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A Letter from the Pastoral Coordinator
Dear Families,
We are now halfway through Lent. How is your Lenten journey coming along? During these 40 Days the Church encourages us to engage in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as a way to reflect, grow closer to God, and transform our lives. If you’ve been practicing these disciplines, I hope that you are beginning to see the fruits. If you haven’t yet engaged the way you would like too, there’s still plenty of time. This week, I would like to share some thoughts on fasting from Pope Francis to inspire us and keep us going on the second half of our Lenten journey.
Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and have trust in God. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
Imagine how our lives and our world would be if we could all do this! I know it’s a tall order but, maybe we can pick one or two to focus on as we prepare for Easter. I’m grateful to have you all as companions as we walk this journey together.
Peace, Jennifer Ibach jibach@stedwardparish.net
Stations of the Cross and Lenten Meals
All are invited to join us for weekly Stations of the Cross and Lenten Meals every Friday. We will pray the Stations of the Cross at 6pm in the Church and then share a Lenten, meatless meal in the Hall. Our four South Seattle Parishes will rotate hosting each week. Join us this Friday, March 28 at St. Paul and the following Friday, April 4 at St. Edward (bilingual English-Spanish). We provide guides to help you pray the Stations and reflect on the Passion of Jesus. Our priests are also available for individual confession during the Stations.
Refuge for the Weary: Co-Creating a Welcoming Community for Immigrants and Refugees
The Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center, led by IPJC’s Youth Action Team Internship, invites community members, advocates, and those impacted by immigration to gather for a powerful educational experience. We will witness the stories of those who have journeyed across borders in search of safety, opportunity, and belonging. Come and deepen your understanding of the real-world realities of immigration and the importance of solidarity. As part of our commitment to collective action, we will also be offering Know Your Rights training, an immigration policy briefing, followed by an invitation to action – a call for us to stand together in support of immigrant and refugee rights. Monday, March 31 from 6:30-8:30pm at St. Joseph Parish Hall (732 18th Ave E., Seattle, 98112).
Novena of Grace: Cultivating Seeds of Hope
All are invited to the Ignatian Spirituality Center’s annual Novena of Grace from April 1-April 9. Join in person or via livestream from 12:30-1:30pm on weekdays and 11am-12pm on the weekends. Journey with presenters Fr. Arturo Araujo, SJ, Anna Robertson, and Patrick Barredo as they take one hour a day of nice days to retreat amid daily life. Join for any or all nine days of beautiful music, scripture, inspiring preaching, reflection, and heartfelt prayer. To learn more, visit: https://www.ignatiancenter.org/novena-of-grace-2025
Last chance to register for the 4th Annual Day of Service
Although the deadline has passed, nine projects still have space (including our High School project at West Seattle Clothesline) so be sure to sign up by Friday to join us for the 4th Annual Day of Service on April 5. Make new friends, volunteer with your family, give back to the community and put your faith into action all is one day! Remember we offer drop-in projects to accommodate those who need a more flexible schedule. Drop by the St. George School Hall or Our Lady of Guadalupe Gym starting at 9am to “Craft for a Cause”. Register at https://app.formcrafts.com/31e6f0c3 For a full list of projects and times, go to https://olgseattle.org/day-of-service Projects with openings: Seattle Seafarers Center organizing donations, Santa Teresita clothing room creation, St. George Drop-in Projects, Tri-Parish Food Bank in Burlington, West Seattle Clothesline for High Schoolers, Pray the Rosary together at St. George, and Ronald McDonald House, Camp Second Chance and Plymouth Housing meals. Looking for service hours? Help us prepare craft supplies, set up at 12:30pm on April 4, or cleanup at 1pm on April 5. Contact Jennifer at jibach@stedwardparish.net
Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl: Nutritious Meals Help Children Grow Healy in Guatemala
All are invited to a celebration of diversity in our In Santa María Chiquimula, Guatemala, over half the community is affected by malnutrition. Amid rising food prices and job loss, Ana Belén and her husband were struggling to provide for their growing family. But they saw a ray of hope through their participation in a Catholic Relief Services’ program that helps them ensure their children are healthy and have the nutrition they need to thrive and play. Visit crsricebowl.org/week-3 to read this week’s Story of Hope.
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