News - June 2023

Dear Friends in Christ, One of the trends in Catholic life in recent years is the steep decline of people who marry in the church. The “Current Reality Report” from the Partners in the Gospel plan indicates that in the last 10 years, there has been a 19% drop in the number of Catholics who celebrate the sacrament of marriage. We don’t have to look any further than our own parish to observe that decline. In the four years I have served as your pastor, there have been 4 weddings at St. Bridget’s and 2 parishioners who married in the chapel at Villa Academy across the street. This year 2023, we have one wedding scheduled at St. Bridget’s and that is for a couple who are not parishioners. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly had some influence on these numbers, but I think you see the reason for concern about this declining practice in our sacramental life. Continue reading...

July 9th is our next Second Sunday meal. Summer is busy for all volunteers so we've decided to simplify this month's meal and make it fried chicken (warm or cold), pasta salads, and other pre-made picnic-style food so please sign up to contribute or volunteer if you can. Continue reading...

Children going into 4th grade or older are eligible to become altar servers. Please contact Sarah Chopyak for more information. [email protected]

Our lost and found box is overflowing. Please swing by the lost and found table after Mass this weekend to see if you have lost any items. Unclaimed items will be donated next week. Thanks!

The final numbers are in and we were able to net over 146K at our parish auction last April 28. We had budgeted to make 70K, so the event was a massive success for St. Bridget’s! We look forward to using some of the funds for the new Program Coordinator staff person we hire. Thanks again to all who helped make the auction a source of great support to our parish community.

Due to the holiday, there will be no Adoration on Monday, July 3. In addition, the parish office will be closed on July 4 and there will be no Word and Communion service. The church will be open for private prayer from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Seeking coffee hour helpers for July - Help with set up, and serving during coffee hour. Please click to sign up.

Dear Friends in Christ, Thanks to all of you who participated in our recent “Synod Listening Sessions” which focus ed on people’s thoughts about the “Partners in the Gospel” planning process. I was present at the June 11th session to observe and listen to those in attendance. Here is a brief recap of what I heard. Continue reading...

St. Bridget’s is looking to hire a part-time Program Coordinator. Hours would be very flexible and likely vary from month to month with the ability to work partly from home. The role would include event planning and coordination, engaging new parishioners, recruiting and managing volunteers, and more. A lot of the work would be done in coordination with Amanda Cahill and Susie Lane. We have a very engaged and thriving parish and the work is very rewarding! Please contact Susie Lane – [email protected] or Amanda Cahill – [email protected] for more information.

Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic? Has a child over the age of seven who has not been baptized? Was baptized Catholic as a child, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist? We offer an opportunity to come together in a small group to learn more about our faith. Sessions focus on the teachings and experience of the Church and prepare individuals to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist during the Easter season. You are welcome to participate in the process with your questions, your insights and your faith story in a warm accepting setting. Classes will begin with the Pre-Inquiry in mid-July. For information please contact Alex Chopyak at [email protected]

Dear Friends in Christ, The week of June 18-22. I will be at Ocean Shores for the annual “Priest Days” convocation. This is the yearly opportunity for the priests of the archdiocese to gather together, for prayer, fellowship, and reflection on topics meant to help strengthen our service to the people of our local church. One of those topics is the Partners in the Gospel Strategic Planning Process that has begun this year. Continue reading...

First Communion Certificates from this year (2023) are ready for pick up. You can either get them after 9:30am Mass on Sunday or stop by the church office M-F between 9:30am-2:30pm. Any of our staff members can help hand this to you and will be in a basket on our office counter. Congratulations to all our First Communion Participants this year!

The YCP Seattle Chapter is hosting their next Networking Happy Hour! Tee off with us at the Highlands Golf Course in Tacoma. This will take place Wednesday, July 12 at 7pm. Members get a free drink. Scan the QR code to RSVP. Learn more about YCP at ycpseattle.org.

We are pleased to welcome the following new parishioners who joined St. Bridget Parish last month, we are so happy to have you as a part of our growing community! The Harness Family - Mikelle, Marcus & Gus Richart Schug and Sarah Eisenberg The Bigelow Family - Trevor, Cortney, Boden & Calvin The Adkins Llaurado Vila Family - Ryan and Elisenda

Temporary Mass Schedule Changes Next Week, June 19 - 22 Fr. Bill will be at Ocean Shores for Priest Days. In lieu of Daily Mass on Monday - Thursday we will be offering Service of the Word with Communion on those days. Fr. Bill will be back for the Friday 9:00 am Mass. Church is open as usual from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day.

Dear Friends in Christ, Graduation season is upon us and this weekend we will offer a blessing to all those graduating from 8th grade, high school, or college and beyond. It’s also a time to celebrate anniversaries for previous graduations in our life journey. I recently gathered with some classmates to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our graduation from St. Edward Minor Seminary in Kenmore. The celebration was at our old school which closed years ago but is now “The Lodge at St. Edward” a boutique hotel with a lovely lounge and restaurant open to the public. It’s located at St. Edward State Park, a wonderful place to take the family for hikes and recreation. It was my home for 8 years a long time ago.

We are looking for helpers on Sunday, June 11; Greeters at the Welcome/Name Tag Table and help with Coffee and Donuts. Please click to sign up.

The Blood of Christ Returns We are pleased to bring back the Blood of Christ cup to our weekend Masses, paused during the Covid pandemic. Beginning next weekend, June 10 and 11, we will offer one station during holy communion at weekend Masses. Taking part is voluntary.

June 14, 2023 - 11:00 am Calling all social seniors. Our next gathering will be on Wednesday, June 14 at 11am in the Fireside Room. Stay connected with coffee and conversation and have a great time.

Dear Friends in Christ, The church returns to “Ordinary Time” with two solemnities that can only be described as “Extraordinary.” This week we celebrate Trinity Sunday, our central belief in the one God who reveals the divine life in three persons. We enter the life of this divine community of love when we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We invoke the trinity every time we make the sign of the cross, a sacramental moment whenever we do it, like at the beginning and end of every Mass.