MOSES TO THE PEOPLE, DEUTERONOMY 8:14B – 16A

A people in a “parched and waterless ground”? Sounds like the story of African Americans for the past 400 years. From slavery to the terrorism of Jim Crow, to the more subtle racism of the north, the land has been parched and waterless. Yet the African American churches have been true to our God and have sown the seeds of justice for the whole country.

The country is now in a crisis – a turning point – and now we have an opportunity to make it rain.

So what is the community of St. Therese to do?

Our Pastoral Council continues to re-invigorate our parish. Last Saturday the Council hosted a virtual leadership retreat. The retreat began a process of creating an action plan for the next six months. While this process was not completed last Saturday, I took away a few suggestions of what we could do to help:

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. 

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.