On Wednesday this past week, approximately 1,000 pastoral leaders gathered in Tacoma for a day of prayer and instruction in preparation for the public launch this weekend of Partners in the Gospel – a Pastoral – Strategic Planning initiative to help us re-envision and restructure the Archdiocese of Seattle. It Read more
Today has give me an opportunity to be with God’s people in several different parishes. Beginning at St. Therese for 8:30 Mass, I then celebrated 10:00 Mass at Immaculate Conception. From there, I had a tremendously unique experience to spend some time with our Ukrainian Greek Catholic family at Our Read more
Today’s Gospel begins: “When Jesus entered Capernaum,” (Matthew 8:5-11) It is a very accessible detail for us. Advent helps us prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ, who entered the world as the Son of God. Perhaps a helpful way for us to enter Advent is to allow Jesus to Read more
In his Letter to the Philippians, St. Paul says: “I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace”. This expresses well my own sentiments as a bishop and pastor, and the ongoing mission of the Church to be in close contact with our people. Read more
I was quite taken by the Prophet Amos in Sunday’s first reading: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, (Amos 6:1,4) Do you remember those early days of COVID when we went into to lockdown mode? I have vivid memories of my neighbors Read more
Happy Easter! I pray you experience the grace of new life that is ours in the Risen Christ! Please be assured of my deep gratitude to all our priests, deacons and liturgical ministers, choirs and volunteers who helped with all the liturgies during this Holy Week. I pray the celebration Read more
Last night the Archdiocese of Seattle gathered at St. James Cathedral to celebrate the Chrism Mass. What a beautiful celebration of faith and mission! You can read my homily below, or watch the video which is also included. Check back later for more photos (I hope!) Blessings upon each of Read more
Yesterday evening, members of the Black Catholic Advisory Circle (BCAC) hosted me for a lovely dinner and an opportunity to learn more about their work to serve the Black Catholics of the Archdiocese of Seattle. They are a very dedicated group of Catholics and energetic in helping their members and Read more
This past week I was fortunate to make it to a few more places for pastoral visits. Thursday evening I had dinner with seven of our priests in Northern Deanery. Thanks to Fr. Cody Ross for hosting us at Sacred Heart in Bellingham. I believe that was the sixth such Read more
This has been a grace-filled week in the Archdiocese of Seattle! Today, we celebrated the last of nine Rites of Election, formally calling over 1,000 people to receive the Easter Sacraments this coming Easter! This is such a beautiful celebration, and with each one celebrated this week, I received much Read more