JESUS TO THE TWELVE, MATTHEW 10:27-28A

In the expanded quote in today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid” not once, not twice but three times! He knew that many would die for his name, and he is telling the disciples that dying is not the crucial issue; eternal life is. Fortunately, we do not have the same worry but yet we tend to be shy about proclaiming our faith. Don’t be! Proclaim it on the housetops!

With the roll of Black martyrs to the cause of American justice continuing to get longer, the country is at a turning point, and Father with the Pastoral Council and other parish leaders have published a letter in this bulletin and available on our website.

In part it says, “We pledge to act and be continuously vigilant against complicity, complacency, and silence in the face of racism, and we are committed to eradicating this sin forever.”

That’s a strong statement. We need to get busy. There are several things that you can do today:

Join the Social Justice Commission. The Commission has but three members. It needs at least five more. If there was ever a moment that St Therese needs a Social Justice Commission it is now! If you want to work for justice, email Trisha Tinsley at citizencoach@gmail.com.

Join or give to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. St. Vincent’s is desperately trying to keep people in their homes with rent support and utility bills. You can give to St Vincent by clicking on the link in the St Vincent article on the home page.

Volunteer with or give to Catholic Community Services. Our overflow shelter functions as a support to the St. Martin de Porres Shelter, a ministry of CCS. To increase social distancing, St. Martin’s is housing 1/10^th its capacity. Fifty percent of the staff of the shelter have come down with COVID-19; fortunately, no one has died. CCS also needs volunteers to help keep people in their homes.

Give to the Annual Catholic Appeal. The Appeal brings some equality to all members of the Church in Western Washington, and is currently supporting faith communities who are struggling due to the pandemic.

You can support the work of the Church of Western Washington by clicking on this link: Annual Catholic Appeal. If you have questions about the Appeal, please email me at jvrussell85@gmail.com

Finally, you can make a contribution online at st-therese.org and clicking on the “Donate Now” button or use the Push-Pay app on your phone. If you are giving through automatic transfers, please go onto your phone and download the Push-Pay app. When you get to “search for your church” enter “saint therese.” Be sure to send a note to Diane Figaro at paa@st-therese.cc so she can discontinue your automatic transfer through our current agent. Of course, checks are also accepted. The mailing address of the office is 3416 E. Marion Street, Seattle, 98122.