Weekly Update 9/18/20
Mass Schedule
Weekday Livestream - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday @ 9:00am

Public Mass - Saturday @ 5:30pm

Livestream - Sunday @ 10:00am


How is Called to Serve as Christ different than the Annual Catholic Appeal

We have officially kicked off the Called to Serve as Christ campaign at our parish. Each year, our parish participates in and asks every family to make a gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal. The monies raised through the Annual Catholic Appeal provide annual operating support for base-level funding of important archdiocesan ministries, offices and programs to do their good work from year to year. 

The Called to Serve as Christ campaign will focus on strengthening the priest pension and retirement medical plans, provide support to women religious serving or who have served in the Archdiocese of Seattle, and assist key efforts in our parishes. This can only be addressed through an extraordinary fundraising effort. Archbishop Etienne is asking all of us to think about an extraordinary gift to the goals for this campaign. Remember the Archdiocese is seeking pledges to be paid over three years, and not just a one-time gift. Everyone can do something – even if it’s praying for the success of our effort. 
Listen to Sr. Joan Gallagher's witness talk for the Called to Serve campaign during the September 13th mass.

For more information go to
PARISH FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES ARE CONTINUING (albeit remotely)
 
FAMILY FAITH FORMATION “OPEN HOUSE” Sunday, September 20, 9:00-9:50 am, by Zoom. Families with children ages preschool through 6th grade are encouraged to participate.  Learn more about our upcoming programs for children and families, with a particular focus on nurturing faith in our homes. MORE INFORMATION and REGISTRATION
 
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION INFORMATION MEETING FOR ALL FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN Saturday, September 26, 10:00-11:00 am, by Zoom. Children who attended Sac Prep Year One classes last year or were in 1st Grade at our school will participate with their parents/guardians in this year’s program in preparation for both sacraments MORE INFORMATION and REGISTRATION
 
YOUTH CONFIRMATION INFORMATION MEETING Tuesday, September 22 or 29, 6:30-7:30 pm by Zoom. If you are an 8th grader through high school and have not been confirmed, you are invited to attend an information meeting on either night. Parents/guardians and youth are asked to participate together. MORE INFORMATION and REGISTRATION
 
ARE YOU AN ADULT WHO WANTS TO COMPLETE HER/HIS SACRAMENTS (1st Communion and/or Confirmation), RECENTLY RETURNING TO THE CHURCH, OR CONSIDERING BECOMING CATHOLIC? You are invited to participate in a process of initiation and formation into the Catholic community of faith. It encompasses the study of Scripture, Catholic teaching, and Christian values—the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action-all with the support and involvement of the parish community. A new Inquiry Group beings on Wednesday, October 7th, 6:30-8:00 pm by Zoom. Contact Helen for more information and registration
Please be generous in this week’s special collection for the CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. In the United States, one in six people lives in poverty. With this collection, you support programs that address the causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those struggling across the country. In addition, 25% of the funds we collect will remain in our diocese to fund local antipoverty projects. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this collection and work on the margins. You can find more information here or donate now.
ELECTION 2020

This November, we will elect a president and vote on other important races and issues. "In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. "People in every nation enhance the social dimension of their lives by acting as committed and responsible citizens" (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 220). The obligation to participate in political life is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do," (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, #13).  

How do we, as Catholics, form our consciences and make decisions that reflect our faith? Check out these resources to you help discern ahead of the November elections.
I wanted to share some good news with all of you regarding Mass attendance across the country in this time of Covid-19. While a national magazine, a recent article written in "Real Clear Science" uses the Seattle Archdiocese as an example of how it is going well in our parishes regarding the safety protocols we have in place. It highlights the fact that as of this writing there have been no confirmed cases of Coronavirus transmittal linked to Mass attendance. We continue to strive to help our parishioners stay safe and healthy. A special thanks to our staff and volunteers who help register, screen, usher and sanitize at each liturgy. Thanks as well to all of you for your patience and adherence to the protocols we have in place. It is obviously paying off and I encourage you to keep up the good work and "Keep the Faith!"
Fr. Kevin
It is hard to believe we are almost six months into our Safe Parking “Road to Housing” program! Our last two guests have recently moved on, one to another town and the other into their very own “Tiny Home”. Thank you for your support of this program. Having a safe place to be each night (as well as access to a toilet, microwave, fridge, food, and heat) provides some relief for our parkers and gives them a little more bandwidth to focus on their next steps. We are happy to play a small role in their journey to safe, stable housing.  
OUR EARTH NEEDS OUR PRAYERS!!! Join Archbishop Paul Etienne for a Season of Creation commemoration in which he will share his reflections on "Laudato Si at Five Years and Beyond," Monday, Sept. 28, 6:30pm to 7:30pm. ‪The evening of prayer and reflection promises to provide insights into the role that Pope Francis’ encyclical has had in advocating for a better world, and how we as Catholics may continue to work against climate change in our region in the coming years. The event will take place via Zoom. See https://www.stjames-cathedral.org/Events/2020/laudatosi5.aspx for details and to register.
CONGRATULATIONS & GOD’S BLESSINGS to Stella and Oscar Gorski who celebrated their First Holy Communion.