Bob Jensen

Concerns and Hopes Generated from Parish Listening Sessions

About 160 parishioners participated in our six listening sessions regarding the proposed draft of our parish family. This family would include St. Barbara, Black Diamond; Sacred Heart, Enumclaw; and St. Aloysius, Buckley together with St. John the Baptist. The greatest concern seems to be the geographical distance. One of the hopes is having greater diversity. Many of the concerns centered on things we do not yet know. We do not know how many priests will be assigned to this family. There will be at least two, possibly three. There is no one archdiocesan blueprint on how this will work or what it will look like. Each family, on the local level, will make those decisions. The major issues these families will have to discern are:

• how we gather people for the celebration of Mass and the other sacraments;
• how we foster vibrant communities where we accompany one another on this journey of faith;
• how we form disciples and educate our children in the faith while continuing our adult formation as well;
• how do we reach out to those in need and bring others the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The founding members of our parish did this some 33 years ago. I believe there is excitement, and there is energy in forming something new. This will be a long process of discernment for us, taking up to three years. But I hope there will be some of that excitement and energy that gave birth to this faith community.

All of the concerns, hopes, and other comments have been sent to the Archdiocese. The Oversight Committee guiding this process, together with the Presbyteral Council, will consider all the feedback. Archbishop Etienne will announce the final configuration of these parish families in early 2024. They take effect on July 1, 2024.

Let us hold all in prayer during this time.

Embrace the Pope’s Missions with “Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move” on World Mission Sunday, October 22! Today, Pope Francis echoes the universal call of our Baptism – to be Christ’s witnesses to the world. As we gather with global Catholics on this World Mission Sunday, our prayers and contributions to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith bolster the Pope’s missions, enabling:

• Over 844,000 catechists to share the faith
• 258,540 religious sisters to tend to families and children
• 38,140 seminarians to journey towards the priesthood
• Education for 26,000,000 children
• Medical assistance in 12,000 clinics
• Comfort in 8,750 homes for the orphaned and elderly

By supporting this cause, we truly live out the call to be the spark that transforms lives. May your prayers and gifts create ripples of love and transformation. Thank you for your missionary zeal! Donate at World Mission Sunday: archseattle.org/give-serve/world-mission-sunday-donation/

How to Build a Culture of Life

Read the full version at respectlife.org/culture-of-life Watching the news and reading the headlines, we may feel helpless seeing the heartbreaking lack of respect for human life. How do we respond? Changing the culture is a process of conversion that begins in our own hearts. When we encounter Christ, experience His love, and deepen our relationship with Him, we become more aware of our own immeasurable worth and that of others. His unchanging love is the source of our God-given dignity, which, therefore, cannot be taken away. When someone is facing great trials, we need to walk with them on their journey, intercede for them, and be open to sharing Christ’s love, however He directs. We simply need to follow where He leads.1

Top Reasons to Oppose Assisted Suicide. Read the full version at respectlife.org/reasons-against-assisted-suicide. Some polls indicate that the public is receptive to assisted suicide. But the same polls show that people’s views shift when they learn about its dangers – especially the dangers for those who are poor, elderly, disabled, or without access to good medical care. Consider that, in Oregon and California, some patients’ health insurance offered to pay for assisted suicide, but not treatment. And in states where assisted suicide is legal, often no psychiatric evaluation or treatment is required. Additionally, assisted suicide fosters discrimination by creating two classes of people: those whose suicides we spend millions of dollars to prevent and those whose suicides we assist and treat as a positive good.1

What to Do When a Friend is Considering Abortion. Read the full version at respectlife.org/l-o-v-e. When a woman is facing a difficult pregnancy, the reaction of the first person she tells tends to set the tone for her decision-making. How do we respond in a loving way that is life-affirming for both her and her baby? First, prioritize listening over speaking. Ask her about her feelings, thoughts, values, beliefs, and wants. When her story is fully shared, it is your turn to provide factual information, in a loving and caring way. Encourage her. Help her set goals that extend beyond her due date to help her see life beyond her pregnancy. Reassure her that she is not alone, and provide practical support. Pray with her, offering Christ’s love at a crucial life-saving and life-defining moment.1

 

1 This is a summary of a USCCB Respect Life Program article by the same name and is reprinted with permission. © 2019, USCCB, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.