Bob Jensen

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ this weekend we hear Mark’s account of the Last Supper. Jesus identified himself with the bread and wine he shared with his apostles. He knew that partaking of meals would be a perpetual tradition they would be involved with for the rest of their lives. He wanted them to remember him in a special way when they gathered together to share bread and drink wine. “Take it, this is my body.” “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” He wanted them and us to be nurtured for the journey. We are called to break ourselves open for others. Thanks for the many ways you are doing this in your families, for your schoolmates and work colleagues. Let’s pray that we will soon be fully gathered together again to share in the Eucharist.

This weekend we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the ways in which the Spirit inspires, guides, and strengthens us to live as Christian disciples. Especially in the later weeks of Easter Time, we have anticipated the advent of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples and in the Church. Now we hear the account of the first Pentecost, when, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Good News of Christ was shared with people from throughout the whole world. Those who heard the disciples  speaking were amazed and astonished at the power of God. May that same Spirit “melt the frozen, warm the chill” (Pentecost sequence) of the COVID period we have been through so that we may give others hope of a grand future with our God.

As we celebrate the feast of the Ascension of the Lord this weekend we are reminded that Jesus is counting on us to continue his work today. Before he ascended in glory to the Father, Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” The latter part of our parish mission statement proclaims: “and the diversity of our gifts is used to answer Christ’s call to proclaim and live the gospel.” Our three priorities for the last few years echoes this: “Gather in God’s name, Grow in God’s time, Go in God’s Spirit.” In other words, Jesus did not have a plan B. It all depended and depends on his disciples and us to build up his kingdom in our world today. With his help may we do it.

Thanks to all of you who have contributed toward the Annual Catholic Appeal which assists sixty some ministries in the Archdiocese of Seattle.  Our goal this year is $113,508 and we have gotten off to a good start in achieving our goal.  Everything over and above our goal goes to beautifying our restrooms in the church and the education center.

Happy Mother’s Day to all our women who are sharing in this most important ministry of parenting.  Your quiet (and not so quiet) resolve during this difficult COVID season has helped steer your family through its travails.  Thank you for all you do for your families and our parish family.  May the Lord bless you in every way.

 

We will be welcoming Fr. Bill McKee as our new pastor on July 1^st.  He is currently the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Federal Way.  He grew up in Longview, WA and was eight years behind me in the seminary.  Right now he is on sabbatical in Tucson, AZ and will be returning to the Northwest at the end of May.  He is immersing himself in Spanish and also the Strengthfinders program.  He is a quiet man, whose number one strength is Deliberative.  He likes to think things through.  He is attracted to our parish because of our emphasis on social outreach and advocacy.  He lives in Federal Way and will commute here for the time being.  I can’t think of a better pastor for our parish than Fr. Bill.  Please pray for him.