mariano
- Eventos
- Coro de Español (Spanish Choir)
Parish Resources & Online Giving
The parish provides online giving and a free FORMED subscription for parishioners. FORMED is a premier online Catholic platform with videos, audio, and e-books for all ages, accessible after registering with the parish's zip code (85742).
- Online Giving (via parish website)
- FORMED Catholic media platform (signup.formed.org; enter zip 85742 and select SEAS)
- Annual Catholic Appeal (Diocese of Tucson)
- Online Mass livestream for the 5 PM Saturday Vigil and Sunday 7:00, 9:00, and 1:00 PM Masses
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (520) 297-7357 or by email at [email protected]. The parish is located at 8650 N Shannon Road, Tucson, AZ 85742, and the chapel is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM for prayer and visits.
- Address: 8650 N Shannon Road, Tucson, AZ 85742
- Phone: (520) 297-7357
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.seastucson.org/
- Chapel hours: Daily 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Millane1980 - July 31, 2006
Founding pastor; served 26 years as senior pastor; founded St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School (opened 2003 with a preschool class of 10 students in 2002). Continued as pastor emeritus after retirement.
- Rev. Joseph Lombardo2006 - (succeeded Millane; date range not fully verified)
Took over as senior pastor when Msgr. Millane retired on July 31, 2006.
- Fr. Edward Lucero2018 - Present
Current pastor, per the parish's Clergy and Seminarians page.