Dear Friends in Christ,

I have a challenge for you in the coming week: Will you join me Thursday, September 24th, in a day of fasting and prayer for our country. This is a nationwide effort to encourage Christians to engage in deep prayer for our broken nation, after the example set by President Abraham Lincoln during the civil war. President Lincoln issued proclamations for all people of faith to fast and pray at critical times during the war. To learn more about that and read the proclamations, you can click here: https://www.actsxxix.org/national-day-prayer-fasting

This idea comes from Fr. John Riccardo and the team of the Detroit-based non-profit apostolate ACTS XXIX. Several Seattle priests, including yours truly, are attending an ACTS XXIX Academy every Thursday evening to help build up our ministries and parishes post-pandemic. Fr. Riccardo said “Looking at all that’s happening in our country right now, it seems we need a lot of things. Policy and law are crucial, to be sure. But as important as these are, they can’t fix the root problem. The real problem of American culture today is that our hearts are messed up. Only God can fix the human heart, and He loves doing that.”

The idea for the entire nation devoting a single day to prayer and fasting grew out of the weekly podcast series produced by ACTS XXIX, You Were Born for This with Fr. John Riccardo. An episode in mid-July about the need for courage in these times sparked a great response from listeners. While working on a follow-up episode, Fr. John was led to President Abraham Lincoln’s Presidential Proclamations where Lincoln called for a day of fasting, prayer, and public humiliation. Mary Guilfoyle, ACTS XXIX Associate Director, also felt led in prayer to call for a day of prayer and fasting and urged that ACTS XXIX take the lead. “This is not about politics or any particular social movement or even the November election,” Fr. Riccardo cautions. “This is about asking for God’s mercy on our nation and the healing of our hearts—all of our hearts, starting with mine.” He hopes that the entire country, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and all people of goodwill, would set September 24th as a National Day of Prayer and Fasting.

Friends, prayer, and fasting are a powerful way to intercede before God on behalf of our nation. The Church recommends this form of prayer for Lent, but even on the Fridays of the year to link us more closely to the suffering and death of the Lord in His Paschal Mystery. The Lord himself fasted and prayed for great things as he began His public ministry. And great things happened!

As you consider joining me next week, think too about what to fast from. Certainly, food is one thing; limiting ourselves to one simple meal and what it takes to maintain our health. But here’s another thing to consider: fast from your electronic devices, especially from cable news, internet, and social media platforms. Turn off cable news; turn off Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and whatever else there is that often sucks us into the endless spin on facts and reality that so polarizes our nation. If you do so, I think you may want to continue such a fast for a little longer! Trust me, it’s refreshing to let that all go. It helps mightily to draw yourself closer to God, who is our true end and goal!

Blessings,

Fr. David Mulholland

Pastor

REGISTER for Mass

We look forward to gathering together with you at the Table of the Lord. Registration for Mass is required, especially for the 9 AM Mass at St. Patrick Church to help us maintain social distancing.

TEMPORARY SCHEDULE CHANGES

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Livestreaming MASS

We livestream Mass at 9 AM on Sundays from Saint Patrick Church and school Mass at 9 AM a few Fridays each month. Subscribing to our YouTube Channel is not necessary to watch the Mass, however it allows you to set reminders to tune in and provides us with the option of livestreaming from a mobile device when we reach 1000 subscribers. We are so close!

Check-in on Facebook and invite your friends and family to watch and make your weekly offertory gift via Online Giving. [Keep scrolling to the bottom to find your parish link.]

The dispensation for Mass is still in effect.

CELEBRATING Kevin

Let's celebrate Kevin Lovejoy and his many years of service to our parish communities before his begins his new adventures. Drive-thru our farewell celebration on September 27 after the 9 AM mass in front of St. Patrick Church. You'll have an opportunity to say thank you while social distancing!

We're also inviting you to collaborate with us in a keepsake online and hard copy memory book! Include a special message, a favorite photo, a long letter— whatever you want. Click here to get started— https://www.newlywords.com/thank-you-kevin-lovejoy.

If you would like us to insert a message for you, we can do that too! Send an email to [email protected]. Submissions are due by September 25!

ADORATION is Back

Archbishop Etienne began Year of the Eucharist on the Feast of Corpus Christi for the Archdiocese of Seattle and asked us to spend this time pondering the true presence of Jesus's Sacred Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Read his pastoral letter, "The Work of Redemption."

Adoration resumes at St. Patrick Church on Mondays, 3:00 pm - 6:45 pm and Fridays, 9:45 am - 3:00 pm, except for the first Friday of each month when it will begin at 12 PM— after the 11 AM Mass and at Holy Cross Church on Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Click the parish links above to sign up!

Join Deacon Eric Paige with the Seattle Archdiocese Office of Marriage and Family Life for the presentation: Finding Calm in the Storm: Practical Ways to Find Peace at Home. It uses principles and practices from the Rule of St. Benedict to help busy families make small changes in their routines that really help provide peace at home. The presentation is free. Register to obtain the Join Zoom Link or to receive information about future presentations if you are unable to attend this one.

Students in grades 7 - 9 interested in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2021 are invited to fill out an interest form now! Class will begin in early October. Invite your friends to join you in preparing for this sacrament too.

Registration for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd [CGS] is open! CGS is an approach to faith formation for children ages 3 - 12. Our staff has been preparing the atrium to allow for social distancing. Your child will be able to come every other week. On the week your child is not in the atrium, we'll provide support for the Domestic Church with ideas for the home. For a glimpse into the atrium check out this quick read: CGS USA Bulletin Notes for September 2020.

ALPHA Online

Some people are hesitant to attend church, many are open to attending Alpha. Alpha runs on Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm via Zoom. It's not too late to join!

Reserve your appointment now! Although the reservation link offers a variety of vaccines, please sign up for the FLU SHOT only. All health forms must be completed online when you reserve an appointment. Bring photo ID and your insurance card to your appointment. Patients must be 3 years of age or older. Patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

A limited number of free immunizations are available if you do not have insurance. Email us to make arrangements.

Walk virtually with us and help the Tacoma-Pierce County Society of St. Vincent de Paul raise funds—and awareness—to aid our friends in need who are struggling with homelessness, hunger, overdue bills, and more during these difficult times. Together we can make a difference in the lives our neighbors.

It’s easy to sign up to walk or to make a doantion! Go to www.fopwalk.org and follow the prompts to register.

Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, extends a big thank you to everyone who has helped with the Building on Faith house and especially

to churches like ours who have coordinated group build days. As often happens, the house will not be finished in October as planned. The new projected completion date is mid-December. This gives us another opportunity to serve. Details coming soon.

An offertory collection basket is located at the back of the sanctuary during Mass for contactless giving. If you are unable to attend Mass in person, please mail in your gift or consider Online Giving, — Fr. David gives this way! It is safe and easy.

WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS & REFUGEES September 27

The Church has been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for them as they face many challenges; and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers. As the title for his annual message, the Holy Father has chosen “Forced like Jesus Christ to flee” to focus on the pastoral care of internally displaced people (IDPs). Download the Pope’s Message for the 2020 WDMR in the language of your choice.

Over 60 million American children have died through abortion. This Vigil of Prayer, fasting, and public witness has saved over 16,000 known lived since its inception in 2007. The fall campaign begins September 23 and runs through November 1.

Volunteers are needed for two hour shifts, one day a week, especially on Fridays to stand witness on the sidewalk in from the Cedar River Clinic, 1401-A Martin Luther King Jr Way in Tacoma. Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced. To sign up email [email protected].

Contacting members of Congress to ensure the Trump Administration honors its legal obligation to meaningfully consult with Congress about this year's refugee admissions level before September 30. Ask your representatives to urge the Administration to build back the refugee resettlement program by setting the goal at the historic average of 95,000 refugees allowed to be admitted this year. Learn More.

"Believe that St. Patrick School brings our children into the ever-present love of Jesus Christ, that our school delivers academic excellence, and that our school builds a community of responsible learners, critical thinkers and servant leaders."

The average gift to Annual Fund 2020 was $509 and 100% of our 260 school families participated. Believe that your support is as critical now as it has ever been; as always we strive for full participation from our school families and hope to exceed our financial goal of $190,000 with the support of our parish community!

Ready to make your gift? DONATE today! Did you know that after you make our gift you can set up a personal fundraising page to invite friends and family to support Catholic education?