Dear Friends in Christ, The academic year is ending for schools in the area, including our three parish schools. I want to take the opportunity to offer my thanks to all our faculty, staff, and parent volunteers who make our schools such vibrant and faith-filled learning communities. Special thanks to our principals, Kathleen Conklin (ASB), Kate Orizotti (OLL), and Kathy Cox (St.C), for their excellent leadership of our schools. Congratulations and best wishes as well to our recent graduates. Continue reading...

Dear Friends in Christ, This weekend, we celebrate the great solemnity of Pentecost, which brings the Easter Season to a formal close. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit we celebrate commemorates the birth of the church of Jesus Christ, and our call in the present moment to allow the Spirit to empower us to renew the face of the earth with the Lord’s mercy, compassion, and love. Continue reading...

Dear Friends in Christ, Two important anniversaries occur this week that are worth noting. The first is the formal celebration on May 31 of a special Mass commemorating the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Church in Western Washington. Officially known now as the Archdiocese of Seattle, this milestone reminds us that we belong to a large and diverse history of Catholic faith with a mission to witness to the love of Christ to all in our region.

Our Camillus ministers are specially trained lay volunteers who work with the hospital chaplains at Seattle Children’s Hospital to serve the spiritual needs of Catholic children and their families. We visit the hospital regularly to bring Christ’s healing presence to those in need through the Sacrament of the Eucharist, prayers, and a listening ear. The experience for the ministers is uplifting and spiritually fulfilling.

Whether you're looking to prepare for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, or becoming Catholic through OCIA, we're here to walk with you on the journey. Fill out this quick form, and a member of our NE Seattle Catholic Community team will contact you with more information!

Join us on the second Wednesday of each month for lively conversation, light refreshments, and good company. All are welcome from the NE Seattle community! Next gathering: Wednesday, June 11 at 11:00 AM, St. Bridget Parish Hall Come for the conversation, stay for the community!

Honor your father or other remarkable man with a "spiritual bouquet". Have a Special Intention Novena said in his honor for the following: father, father-in-law, grandfather, husband, uncle, stepfather, friend, son, or son-in-law, or any remarkable man in your life. Remember your loved one in a special way by including him in a Novena of Masses.

Our NE Seattle Catholic Community is providing meals for Tent City 3 and Tent City 4 this summer. We need your help to deliver food on the following dates: Tent City 3: June 8 & July 13 (5:00 - 6:00 PM) Tent City 4: June 22 & July 27 (5:00 - 5:30 PM) Please sign up via the links in the Weekly Word, on our website, or in the bulletin. Addresses can be found in the SignUp Genius. Thank you for your support!

Dear Friends in Christ, The following quote is attributed to the philosopher Aristotle. “We are what we repeatedly do…excellence is not an act, but a habit.” In other words, excellence isn't this thing you do once; it’s a way of living. We try to teach our children the importance of developing good habits in their speech and actions in school, sports, and other activities that form the character of their lives. That includes the vitally important virtues of faith, hope, and love that shape their hearts and minds as followers of Christ.

All are invited on Monday, June 9, 2025, 5:45 - 8:00 PM to learn more about Social Justice activities in our parish family. We'll meet in St. Catherine of Siena Parish Hall (814 NE 85th St.) What we will talk about: · How can we best live out the social teachings of Jesus in our parish family? Mission Statement & Organization · What’s going on currently? · What might we like to see happening in the 2025-26 year?

Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle is the newest Catholic high school in our Archdiocese, providing students from families with limited means a college-prep Catholic Jesuit education and real-world job experience through its Corporate Work Study program. Students work one day a week at local businesses, earning most of their tuition and gaining real-world career skills. We are seeking mission-aligned business leaders to hire student associates this fall. Continue reading...

Dear Friends in Christ, The Roman Catholic Church and many others around the world continue to rejoice at the election of Pope Leo XIV, our new “Pontiff,” which means bridge builder. In his opening blessing, our new holy father said the following:

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Help with our Havana Nights Auction - May 16 at St. Bridget's.

Help with Coffee and Donut Hour!

Join Catholics at St. James Cathedral in a collective cry of lament during this special Mass marking the 5th anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. We will pray and reflect together as we recommit ourselves to working for an end to the sin of racism. Father Michael G. Ryan, Pastor of St. James Cathedral, Presider

May is PREPARES Baby Drive!!! In May, we honor the Blessed Mother and celebrate Mother’s Day! Our four-parish church family is doing just that with our May Baby Drive to restock the PREPARES headquarters Baby Boutique at St. Edwards and the Christ the King baby closet. Our most needed items are: baby wipes; diapers sizes 5,6,7; clothing sizes 18 mo. To 5T. Other diaper sizes and clothing sizes are always needed as well. Also, diaper bag backpacks are appreciated by new moms. We are unable to accept car baby seats. All four parishes will have PREPARES donation sites in the parish narthex. Our wonderful PREPARES volunteers will deliver the donations to the baby closets. PREPARES in our state just celebrated 10 years of ministry! PREPARES has grown to 197 parishes assisting parents in need during pregnancy and the first five years of their children’s lives. None of this would be possible without the generous donations of parishes like ours. Please join us in May by supporting this pro-life, pro-family organization with your contributions to our baby closets. For questions about our Baby Drive or to volunteer, please contact: St. Bridget: Judy Curran, jcurran2@msn.com; Mary Jo Gasparich, maryjogaparich@gmail.com Assumption: Stephanie Read, walkerread@comcast.net Our Lady of the Lake: Mary Margaret Brown: mmbrown@hotmail.com St. Catherine: Katie Fleming, kjfleming1239@gmail.com

Esperanza Fiesta May 17th, 6 PM St Catherine's Victoria Hall! Fun and fundraiser supporting the youth service trip to Tijuana this summer. Enjoy an evening celebrating Mexican culture, including food and drinks, a mariachi band, piñata for the kids, and we are excited to welcome back the Herencias Mexicanas dancers! $20 adults, $10 kids 12 and under. If you have questions, contact Katie Fleming kjfleming1239@gmail.com

Join us for a Holy Hour of Taizé Adoration at St. Catherine of Siena Church on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This meditative service features the beautiful and contemplative music of Taizé — simple, prayerful songs that invite everyone to sing together. It’s a peaceful opportunity for reflection and quiet connection with God in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcome.

Dear Friends in Christ, As I write this, the conclave to elect a new pope begins tomorrow. So, as you read this on Friday, we very well may be saying “Habemus Papam. We have a Pope!” If so, let us unite in praying for our new holy father. If we are still waiting for an election, let us trust that the Holy Spirit will provide the church with the shepherd it needs. Continue reading...