Dear Friends in Christ,

Now that the summer recess is more or less over and students are returning to school, the stores are beginning to market upcoming holidays, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, and even Christmas! I am a person who tries to live in the present moment, so I’m not really looking forward to any of those holidays just yet, except Thanksgiving, which to me is an occasion we should celebrate every day of the year. So, I want to pause right now to offer thanks for the following:

Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers in our NE Seattle Catholic Community who quietly offer their help wherever it is needed. I’m thinking of sacristans, lectors, eucharistic ministers, choir members, ushers, and those who help with our coffee hours after Mass and receptions after funerals. Thanks also to those who volunteer in our SVDP outreach to the poor. I am grateful for all you do!

A heartfelt word of thanks to those who volunteer in our consultative bodies, like Pastoral Councils, Finance Councils, School Commissions, and in particular those who serve on our Parish Family Advisory Council. (PFAC) These good folks are donating countless hours to help facilitate the discernment process that will lead to our becoming one single parish community in NE Seattle. Please plan on coming to the upcoming listening sessions they are hosting for us!

Finally, I want to offer a word of public thanks to all those who serve on our parish staff, including Fr. Duc and Deacon Denny, for their ministry to our community. Attending to the needs of four parishes with three schools is a challenging and at times demanding endeavor. I want to single out one of our staff members in particular who will be leaving us as of September 11. Jody Fitts has generously served our NE Seattle Community for 9 years, 7 at OLL, and the last 2+years as my personal assistant. She has helped manage my calendar schedule in a way I could never have done by myself. Thank you, Jody, for everything!

Finally, thanks be to God for all of you, for the faith, hope, and love you share with each other and our greater community in NE Seattle. God love you!

Blessings,

Fr. William Heric, Pastor