Dear Friends in Christ,

The next question we will discuss in our Partners in the Gospel discernment process in October is “Who do we want to become as a single parish community?” I bring a perspective on that question shaped by a man named Joe Wolfe. I met Joe in early July of 2024 when I had the privilege of presiding at my first daily Mass at St. Catherine Parish. Joe was the only person in the church when I arrived, so we introduced ourselves before others began to arrive for Mass. I learned that Joe had attended St. Benedict Parish and Blanchet High School in his early life, but had not been to Mass in over 30 years. Now, at the age of 72, something compelled him to attend.

As I began to rotate presiding at daily Mass at OLL, Assumption, and St. Bridget parishes, I would notice Joe at these Masses and wherever I was presiding on weekends. A few months after our first meeting, I asked Joe if he would like to register at one of our parishes. He told me he felt comfortable in all four communities, so could he belong to all of them? Of course, I said. That’s the whole point of the Partners in the Gospel process. As things turned out, Joe died this past June 3. At his request, we celebrated his Memorial Service at Assumption Church with about 100 family and friends present. Most were not Catholic, except for the folks who had come to know Joe when he frequently attended daily Mass at one of our parishes. No matter. All present were united in their love for Joe.

So, my hope is that as we continue to journey into our future, we will become a community of hospitality that welcomes people like Joe Wolfe with open arms. So spread the word. All are welcome in our NE Seattle Catholic Community!

Blessings,

Fr. William Heric, Pastor