|
MORNING ROSARY During Advent, you are invited to join in the praying of the rosary immediately following the 8:00am Mass on weekdays. Let us pray!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Wednesday, December 7 at 7:00pm in the Holy Names Room of the Pastoral Outreach Center. A parish Advent tradition returns! Scott Webster will read selections from the Christmas classic of Charles Dickens. Holiday drinks and snacks will be provided. Victorian attire is optional!
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Masses for the Holy Day will be Wednesday, December 7 at 5:30pm, and Thursday, December 8 at 8:00am, 10:10am (with O’Dea High School), and 12:10pm.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Every Friday morning, following the 8:00am Mass, we will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, continuing until 9:30am, with the Rosary at 8:30am. All are invited to join in this time of prayer in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL THANKS YOU In this season of counting our blessings, a middle aged neighbor was very thankful to move into an apartment after being homeless for three years. The man works full time and had been able to handle his financial obligations until he made a loan to a friend. Unfortunately he discovered his friend was dishonest and the money he loaned was not returned. This loss made him short of funds to pay his current month’s rent in full. Wanting to have a good rental record and to ensure he kept his housing, the man called the St Vincent de Paul Helpline requesting assistance (206-767-6449). With your support, we were able to cover the portion of rent that the man fell short of paying himself. Information, Jo Ann Wiesner, 206-291-4012 or wiesnerjo@gmail.com.
IN THE CATHEDRAL BOOKSTORE Christmas shopping for a good cause! Stop by the Cathedral Bookstore for a wide variety of good books, history, prayer, scripture, and so much more. The Cathedral Bookstore is staffed entirely by volunteers and all proceeds benefit St. James Cathedral. There are also openings to volunteer either weekdays or weekends. Information, Caroline Okello, cokello@stjames-cathedral.org or 206-382-4500.
SIMBANG GABI CELEBRATION Saturday, December 10, 11:00am Mass. Join Archbishop Etienne and participants from dozens of parishes for the festive opening celebration of Simbang Gabi, a novena of Masses in which we prepare for Christmas in company with Mary. This colorful and prayerful Mass includes the blessing of parols (traditional star shaped lanterns from the Philippines) and helps us to focus our Christmas celebration on the coming of Jesus, Light of the World. All are welcome.
YOUNG ADULTS OPEN HOUSE If you are seeking to grow deeper in your devotion to Jesus Christ, you’re invited to join an Open House at the Pastoral Outreach Center from 6:30-8:00pm immediately following the 5:30 Sunday Mass on December 11. Come connect with us to learn more about joining a weekly small group as well as opportunities to support social justice in our community. Children are welcome and refreshments will be provided. Information and RSVP, Andrew Braley, abraley@stjames-cathedral.org.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING CATHOLIC? Seeking a closer relationship with God? Feeling the need for spiritual community and support? Wanting to make the Catholic faith your own? Wondering how to go about joining the Catholic Church? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) might be for you. Information, John Marquez, 206-654-4640, jmarquez@stjames-cathedral.org.
ADULT CONFIRMATION Are you or is someone you know 17 or older and in need of the sacrament of Confirmation? The sacrament will be celebrated on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 7pm. Classes in preparation for Confirmation begin on Tuesday, February 28. Catholic Baptism and First Communion are required. Information and registration, John Marquez, 206-654-4640 or jmarquez@stjames-cathedral.org. Deadline for registration is February 21, 2023.
ADVENT GIVING TREE AND SOCK DRIVE Consider sharing a gift with someone who may not receive anything during this upcoming Christmas season. Come by the Mary Shrine to pick a tag off our annual Giving Tree. Each tag contains a gift wish from someone in need in our community. Our Annual “Warm Hearts and Soles” Advent Sock Drive is also underway! Our Goal: 2,022 pairs of socks for homeless men. Both giving programs are easy and fun to participate: simply shop for the item and return it after Sunday Mass in the Cathedral Chapel or Bookstore or have it shipped to the Parish Office by Sunday, December 11. Information, Patrick Barredo, 206-382-4515 or pbarredo@stjames-cathedral.org.
YOUTH ALTAR SERVERS Children who have received their First Holy Communion are eligible to participate in the Mass in a special way as altar servers. Altar servers add dignity to the liturgy and assist the priest during Mass. Altar serving is a great way for kids to get to know the Mass better, and participate actively in their faith along with other young people. The time commitment is flexible based on your family’s schedule, and there are openings at all Masses. Information, Corinna Laughlin, 206-264-2086 or claughlin@stjames-cathedral.org.
SERAPHIM CHOIR (Children, grades 1-3) If you and your 1st through 3rd grade child(ren) are seeking an opportunity to participate in youth music ministry this holiday season, Seraphim Choir is here for you! The choir meets every Thursday from 4:30-6:00pm and will sing for the first time since the pandemic at the 5:30pm Christmas Eve Mass, Saturday, December 24. Connect with the Youth Music Office to learn more about joining! Snacks and activities are provided at each weekly rehearsal. Information, the Youth Music Office, youthmusic@stjames-cathedral.org or 206-382-4876.
ON GUN VIOLENCE Let us act on the words of that the U.S. bishops shared this past summer: We call on Catholics, lawmakers, community leaders, health care and social service providers, law enforcement, and families to keep pushing for change and offer prayers, support, and generous assistance to victims. For years, the Catholic bishops of the United States have supported policies to strengthen gun laws, as well as emphasized mental health, family, and cultural factors, aimed at curbing gun violence. We support a total ban on assault weapons and limitations on civilian access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines. It is sobering to think that as horrible as mass shootings are, they are but a sliver of total annual homicides committed with guns; and gun homicides, in turn, are far outnumbered by gun suicides. May we live to see an America that can celebrate its freedoms without orphaning its children. May the pursuit of liberty one day be a faithful guardian to the pursuit of life. May the Light of God’s compassion shine on us and guide our feet out of darkness and the shadow of death, and into the way of peace.
INTERNATION HUMAN RIGHTS DAY IS OBSERVED EVERY YEAR ON DECEMBER 10, commemorating the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sets out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which all of us are entitled. It guarantees the rights of every individual everywhere, without distinction based on nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.
SCHOLA CANTORUM (Grades 4-8) and JUBILATE (Grades 8-12+) Youth Music is calling all newly interested singers, present choristers, and Youth Music alums to journey in faith and song with us this Advent and Christmas Season. Jubilate rehearses on Mondays, 4:45-6:45pm. Schola Cantorum rehearses on Thursdays, 4:30-6:30pm. Youth Music will sing the 12pm Mass on Sundays December 4, 18, and January 8; Youth Music will also sing at Advent Readings and Carols, Friday, December 16, 7:30pm, the 5:30pm Christmas Eve Mass, Saturday, December 24. Please plan to attend weekly rehearsals—all are welcome, even if you’d like to just try it out for the first time. Information, the Youth Music Office, youthmusic@stjames-cathedral.org or 206-382-4876.
TEEN, YOUNG ADULT AND ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FAITH FRIENDS MINISTRY Faith Friends is a unique blend of our Faith Mentor, children’s faith formation program, and an inclusion ministry. The ministry's goal is to give children and teens ages 7- 18 with physical, cognitive and/or intellectual disabilities access to the parish community, social events, and faith formation. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Faith Friends program is the Faith Peer program. Faith Peers are teens and young adults who have chosen to live out their discipleship and share some of their personal time in dedication and service to the goals of the program. Information, Jennifer Wong, 206-619-0816, faithfriends@stjames-cathedral.org, or www.faithfriendsstjames.org.
| 
