Anointing Mass with Senior Luncheon
Bible Study
Online Bible Study is reflections on the Sunday Readings written by parishioners for our parishioners. This is a great way to feel connected to our community through communal reading and reflection. By becoming intimately familiar with the Sunday’s Gospel, your experience at Mass will be more prayerful and fruitful. The Online Bible Study is self-directed and can be accessed at a time convenient to you. Studying and praying with the Bible allows you to bring Christ alive in your head and heart. Click here to join us. Pastor’s 3 Week Bible Study begins in Advent and is meant to give insight into the Gospel for this year’s lectionary cycle. Introduction to the New Testament is an academic introduction to the structure and themes found in the New Testament. It will look at the historical context, theological themes of the gospels, and the epistles of Paul, John, Peter, and James. While the primary approach is academic, there will be small group sharing and introduction to praying with the scriptures. Questions? Contact Theresa Lukasik theresal@
Annual Catholic Appeal
Annual Catholic Appeal—A Gift that Keeps Giving-- THANK YOU for contributing to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). The ACA gives St. Joseph Parish an opportunity to support the work of the wider church in Western Washington - the education of seminarians, support of retired priests and women religious, the work of Catholic Community Services, multicultural ministries, and so much more. Through this one gift, each of us and all of us embrace those whom the rest of the world so often overlooks. This year, the St. Joseph Parish assessment for the ACA is $151,738. A very significant amount, reflective of the generosity already shown in this Parish. While it is important to note that if we do not raise this amount through the ACA campaign we must make up the difference through our ordinary income, our hope is that this community will show itself ready to help both the local and the larger Church. Our witness, so important to Catholics throughout this region, relies upon each person's willingness to act as part of this community. To make your ACA gift directly to the Seattle Archdiocese, donate online HERE: or submit your completed ACA envelope in the basket during Mass. To all who have given to the ACA in the past, and today, THANK YOU! **Please note any amount over this will be returned to St. Joseph and will be designated to improve, and hopefully expand, the restroom facilities in the Parish Social Hall.
Easter Reflections
Here are the wonderful lay reflections we have enjoyed this Easter season! April 7/8 - Sam Kennedy April 14/15 - Dottie Farewell April 27/28 - Ann Alokolaro May 5/6 - Frances Chikahisa May 12/13 - Tricia Scott May 19/20 - Julie Tilghman
Welcome to St. Joseph Parish
the Jesuit Parish in Seattle
Dear Companions & Friends, Peace of Christ!
Whenever the early Jesuits would enter a new town, they would look for the busiest corner, and there they would set up shop. Unlike older, monastic orders, they did not seek mountaintops or secluded alcoves to set themselves aside in prayer; rather, these followers of Ignatius sought crossroads, believing that here—amid the hustle and bustle of ordinary life, amid the glorious racket of God’s creatures—the surprising grace of God was most truly to be found.
St. Joseph Parish, in the spirit of those first Jesuits, likewise seeks to live at the crossroads: at those points where the hum and buzz of the world meets the quiet of the Spirit, where the awesome beauty of liturgical worship encounters the chaotic longings of the young, where the pain of war and poverty are met by the compassion and love of a diverse community. A communion of opposites, the living Church at St. Joseph seeks to engage the world in the dialogue of Christ, and to live faithfully the call of our brother Jesuit, Pope Francis, who asks us to “come out of ourselves in order to go to meet others, to go toward the outskirts of existence, to be the first to take a step toward our brothers and sisters, especially those who are the most distant, those who are forgotten, those who are most in need of understanding, comfort, and help.”
In our Mission Statement, “Ignited by the Eucharist to love and serve,” St. Joseph declares that we are women and men on fire through the presence of Christ in our midst, and committed to follow Christ in the active love and personal service of all of our sisters and brothers. Coming from various places and traditions, from a variety of social, economic, and political backgrounds, we have found our way to this crossroads, to this place of God’s Holy Spirit. Some come seeking greater depth in their life of prayer; some, greater understanding of the faith they profess; some desire a values-based education for their children; some, a place of beauty and respite in a difficult world; some seek to do justice with others; some do not yet know what they seek, but come from habit, or tradition, or an inchoate longing in their heart. Yet, all who come with hope, are touched by the grace of the One who loved us first.
Placed on the crossroads through its history and its people, St. Joseph Parish welcomes every pilgrim and passerby, every sinner and everyone longing for sanctity. Whether you come to us for a while or abide with us for a lifetime, whether you explore us on the web or stand with us at the table of Eucharist, we welcome you, and bless you, and open our door to you, for the greater glory of God.
Yours in the Lord,
John D. Whitney, S.J.
Pastor
