Stepping deeper into community

Last week, Jerry Stanton shared his experience taking the leap into ministry. A guy who entered the church doors just before Mass and scooted out just after, he finally showed up at a grounds-keeping party (aka Caring for Our Common Home, aka Laudato Si’ at St. T). It reminded me of my own hesitation about joining the Spirit Choir at 8:30 Mass. I thought about it for three or four years before making the commitment. One of the best decisions I ever made.

Just as the Mass is about community, joining a ministry is about joining the community. You meet new people and work to achieve a common goal for the benefit of your parish community and beyond.

During our Stewardship season, let us take some time to look at our personal budgets as a spiritual exercise. I would invite you to look at where you spend your money and where your priorities are and make a financial commitment to St. Therese that reflects your priorities. As you can see from the collections data below, your parish needs your financial support! You can make a pledge Here. If you give through Pushpay, please go to the Pushpay app on your phone, choose “recurring” at the bottom of the screen, and edit your recurring gift.

I would like also to make a pitch for weekday Mass. Weekday Mass is now at 5:00 Thursdays. It is a very intimate Mass, usually attended by 2 – 4 parishioners. The homily is a faith-sharing discussion based on Woody’s comments on the readings. Y’all come! There’s plenty good room! And finally, it’s Black Catholic History Month! The Black Catholic Advisory Circle of the Seattle Archdiocese is hosting an evening of conversation, music and reflection this Sunday, November 14, 4:00 – 5:30 via Zoom. (See pg. 7.) You can register at www.//tinyurl.com/livingwitness2021. The guest speaker is Dr. Ansel Augustine of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana and Loyola University New Orleans. The Zoom meeting is followed by Mass that evening at 8:00 at the Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University.

Ministry Opportunities
Do you have expertise with online marketing? The Stewardship Commission is looking to put together a digital outreach team and could need your help! If you can serve, please contact John Russell at jvrussell85@gmail.com.

We also need photographers for parish outreach! If you are good with asking people if you can take their picture, your phone will take care of the rest. Contact Diane at paa@st-therese.cc.

To help run our livestream equipment, contact Nicole at nicoles@st-therese.cc. The livestream is not a nice to-do. It’s a must-do and Nicole needs your help!

Parish Collections
July 1, 2021 – November 11, 2021.….... $144,032
The budget….….                                       $130,000
Last year at this time….….                       $119,729