Dear Parishioners,

It’s always good to pay attention to the responsorial psalm at Mass. It’s tucked right between the readings and is one of the few pieces set to music these days. As expected with the Psalms, it sometimes contains gems of meaning. This Sunday, it seems to express my heart these days: “Give the Lord glory and honor.”

Despite the ever-changing pandemic, politics, culture, civil unrest, family, and friends, if at the end of the day, and even in the course of the day, we can give glory and honor to the Lord, we will have had a successful day. To paraphrase an old monk, “Grumbling and complaining are the devil’s work, but doxology is his downfall.” Doxology means giving glory and praise to God. The most common doxology we Roman Catholic’s use is praise to the Trinity: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was, in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.” The wisdom of the old monk is that when we catch ourselves grumbling, immediately give praise to the Lord; give Him glory and honor. And the evil of that moment will flee!

The wisdom of the monk also recognizes that despite the situation, in all things, no matter how bad it might be, God may be praised. That’s certainly true in parish ministry as well. I doubt things will ever get “back to normal” at the parishes or the school. And that’s ok. It’s important for us, through faith, to read the signs of the times and ask the Lord what He desires for us to do with the present moment. And then trust Him. That’s been my approach for the past few months. In doing so, I have heard the Lord pressing in and inviting me to not be discouraged despite some of the difficult changes that are needed in our ministry. All of those challenges are giving way to new opportunities. For that, we give the Lord glory and honor.

You know, the summer before last, we introduced the theme of how we need to go from maintenance to mission. Well, these times of the pandemic have made that a quick reality. In many ways, we have pivoted well to become more mission-oriented. During the quarantine, we focused on the individual needs of people and parishioners. Since we could not gather together for Mass, we did deploy the church to serve in unique ways. The school went remote, as did the youth group and the Alpha sessions. People were assisted as calls came in. Safeguards were put in place for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to take place in the fall. For all of that, we give the Lord glory and honor.

Our priority in livestreaming the Sunday Mass and other special events helped us to focus on the primary importance of the liturgical celebration as a foundation of our Catholic life. The Sunday Mass, while an obligation, is a vital reality to our individual and communal life. Without the Eucharist, we are nothing. But through God’s grace, He has provided the ways for us to celebrate, whether in person or at home. Our staff has also pitched into work in a “new normal” in terms of transitioning from what they once did to what is now needed for the good of the parishes and parishioners. I am grateful for everyone’s cooperation and good attitude as we look ahead to what parish ministry will be like. For that, we give the Lord glory and honor.

Going forward, we have taken steps to reduce what I call the “administrative footprint” of our parishes, to be more focused on ministry opportunities that touch people’s lives and hearts. Ministry will be ever more centered on the faith needs of individuals and families; helping us to place God first in all things and trusting Him for everything. Of course, we always begin and end with the celebration of Mass. So, here’s a bit of news. You will see that beginning on November 1, the 7:00 p.m. Sunday Mass will resume. You will be able to register for that Mass online as you do our other Masses. However, it will only be open to all people on three weekends a month, because beginning on October 25th, and on the fourth Sunday of each month, the 7:00 p.m. Mass will be attended by our youth group and Confirmation group only. That’s because space is limited. We will also have an opportunity for adoration and confessions for our youth group each month. Also, the Sunday morning Mass at Saint Rita of Cascia will move from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. beginning November 1st; corresponding to setting your clocks back. So Saint Rita folks will get an extra half hour that Sunday! For all that, we give the Lord glory and honor.

More changes and additions will be coming. Until then, please keep our parishes and school in your prayers. We can’t do what we are doing without everyone’s prayers. And we are doing amazing things! I am grateful to you for your faithfulness in all things. For that, I give the Lord glory and honor!

Blessings,

Pastor

REGISTER for Mass

It is wonderful to see everyone returning to Mass. The Sunday 9:00 am Mass at St. Patrick Church is regularly at full COVID-19 capacity. In order to ensure the safety and health of all parishioners:

If possible, attend a liturgy other than the 9 AM Mass at St. Patrick. The Saturday 5 pm Vigil and the Sunday 11 am Mass have plenty of room, as do the liturgies at the parishes of Holy Cross and St. Rita of Cascia. But don't forget to register for those as well! We encourage you to continue attending and thank you for understanding.

The dispensation for Mass is still in effect. VIEW current Mass times.

Livestreaming MASS

Subscribing to our YouTube Channel is not necessary to watch the Mass, however it allows you to set reminders to tune in and provides us with the option of livestreaming from a mobile device when we reach 1000 subscribers. We are so close! Less than 75 subscribers to go!

Check-in on Facebook and invite your friends and family to watch and make your weekly offertory gift via Online Giving. [Scroll to the bottom to find your parish link.]

If you would like to added names to the Book of the Deceased in preparation for All Souls Day, please write the names on one of the envelopes in the back of the church and place in the collection. Names will be written into the book for you and the Book will be displayed throughout November. Please remember that any names you submitted over the past three years are already written in the book.

October is the Month of the Rosary

Join us as we pray the rosary at 4:30 pm each Saturday in October. Bring your rosary. If you don't have one, we'll provide one for you.

Please wear a mask, sign in when you arrive and practice social distancing in the pews.

Do you want to transform your work, your marriage, your family, and your life, but don’t have time? Are you looking for the quickest, surest, and easiest way to holiness, but don’t know where to begin? In our hectic day and time, Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa knew that the quickest way to be transformed into a saint is through a relationship with Our Blessed Mother, Mary.

Join us on November 5 as we begin a 33-day preparation for Marian Consecration, using the book 33 Days to Morning Glory, by popular author and speaker Father Michael Gaitley, MIC. For six weeks, we’ll individually read about and reflect on four great Marian giants: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Pope John Paul II. They’ll teach us the secrets to drawing closer to the Heart of Jesus through the Heart of Mary.

In weekly meetings, we’ll share insights within our small group and watch a 30-minute video by Father Gaitley which will bring our individual reflections and group experience into a clear and liveable focus. If you’re looking for a simple way to be spiritually renewed, develop a deeper relationship with Our Merciful Savior, and grow in holiness, join us for the 33 Days to Morning Glory Small Group Retreat.

You will need the book 33 Days to Morning Glory to participate in the retreat. Order the book through the parish or shop order online at www.ShopMercy.org/HAPP. The book is also available at all Catholic bookstores.

Contact retreat coordinator, Leslie Gasper before October 29 

Lroakey74@gmail.com |509-537-7697

Archbishop Etienne began Year of the Eucharist on the Feast of Corpus Christi for the Archdiocese of Seattle and asked us to spend this time pondering the true presence of Jesus's Sacred Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Read his pastoral letter, "The Work of Redemption." Join us for Adoration. Click the parish links below to sign up and keep watch for an hour.

Our podcast/book study gives the listener/reader an opportunity to learn about the spirituality of the young child and the spiritual truths that we can learn from the youngest among us. This book/podcast study is for everyone, not just those with young children.

Together, we will discover how living the way of the child invites us, as adults, into a place of contemplation, peace, and joy.

The study is on the first 35 pages of the book The Good Shepherd and the Child; a Joyful Journey and the coinciding podcasts, episodes #15-18, from The Good Shepherd and the Child Podcast. Join us.

Meeting ID: 910 3947 1459

This weekend, we celebrate World Mission Sunday. Pope Francis is inviting the entire church to support priests, religious and lay leaders around the world as they bring the Gospel to thosemost in need. Please keep the Pope’s missions in your prayers and be generous in your support of next week’s collection. Use the giving link below that corresponds with your parish.

An offertory collection basket is located at the back of the sanctuary during Mass for contactless giving. If you are unable to attend Mass in person, please mail in your gift or consider Online Giving, — Fr. David gives this way! It is safe and easy.

If you have already made your gift - THANK YOU! If not, please consider making a gift this year. Many of our parish households have not responded yet.

No gift is too small. If you’re unsure what to give, please consider a gift of $1 a day or $365 or more. The average gift is $417. Make your gift online, use the pledge envelope you received in the mail or call in your gift at 800-809-4921.

Register online to vote before October 26.

After October 26 you can register to vote in person at your county election office.

and are aligned with Church teachings. When considering political candidates' views on public policies, we recommend reading Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). For more information on public policy issues and guidance from the bishops, visit the Washington State Catholic Conference website [wacatholics.org]

The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC), comprised of the bishops of Washington state, recommends you check "reject" on Referendum 90 (R-90) on the fall ballot. R-90 gives us the opportunity to reject the Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) law that was passed in March. Also called the Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) law, Senate Bill 5395 mandates that all schools provide CSHE from kindergarten through 12^th grade. Curriculum guidelines are not aligned with Church teachings, and the CSHE law prevents local communities and school boards from fully protecting their own values and determining local policy.  Click here for more information about what Catholics should know about R-90.

Over 60 million American children have died through abortion. This Vigil of Prayer, fasting, and public witness has saved over 16,000 known lives since its inception in 2007. Volunteers are needed now through November 1 for two hour shifts, especially on Fridays to stand witness on the sidewalk in from the Cedar River Clinic, 1401-A Martin Luther King Jr Way in Tacoma. Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced. To sign up email Tacoma40DaysForLife@gmail.com.

2020 has been a most challenging year. St. Patrick School has risen to the challenge but we need every parish family to contribute so that we can deliver our high caliber, Christ-centered education to as many students as possible.

"Believe that St. Patrick School brings our children into the ever-present love of Jesus Christ, that our school delivers academic excellence, and that our school builds a community of responsible learners, critical thinkers and servant leaders."

The average gift to Annual Fund 2020 was $509 and 100% of our school families participated. Parishioners comprised 40% of the gifts made to the annual fund. Believe that your support is as critical now as it has ever been; as always we strive for full participation from our school families and hope to exceed our financial goal of $190,000 with the support of our parish community!

Ready to make your gift? DONATE today! After you make your gift you can set up a personal fundraising page to invite friends and family to support Catholic education.