July 28, 2024

Dear Friends in Christ,
I am deeply grateful to all of you for your prayers and support as I gathered with my family this past week to say goodbye to our beloved mother Patty who died on July 17. Her passing was a peaceful close to a long life and the beginning of her eternal life with all the angels and saints. We will miss her and think of her every day and always remain so very glad for her loving presence in our lives. 
Mom was a big supporter of my ministry as a priest for the past 43 years. She would often participate in Mass wherever I was assigned, most recently at St. Bridget’s where she was a semi-regular presence at the Sunday morning Mass there. She enjoyed seeing the many young families with children in the parish and also having coffee with a regular group of senior citizens after Mass. Mom attended several of the parish auctions at St, Bridget’s, as well as many of the plays and musicals put on by ASB School, including this past spring’s production of “The Sound of Music” which featured her oldest son’s memorable performance as the Archbishop of Salzburg. The last time she attended Mass was on my first Sunday at OLL as we began our family of parishes in northeast Seattle. Afterward, we ate pancakes at the Bryant Corner Café, a neighborhood favorite.
My memories of Mom remind me of how precious the gift of life is. As much of the focus in our family of parishes is directed to evangelizing our youth through among other things the ministries of our three schools, I hope we also always celebrate and cherish the presence of senior citizens in our communities. Their wisdom, experience, and witness of faith are the foundation upon which we build the future of the church. So please take the opportunity as I often did with my mother, to say “I love you” to the elders in your lives. Let them know how important they are to you! Give thanks to God for their presence in your lives.
Fr. William Heric, pastor
Holy Mary Mother of God…pray for us!
St. Bridget of Kildare…pray for us!
St. Catherine of Siena…pray for us!
Live Jesus in our hearts…forever!