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WELCOME BACK Would you yourself–or someone you know–like to take another look at the Catholic Church? If, for one reason or another, you have been away and long for community, or feel hungry for something more, Welcome Back might be just the right place to safely express your concerns. A new in-person six-week series will begin in late August. Information, John Simpson, 206-654-4658 or jsimpson@stjames-cathedral.org.
WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS St. James Cathedral’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry and the Archdiocese of Seattle Mental Health Ministry are sponsoring Wellness Wednesdays, an educational forum featuring professionals from various mental health disciplines speaking on topics related to mental health. The next installment on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, will be a special hybrid (virtual/in-person) event on Spirituality and Dementia, featuring Sr Judy Ryan and Father James Eblen. It will occur both on Zoom and live at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. Register, https://archseattle.org/events/wellness-wednesdays-7/
ST VINCENT DE PAUL THANKS YOU A man who lost his job during the pandemic soon after experienced a medical condition which has resulted in loss of balance, and as a result, numerous falls. Consequently, the combination of these things left him depressed and anxious. When his unemployment benefits ended and his application for disability remained pending, he became short of rent money. This neighbor called the SVdP Helpline (206-767-6449) requesting assistance. With your help, we were able to offer some rent assistance and give him some relief. Information,
Jo Ann Wiesner, 206-291-4012 or wiesnerjo@gmail.com.
CARE FOR CREATION TIP OF THE WEEK The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) offers a free interactive calculate to learn your carbon footprint and actions to take to reduce it. A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. The average carbon footprint for a person in the U. S. is 16 tons, one of the highest rates in the world. The average global carbon footprint per year needs to drop to under 2 tons by 2050. By making small changes to our actions, like eating less meat, taking fewer connecting flights and line drying our clothes, we can start making a big difference.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Tuesdays, September 12 through October 31, 10:00-11:30am in the Pastoral Outreach Center. You are invited to join this 8-week support group facilitated by Anisa Ralls, Director of the Mental Health and Wellness Ministry. Register, Anisa Ralls, 206-382-4269 or aralls@stjames-cathedral.org
CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATION 2023-2024 St. James Cathedral provides the Children’s Faith Formation program from September to June for children ages 4- 11, and Confirmation (for children 7th and 8th Grade). Classes take place on Sunday from approximately 11:00 am to 12:10pm. Registration begins next Sunday, August 27! See bulletin page for details.
PREPARING FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The Archdiocese of Seattle mandates a 2 year preparation period for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion. This normally begins when a child starts 1st grade, and continues into 2nd grade. Some children start a year later (2nd and 3rd grades). If your child will be in 1st or 2nd grade this fall, please sign them up in August, 2023 for Sacramental Preparation beginning this September. Information, Tami Kowal, 206-219-5822 or tkowal@stjames-cathedral.org.
YOUTH PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION IN 2024 Candidates for Confirmation are now typically in 7th or 8th Grade. Our Confirmation program runs from September to May. If your child will be in one of these grades this fall, please sign them up in August, 2023 for classes beginning in September. Information, Tami Kowal, 206-219-5822 or tkowal@stjames-cathedral.org.
FAITH FRIENDS INCLUSION MINISTRY Faith Friends is an inclusion ministry serving children and teens from across the Archdiocese of Seattle. We are a unique blend of our Faith Mentor and Children’s Faith Formation program, and provide Sacramental Preparation, as well as opportunities for friendship with other youth. Sessions begin September 24. Information, Leticia Escobar, 206-619-0816, faithfriends@stjames-cathedral.org.
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. 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. Adult volunteers are needed for the Adult Leadership team. Volunteer training is September 10. Consider getting involved! Information, Leticia Escobar, 206-619-0816, faithfriends@stjames-cathedral.org, or www.faithfriendsstjames.org.
WELCOME BACKPACKS UPDATE In March 2023, Immigrant Assistance began welcoming migrants who recently arrived in Seattle after crossing the southern border. A new volunteer team, the Respite Team, was staffed with Spanish-speakers. Essential items to fill Welcome Backpacks were donated by the community. The Respite Team has given out 18 backpacks, with gift cards enclosed, and is supporting families from countries including Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru, Honduras, Angola, Mexico and Colombia. The Respite Team has been able to respond to more needs than we expected, thanks to generous financial support from Catholic Community Services and others in the community! One newcomer came to St. James in May, with a nearly-empty prescription bottle and significant concern for how to refill this important medication. This individual does not have health insurance, nor regular income, and recently arrived in Seattle from South America. A Respite Team member connected the newcomer with a clinic, and within three weeks they had an appointment and the medication in-hand. St. James covered the prescription cost, visit co-pay, and two months of rental assistance for their household. May God help us to shine light and peace to each migrant we’ve been honored to encounter on their journey. Information, Erica de Klerk, edeklerk@stjames-cathedral.org or 206-382-4511.
HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS! Volunteer Services is a program of Catholic Community Services committed to helping elders and adults with disabilities remain living independently through a network of caring, community-minded volunteers of all ages. Assistance needed includes light housework, yardwork, shopping and errands and/or pet care. Information, Jonny Prociv, program manager, 206-328-5787 or vc@ccsww.org.
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY? Are you interested in discovering a vibrant faith group that serves our local community in meaningful ways? Jesuit Volunteer EnCorps will support you in your commitment! We are a group, ages 40+, that meets monthly in-person. As a program of JVC Northwest, we explore our commitment to values such as social and ecological justice, community, and spirituality. We assist group members to explore volunteer options in our community. Program begins in September. Apply by August 31 to be included in the opening retreat. Applications are accepted throughout the program year. Interested, Karen Beal, 971-353-6946 or www.jvencorps.org.
IS YOUR CHILD INTERESTED IN BECOMING CATHOLIC? Did your child or someone you love miss their sacraments of initiation because of the pandemic or for some other reason? RCIA/C is for young people who desire, with the consent and support of their parents and guardians, to become fully-initiated Catholics. Information, Tami Kowal, tkowal@stjames-cathedral.org.
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