Seton Hall University held its first annual University Parish Mission from November 17 to 19, 2025, focusing on the theme “Gratitude and Hospitality: Communicating the Gospel Message in the 21st Century.” The event was organized by the Preaching as Hospitality Formation Program of the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST).
Father Agustino Torres, CFR, a Seton Hall alumnus from the class of 1999, led the three-day event at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. The mission included nightly Masses, presentations, opportunities for confession, and a reception in the seminary refectory. Speakers Holly Wright and Lissete Barretto from Corazón Puro—a Bronx-based ministry co-founded by Father Torres—also participated.
Father Torres spoke about his experiences serving poor communities in Honduras and the Bronx to illustrate Christian hospitality. He emphasized that true hospitality centers on Christ and is something both given and received. “To see Jesus in those that were offering hospitality, especially the poorest of the poor, because we really do learn it from the poor. But it makes us free. It gives us freedom,” said Father Torres.
He referenced Genesis 18:1-15 as an example of hospitality requiring sacrifice but also resulting in receiving a gift. Sharing a story from his time in Honduras, he noted: “The joy of the people at receiving just this little packet of meat, and whatever they had made with the beans and the rice and the packet of meat that we gave, they gave it back to us. And they were saying, ‘Here, Father, we made this for you.’” According to Father Torres, hospitality involves both giving and receiving.
Holly Wright discussed Mary of Bethany’s act described in Matthew 26:6-13 as an example of radical hospitality toward Jesus. She encouraged attendees to follow Mary’s example by sharing what they have with others: “Let us learn from our lacking, our brokenness, from our own rejection wounds…How to break ourselves open and pour ourselves out to be a fragrant offering,” she said.
Lissete Barretto drew inspiration from her upbringing in New York City and a mission trip to the Texas-Mexico border when discussing Luke 10:25-37—the Parable of the Good Samaritan. She highlighted how compassion should guide actions over indifference: “Jesus calls each of us, you and I, to something deeper,” Barretto said. “To welcome, to cross to the other side of the road and to love courageously.”
The audience responded positively each evening. Many expressed gratitude after hearing personal testimonies about faith and hospitality.
The next University Parish Mission is scheduled for November 16 through November 18, 2026; all members of Seton Hall are invited.
ICSST’s Preaching as Hospitality Formation Program aims to train seminarians and graduate theology students—including newly ordained priests or pastors—to approach preaching as an act centered on invitation and compassion.
