October 5, 2025

Dear Friends,
As we continue our journey through the Partners in the Gospel process, it is vitally important to stay focused on what Pope Benedict XVI referred to as the three main purposes of the Church. This focus is of special importance as we deal with the complexity in our world, nation, church, and family lives. Let me briefly add some comments about these three main purposes in our life as the NE Seattle Catholic Community.
Vatican II taught that the source and summit of our faith is the Eucharist. When and where we gather for weekend Mass is a work in progress as we seek to offer a wide range of times and places to serve our four parish communities. Since we began our life as a family of parishes, there have been numerous suggestions that we offer an opportunity for a Sunday evening Mass that would appeal to families, teenagers, and young adults. As I mentioned in June, we plan to offer a Sunday Mass at 5:00 pm, beginning January 4^th, at Assumption Church, which is jointly owned by all four parishes. It will also be the base for our OCIA and Confirmation programs that serve all four communities. The trade-off in offering a new Mass time is the need to drop one of our already scheduled Masses. After much consultation, we will be dropping the 5:00 pm Mass at St. Catherine in January and encouraging those who regularly attend that Mass to join the people of Assumption and St. Bridget who gather for the 5:00 pm Mass at OLL. As always, everyone is welcome wherever and whenever we offer Mass.
The second purpose of the church flows from its worship, which is to proclaim the good news of God’s love for everyone. That is at the heart of the faith formation opportunities we offer to our children, youth, adults, and those interested in joining the church. Our sacramental prep programs for first reconciliation, eucharist, confirmation, and initiation for adults and children have begun, but there is still time to enroll for those who are interested.
Last but certainly not least is our care for the poor. Thanks to those who spoke last weekend and encouraged us to support our shared outreach ministry through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. One other aspect of poverty is those who deal with serious illness or injury. Please take note of the flyer in today’s bulletin and Weekly Word, which outlines how the church provides care for the sick.
Blessings of peace, 
Fr. William Heric, Pastor