March 21, 2025
Dear Friends,
The Partners in the Gospel plan that has brought our four parishes together is a work in progress. Our family of parishes is increasingly staffed by pastoral ministers who serve all four communities. Our experience of the past eight months has informed us about how to adjust our parish staffing, especially regarding liturgy, which is so central to our life as Catholics.
Today, I am happy to announce that Kristin Holland will serve as our Director of Liturgy for all four parishes. She will report to me and join our Parish Family Leadership Team. She will support our presiders and collaborate with Debra Ricard and Sarah Chopyak on sacramental life and liturgical music.
Thank you for supporting Kristin in all the ways she will oversee our liturgical life as the NE Seattle Catholic Community.
Blessings,
Fr. William Heric
Dear Friends in Christ,
On the 3rd Sunday of Lent, the church celebrates the first of three “Scrutinies,” or deeper examinations of the conversion process the Elect are going through as they prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The purpose of the Scrutinies is “to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful” in the hearts of the Elect and to “strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good.” (Quotes from Ritual Text for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, paragraph #141) Those of us already baptized are not passive observers of these rites, for we can only examine the Elect if we are also seeking true spiritual growth this Lent. What does that look like for all those sincerely trying to live a Christian life? I like the following suggestions adapted from a poem by William Ward, which expands on the spiritual discipline of fasting.
On the 3rd Sunday of Lent, the church celebrates the first of three “Scrutinies,” or deeper examinations of the conversion process the Elect are going through as they prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The purpose of the Scrutinies is “to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful” in the hearts of the Elect and to “strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good.” (Quotes from Ritual Text for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, paragraph #141) Those of us already baptized are not passive observers of these rites, for we can only examine the Elect if we are also seeking true spiritual growth this Lent. What does that look like for all those sincerely trying to live a Christian life? I like the following suggestions adapted from a poem by William Ward, which expands on the spiritual discipline of fasting.
Fast from judging others; feast on Christ in them.
Fast from wanting more; feast on being thankful.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on enjoyment.
Fast from negatives; feast on positives.
Fast from stress; feast on prayer.
Fast from anger; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from fear; feast on truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from gossip, feast on silence.
Fast from fighting; feast on peace.
Let’s pray for our elect and for each other as we journey through this season of growth and transformation.
Fr. William Heric, Pastor
Assumption | St. Bridget | St. Catherine of Siena | Our Lady of the Lake
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!
Our Lady of the Lake is a welcoming and inclusive Catholic community. Nourished by our faith and sacraments, we strive to live Christ’s Gospel by caring for all God’s creation with compassion, mercy, and justice.
In which novel does the character Atticus Finch appear?
Catcher in the Rye
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To Kill a Mockingbird
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The Great Gatsby
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1984
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Scroll down to the bottom to see the answer to last week's question.
SATURDAY 3/22
The Third Sunday in Lent
Reconciliation @OLL - 4:00 pm
Vigil Mass @OLL - 5:00 pm - Fr. Duc
Reconciliation @STC - 4:00 pm
Vigil Mass @STC - 5:00 pm - Fr. Bill
SUNDAY 3/23
The Third Sunday in Lent
Sunday Mass @AP - 9:00 am - Fr. Bill
Sunday Mass @STB - 9:00 am - Fr. Duc
Sunday Mass @OLL - 10:30 am - Fr. Bob
Sunday Mass @STC - 10:30 am - Fr. Bill
MONDAY 3/24
Adoration @STB - 3:00 - 10:00 pm
Centering Prayer Group - 7:00 pm
TUESDAY 3/25
Bible Study - 9:30 am
WEDNESDAY 3/26
Daily Mass - 9:00 am
Holy Rosary - 10:00 am
Choir Practice - 7:00 pm
THURSDAY 3/27
Daily Mass - 9:00 am
FRIDAY 3/28
Stations of the Cross @STC - 7:00 pm
SATURDAY 3/29
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Reconciliation @OLL - 4:00 pm
Vigil Mass @OLL - 5:00 pm - Fr. Bill
Reconciliation @STC - 4:00 pm
Vigil Mass @STC - 5:00 pm - Fr. Duc
SUNDAY 3/30
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sunday Mass @AP - 9:00 am - Fr. Duc
Sunday Mass @STB - 9:00 am - Fr. Bob
Sunday Mass @OLL - 10:30 am - Fr. Duc
Sunday Mass @STC - 10:30 am - Fr. Bill
Presider schedule subject to change.
Sunday, March 23, 2025 | Third Sunday of Lent| Luke 13:1–9
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree that the owner cursed because it bore no fruit. On a deeper level, we may understand it to mean that the Lord expects us to bear spiritual fruit.
The fruit of the Spirit is the universal, all-embracing consequence of the Spirit’s presence in us. All people who live in the Spirit should manifest these qualities. The word “fruit” is especially good in this context.
In Psalm 1 we find this comparison: “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.” The Spirit is this stream; when we are planted near it, we blossom.
Well, what are these fruits of the Holy Spirit? In the fifth chapter of Galatians, Paul enumerates them: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” When discerning whether the Spirit is living in you, in determining whether you are walking the right path, these are wonderful criteria.
The fruit of the Spirit is the universal, all-embracing consequence of the Spirit’s presence in us. All people who live in the Spirit should manifest these qualities. The word “fruit” is especially good in this context.
In Psalm 1 we find this comparison: “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.” The Spirit is this stream; when we are planted near it, we blossom.
Well, what are these fruits of the Holy Spirit? In the fifth chapter of Galatians, Paul enumerates them: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” When discerning whether the Spirit is living in you, in determining whether you are walking the right path, these are wonderful criteria.
Bishop Robert Barron
Explore the goodness, truth, and beauty of the Faith
Your parish has gifted you with full access to the entire library of Word on Fire's feature-length films, and short engaging series through Word on Fire Digital. Click the button below to browse all titles and watch on-demand.
SUNDAY MASS - LIVE STREAM LINK
Please click the link to watch our 10:30 am Sunday Mass Livestream.
COLLEEN'S COMICAL CORNER
What's the best thing about Switzerland?
Scroll to the bottom to see the answer to this week's joke.
MOVIE NIGHTS IN LENT
at St. Bridget's
Join us for Movie Nights at St. Bridget’s! We will have light snacks and beverages available; feel free to bring snacks and drinks of your own! We are looking for teen volunteers to help at the first two screenings—service hours are available! An optional monetary or item donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be gratefully appreciated at each screening.
Please note the ages at each screening; not all movies will be appropriate for kids.
- March 21st - 6:30 pm - Prince of Egypt (ages 5+)
- April 4th - 6:30 pm - Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (ages 5+)
- April 12th - 6:30 pm - Jesus Christ Superstar (ages 15yo+)
- April 14th 6:30 pm - Passion of the Christ (ages 17yo+)
ASSUMPTION FISH FRY
All are welcome!
The Assumption Fish Fry will be on Friday, April 11th, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the ASB gym. We welcome our NE Seattle Catholic Community to this much-loved event. Use the link below to purchase a ticket and sign up to volunteer.
ESPERANZA COFFE HOUR
Sunday, March 30th, plan to stop by the St. Catherine Esperanza Coffee Hour after 10:30 am Mass supporting this summer's service trip. Celebrate Mexican culture with music, Cafe de Olla, and churros (in addition to regular coffee and donuts)! There will be tamales for sale, $5 each, chicken or pork. To pre-order, contact Katie Fleming or 206-354-5161
SEASON OF SERVICE
The Archdiocese of Seattle is celebrating its 175th anniversary! We are all invited to join Catholics across Western Washington in serving others as the living Body of Christ during the Season of Service, which runs from March to May 2025.
During this time, let’s unite to volunteer our time serving others. We aim for 175,000 hours of service to recognize our legacy of faith – and demonstrate our commitment to serving others.
You can participate by serving others and logging your hours. You can join
service opportunities at your parish, school, or ministry. Or see more than 50
volunteer opportunities that you, a group of friends or family, can sign up for through the link below.
Together let’s serve and volunteer 175,000 hours by May 31!
12th ANNUAL SEATTLE CATHOLIC MEN'S CONFERENCE
Refined Through Love
The Seattle Catholic Men's Conference invites men of all ages and backgrounds to deepen their faith and strengthen their families through prayer and action. This year's theme, "Refined Through Love: Becoming the Man You Are Called to Be," focuses on personal growth in faith, spirituality, and morality.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Location: Holy Rosary Parish, 760 Aloha Street, Edmonds, WA
Schedule Highlights:
7:00 AM: Check-in with coffee, fruit, and pastries
8:00 AM: Mass celebrated by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo
9:15 AM: Conference sessions begin
4:15 PM: Conference concludes
Join us for a day of fellowship, inspiration, and spiritual growth. For more information and to register, please visit the WEBSITE.
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters at Assumption, St. Bridget's, and St. Catherine’s as we journey to becoming a family of parishes. May the Lord bless us as we discern how to collaborate as Catholics in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout northeast Seattle.
For this, we pray to the Lord! Lord, hear our prayer!
Starting this week, prayers will be included for up to two weeks. If you'd like to continue the prayers beyond that time, simply contact the parish office to renew for another two weeks. We're here to support you!
PRAYERS NEEDED
For all who are in need and those in our community that are ill:
Christine Adkins
Carmina Bacani
Onyeka Enaholo
May the healing power of God’s love renew them and raise them up.
For all who are in need and those in our community that have passed:
Marty Miller
(Husband of Chris Miller)
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
March 24-28 - For the Parish
Please contact the parish office if you want a Mass said for someone.
FUNERAL MASS FOR MARTIN MILLER
We invite you to join us in prayer as we celebrate Martin Miller's life at his Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 22, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Church. Please keep Martin and his loved ones in your prayers during this loss. May he rest in the peace of Christ.
FINDING PEACE IN CONFESSION
Please take a moment to watch this short video from Archbishop Etienne about the sacrament of reconciliation and how it can be a source of peace during Lent.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS - NEXT WEEK
Join us in prayer and reflection as we journey through the Stations of the Cross next week:
- Tuesday, March 18 - 6:00 pm - Service, Soup, & Video @OLL (No Stations of the Cross)
- Friday, March 21 - 9:30 am - Stations following Mass @STB
All are welcome to participate in this Lenten tradition as we walk with Christ on His path to the cross.
STORIES OF HOPE - WEEK 3
Nutritious Meals Help Children’s Growth
Ana Belén and her husband, José, have four children and a baby on the way. They live in a small house in Santa María Chiquimula, Guatemala. Francisco, their 9-year-old son, says his neighborhood is, “a very happy place to live, but sometimes it’s also very hard to live here.” He is not wrong. In their community, malnutrition affects over half of the population mainly because people can’t afford to put food on the table. Continue reading...
CRS RICE BOWL PROGRAM
Join us in this Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving tradition with CRS Rice Bowl! Pick up your Rice Bowl at church and journey with us as we support those in need worldwide.
This year, we kindly ask that all loose cash and coins be counted at Easter and the total donated online or by check. Please write "Rice Bowl 2025" in the notes section of your check and place it in the offertory basket. Do not return loose cash or coins in your Rice Bowl.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to making a difference this Lent!
LENT AND HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
We are excited to share the Lent and Holy Week schedule for our NE Seattle Catholic Family! While some things may look a little different this year, we encourage parishioners to participate in liturgies at all four of our church locations. This expanded schedule provides more opportunities for everyone to participate in the season’s prayer, reflection, and celebration. It’s a wonderful way to come together in faith!
TWO LENTEN EMAIL SERIES OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for inspiration to be delivered straight to your inbox this Lenten season? Check out our two email series provided by Bishop Barron and the Word on Fire Institute.
Lenten Gospel Reflections & More - Bishop Barron's Sunday Gospel Reflections during Lent
Journey to the Cross - Lenten Prayer Challenge - A 10-day journey through the story of Christ's passion starting April 12.
ST. FRANCIS HOUSE SANDWICH MAKING
St. Francis House, a day center for working poor/homeless folks for over 50 years, really needs sandwiches. Please consider making them with your family, friends, and neighbors.
It's an excellent way to earn service hours for your school! Sandwiches should consist of simple, inexpensive bread (white or whole wheat) with peanut butter/jelly or lunchmeat/cheese or tuna. Place in individual baggies, then back into loaf bag.
Sandwiches can be dropped off at St Bridget’s on Mondays from 1-4 p.m. in the Narthex and at OLL on Thursdays at 9 a.m. in the Jubilee Hall. Please contact Mary Jo Gasparich at maryjogasparich@gmail.com or Maria DeSouza at mpdesouza50@gmail.com with any questions! Thank you for your generosity!
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES COLLECTION
NEXT WEEK
Next weekend, our parish will take up the Catholic Relief Services Collection. Funds from this collection provide food to the hungry, support displaced refugees, and bring Christ’s love and mercy to vulnerable people here and abroad. Please give generously to the collection next week and reveal Christ’s love to those most in need. Learn more about the collection at www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.
TENT CITY 4 - MEAL SUPPORT NEEDED
Sunday, April 6, and Sunday, May 4
The NE Seattle Catholic Community will provide dinner for 70 homeless adults and children at Tent City 4 in Lake City on Sun., Apr. 6 and Sun., May 4, 2025.
Our homeless neighbors have been so grateful for the delicious meals we have served them since last October. They will leave this site mid-May, so these are our last two meals. Let’s be generous in filling out this Signup Genius!
Bring a dish (entree, side, salad, dessert), beverages, or paper products and deliver them to Tent City (3212 NE 125th St.) near Seattle Mennonite Church by 6 PM. Families can also sponsor a full meal by emailing tc4@sharewheel.org and selecting a date: https://www.sharewheel.org/tent-city-4.
Thank you for supporting our neighbors who are in need and living outdoors!
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
Needed items: Rice, vegetarian broth, and jam (no expired foods, please)
Please help fill the shelves so we can fulfill the requests. Thank you very much.
NOVENA FOR REFUGEES & IMMIGRANTS
Join the Social Justice Ministry in a 9-day Novena to St. Juan Diego, praying for the safety and care of refugees and immigrants worldwide. The Novena will occur daily at noon, now to March 27. We will pray the USCCB prayer together for 10 minutes via Zoom. If you can’t join live, please consider praying on your own. We may not be able to do much alone, but we can unite in prayer and solidarity. Join via Zoom.
BABY SHOWER FOR REFUGEE MOTHERS
Four babies are expected at the Refugee Resettlement Project in the next six weeks! Please help us give these mothers and their babies a warm welcome by participating in our baby shower. Any new and/or gently used, clean baby items would be greatly appreciated. Bassinets, strollers, car seats, baby clothes, bath items, diapers, and wipes—these families are starting with nothing and will appreciate your donations and gifts! Please see the attached list of needs.
Please bring your items to the Assumption Coffee Hour after 9 am mass on March 30th, or drop them off at Assumption Parish.
You can also order things from a Target Baby Registry under Refugee Mothers. Click on the link below.
Many thanks for your generosity to those in our community in need. What better way to honor the Lenten season than to help our brothers and sisters, immigrants like the Holy Family?
For more information, please contact Stephanie Read.
CATHOLIC SPEED DATING
Back by popular demand! Please join us for the third regional speed dating event for Catholic young adults (ages 21-35) on Saturday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at Holy Rosary, Edmonds. Please note: this is a Catholic event, not a season of The Bachelor. Tickets are $25 and include food and drinks. Attire is business casual. For questions, please contact
Alice McIntyre at alicem@holyrosaryedmonds.org. Please register below.
The correct answer is: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Thank you for participating!
Colleen's Comical Corner Answer:
What's the best thing about Switzerland? I don't know, but the flag is a big plus.
Have something to share? Please fill out the announcement form HERE. Thank you!