News - December 2018 RSS Feed

My column for Inland Catholic gives me a compelling reason to revisit these days of pilgrimage. What did I see? What did I feel? What does it mean? For TLW of December, come with me to Bethlehem.

México es un país lleno de cultura y tradiciones y no hay momento en el año más evidente que Diciembre. El país entero celebra desde el 3 de Diciembre hasta el 6 de Enero muchas fiestas tradicionales católicas. Ahora voy a contarles una pequeña reseña de los días festivos en Diciembre y, también, la que celebramos en Enero.

Every year of their childhood on the Feast of St. Nicholas, Dec. 6th, my friend Rebecca’s children awoke to a stack of rectangular wrapped gifts next to their shoe.  St. Nicholas always brought them books. On Christmas we celebrate the Word Made Flesh. Why not savor beautiful words from great stories during this Advent and Christmas season to prepare your heart—and the hearts of those in your family—to receive the Word with joy?

 Sixteen-month-old Jax is sitting up proudly in the community vegetable garden. He has a big smile on his face because, while he hasn’t quite mastered walking, he’s learned to crawl around quickly in this big open space. A few steps away his dad, James, keeps a watchful eye while he picks vegetables. 

I am suggesting that you take some time to recall as far back as you can how giving became part of your life. The Christmas season offers an ideal period to pray about giving as you draft a spiritual memoir, a resource that will provide context and comfort because it came from within you.

In 1625, a young French Jesuit, Father Jean de Brébeuf, ventured to New France to begin his work as a missionary to the first nations there. St. Jean de Brébeuf is known today as one of the North American martyrs. Part of the legacy of St. Jean is Jesous Ahatonhia (Jesus Is Born) — also known as “The Huron Carol” — which he wrote in 1643 in the Huron language to teach the people of the New World how Christ came to save mankind. It is the oldest Christmas carol of North America. The carol not only embodies Christ’s timeless invitation to all, but there is a traceable ribbon of history from its sainted author to the Church in eastern Washington. 

A program for couples with marriages in distress will be held at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center in Spokane on Feb. 15-17, 2019.  

4TH ANNUAL YOUTH RETREAT FOCUSES ON THEOLOGY OF THE BODY

What can we do to enable and encourage natives of Guatemala to live healthy, fulfilled and spiritual lives in their communities in the Guatemala Highlands? St. Joseph Parish, Colbert has found that supporting our diocesan missionary efforts in Guatemala is one answer: helping those in most need. 

The following clergy have new assignments: Fr. Michael Venneri, Deacon Daniel Glatt, Fr. Eugene Tracy, Fr. David Kruse and Fr. Jose Luis Hernandez.

Una de las figuras centrales durante el tiempo de Adviento y de Navidad es, por supuesto, la Santísima Virgen María. Celebramos a María en la Liturgia de la Misa en las fiestas de la Inmaculada Concepción y de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students, or FOCUS, is increasingly well known as one of the bright stars of the new evangelization. Recent college graduates trained to be evangelists partner with campus ministers to go out on campus and make disciples.

Father George Haspedis died peacefully on November 3, 2018. He had been a Catholic priest for 62 years. He was born and raised in Spokane and attended Sacred Heart Grade School and St. Edwards' Seminary.

Sister Marie Weber, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, died on September 29, 2018, in Los Angeles, California, in the 69th year of her religious life.

One of the central figures during the seasons of Advent and Christmas is, of course, the Blessed Virgin Mary. We celebrate Mary in the liturgy with the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Gospel of Luke calls our attention to the visitation of our Blessed Mother to her cousin Elizabeth and the Christmas readings highlight Mary's central role as the mother of our savior.

Diocese Gathers Lay Liturgical Ministers for Training

I keep being told that I “need friends.” I don’t know that I do. I have enough people in my life (and more than enough stuff to keep me busy) that I don’t think that I need “another thing.”