Oofda. Despite January being the month we implemented the new long-term schedules for our parish family and my New Years idea of 2025 being the kick-off of a much-needed time of stability for our communities, the last month and a half have been relatively crazy. We’ve had guest priests – and the related deviations from our new schedule! – for the last four weekends, a vicar away on much-deserved vacation with his family & friends in India, and (most recently) the gift of snow to contend with. It’s hard to believe that we’re only six weeks into 2025. Happily, Father Gali returns to us this week and (God willing), we can start enjoying the fruits of all the work we have put into getting to this point. Lord knows I’m ready for some normalcy – and I am certain I’m not the only one!
As Saint Joseph demonstrates, when faced with crazy work, sleep on it!
That said, there is a lot to celebrate even just a month and a half into the year. After months of roof worries in Port Townsend, we’ve finally begun the replacing of the four rotted roof beams that had stalled out our fall roof replacement. If all goes well, we hope to see the entire project completed by the end of March. There is a the little matter of actually paying for these necessary repairs – the final cost was just north of $600,000. The archdiocese has loaned us the bulk of those funds, but we will spend the coming months in discussion and discernment in how each of us can support Saint Mary Star of the Sea in laying that debt to rest. What might be a great weight on any one household’s shoulders can be easily borne, if we all join in. And in the meantime, praise God that our church is being restored to full physical health!
I’d also like to draw your attention to the many funerals we have celebrated recently. Last week alone we celebrated three funerals at three different parishes – offering prayers for Michael McConaghy at Saint Mary Star of the Sea, Mike McAleer at Saint Joseph, and Bill Trodahl at Queen of Angels. This Friday we will also celebrate the funeral Mass of Thomas Skerbech at Queen of Angels. Please remember Michael, Mike, Bill, Thomas, and their loved ones in your prayers – and know that even if you can’t make it to a funeral Mass (to which everyone is always welcome), your intercession and support makes a world of difference. “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
As this week and weekend (finally!) begin a bit of normalcy for our parishes, so may they also be for you! Know of my prayers, that the Lord continue to bless us in our prayer, work, and fellowship.
February 10 – Today is the memorial of Saint Scholastica. Sister of Saint Benedict, she like him dedicated her life to prayer and work. One of my favorite stories about them both comes from Saint Gregory the Great and is included in the Office of Readings for this day. If you haven’t read it, I won’t spoil it for you but the combination of sibling brattiness and holiness is kind of delightful. Read more about her (including Saint Gregory’s account) at the University of Notre Dame’s website.
February 11 – The Church today joins in the celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1858, while Saint Bernadette Soubirous was out gathering wood, Mary silently appeared to her praying the rosary. At first her parents forbade her from returning to the grotto but permitted her a few days later. On Bernadette’s third visit Mary asked her to visit daily. It was on March 25th (the feast of the Annunciation) that Mary revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception. The site of Mary’s appearance – and the waters of the grotto – continue to be a source of great devotion to this day. Read more at the Vatican City State website.
February 13 – Today’s memorial of Blessed Jordan of Saxony is perhaps a bit lesser-known (at least it was to me!). Known for his eloquence such that mothers would hide their sons when he was rumored to come into town, he was well-matched with the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans). Not only good with words, his zeal for not only souls but for friendship with Christ was recognized by all – but especially his brethren. He was elected provincial superior and then master general of the entire Order after Saint Dominic’s death. His Read more about him at the English & Wales Scotland Dominican Friars website.
February 14 – Colloquially called the Apostles to the Slaves, Saints Cyril and Methodius (whom the Church celebrates today) were brothers who dedicated themselves to missionary work to the Slavic people. One such example is Cyril’s invention of an alphabet, which is the basis for the Cyrillic alphabet (still used in modern Russian). He helped translate much of the New Testament and liturgical books into Slavonic, forming a Slavonic liturgy (much to the ire of German bishops!). It took an appeal to Rome and the approval of Pope Adrian II for their work to be accepted and approved. After his brother’s death, Methodius continued in ministry and translation – legendarily translating the entire Bible into Slavonic before his own death. Read more at Franciscan Media.
Priests celebrating their anniversaries this week
- No anniversaries this week – pray for vocations!
Remembering our deceased priests
- Fr. James A. Williams (February 9, 2023)
- Fr. Michael Mackey (February 10, 1924)
- Fr. Edmond L. Barry (February 10, 1964)
- Fr. Michael P. O’Dwyer (February 10, 1965)
- Fr. Peter Fitzpatrick (February 12, 1980)
- Fr. Edmund J. Boyle (February 12, 1995)
- Fr. William M. Slate (February 12, 2015)
- Fr. Fr. Alfred J. Mathenski (February 13, 1986)
- Fr. Fr. George Rink (February 13, 2022)
- Fr. Otmar Boesch (February 15, 1961)
- Fr. Daniel McAllister (February 15, 1981)
- Fr. Dennis Kemp (February 15, 2024)
You, with the Holy Spirit, are amazing. Thank you for all you are doing. I am praying that you do not run out of energy!