Prayer for Oklahoma

"Let us pray for the victims...and the missing, especially the children, struck by the violent tornado that hit Oklahoma City yesterday. Hear us, O Lord."

- Pope Francis, during the Prayers of the Faithful at his morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae

For those who are able to attend, St. James Cathedral will hold a special Mass this Friday (May 24th) at 12 Noon for the tornado victims.

Happy Pentecost!

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

 

Habemus Director of Liturgy

Archbishop Sartain has appointed Mr. Andrew Casad as the Director of Liturgy for the Archdiocese of Seattle. He will begin on August 1st. Read more about him on the Pray Tell Blog. (He's pictured without the bill)

Andrew currently serves as the Director of Liturgy and Catechumenate at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and holds a Master of Theological Studies in liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame (2003). Andrew is also an online course facilitator for Notre Dame’s Satellite Theological Education Program and gives workshops throughout the Diocese of Raleigh.

Please continue to pray for Andrew, his wife and children during this time of transition for them. I also ask your continued prayers for the Liturgy Office and for the entire liturgical life of the Archdiocese of Seattle.

Thank you for those who continue to provide me with hope, strength, and encouragement, especially during this difficult year of transition. This is only the beginning of this new and exciting chapter. One of my favorite movie quotes profoundly articulates what is in my heart. 

As we approach the celebration of Pentecost, let us pray that the Holy Spirit's love will rest upon us and strengthen us to be loving and wise in furthering the gospel of Christ. 

Come, Holy Spirit!

Welcome Bishop Burns!

The Most Reverend Edward Burns of Juneau, Alaska arrived in Seattle last week. He will celebrate a small handful of the Confirmations in the Archdiocese.

He is pictured below, anointing a young parishioner at St. Andrew Parish in Sumner.

Ends and Beginnings

An announcement came in my email today from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate announcing their dissolution, effective June 30th. Jerry Galipeau writes his take on the ending of Forum on his blog.

And Archbishop-Emeritus Alex J. Brunett will "end" his time as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Oakland. Pope Francis has appointed Father Michael Barber, SJ (the one who currently serves as the lead spiritual director of Boston's St. John's Seminary...just wanted to clarify that since apparently there are three Michael Barber, SJ's in the US) as Bishop of Oakland. Brunett served as Oakland's Apostolic Administrator since October of last year.

There are also a number of official assignments (just ignore and accept my apologies for the "draft" watermark) that will soon take place around the Archdiocese of Seattle. Let us especially pray for these priests and the parishes and communities that are greatly impacted by the priests who will soon end their time of service at their specific community.

A couple of hours ago, Tony V. called me and we spoke for a good hour and a half about various ends and beginnings in our lives, and leave it to him to tie it into Liturgy somehow by reminding me of what it means to live out the Passion and Resurrection of Christ: life is changed, not ended.

May Day! May Day!

This afternoon, I took a nice long break in the sunny weather (which is suppose to get sunnier as the week continues) and walked around the Chancery campus. As I was doing so, a gentleman was walking around with a big smile on his face greeting everyone he walked by a "Happy May Day!"

Last year's May Day march was anything but "happy" as the windows of stores in downtown Seattle were broken and smashed, and vandalism appeared on every block. This year, people are still being arrested, reporters are being spat on and shoved, and riots are still occurring.

Thought it would be appropriate to remind ourselves of what May Day is truly about, and in the words of Pope Francis.

Prayers for compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform!

New Archdiocesan Magazine: online survey

Voice your opinion for articles for the new Archdiocesan Magazine to debut in the fall of 2013.
This message is taken from the website of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle:

The Archdiocese of Seattle will launch a new, monthly magazine in the fall of 2013. Responding to this survey will help us design editorial content that meets the needs of our faith community. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and your responses will be strictly confidential.

Thank you for your assistance in making this exciting new venture in evangelization successful.

Greg Magnoni, Director
Office of Communications

Chapel Makeovers

Now that we're halfway through the Easter season, a couple of Chapels got a makeover with some fresh new flowers, since by now the easter lilies have gone to compost.

Administrative Professionals Day

This Wednesday, Archbishop Sartain will host all Chancery employees in the annual recognition awards, where we celebrate those who have been working in the Chancery offices for 10 years and every 5 years after that. (I still have four years to go until I celebrate my 10 year anniversary)

I noticed the event will be held the same day as administrative professionals day. What will you do to honor and recognize the administrative professionals in your parishes, campus ministries, and schools? It could be something as simple as a blessing prayer or a note of appreciation (handwritten notes are always nice) and if you want to go the extra mile, some flowers, or balloons in the office can always cheer anyone up, especially if we want to take a moment to show our appreciation for all the hard work administrative professionals do.

Thank you for your ministry and service!

Did you know?

Today is both National Eggs Benedict Day and also the birthday of Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI. Happy Birthday to Pope-Emeritus Benedict!

 

Confirmation Season

During the Easter Season, the bishops will be busy celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation at various parishes...even having two Masses on any given Sunday. And most of their weeknights are filled with a Confirmation Mass as well! They're so busy in fact that Bishop Burns from Juneau will be assisting our bishops by celebrating a handful of the Confirmations for the Archdiocese of Seattle as well.

Last month, I was asked to serve as the Master of Ceremonies and miter/crosier bearer for Seattle University's Confirmation Mass this Sunday at 9:00pm. I'm very excited to be back at my alma mater and to serve at the Chapel of St. Ignatius, which is where my passion for liturgical ministry flourished as a student sacristan there.

Then this morning I received an email from the secretary at St. Paul's, my home parish, to see if I could serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the South Seattle Cluster's Confirmation Mass next month.  

I'm super excited for Confirmation Season to begin...bring on the Confirmations! Happy Easter Season to you all, and I pray that this Easter Season may bring you much joy and deep peace! 

Let us also pray for the many candidates who will be Confirmed in the next few months.

All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
by water and the Holy Spirit 
you freed your sons and daughters from sin 
and gave them new life. 
Send your Holy Spirit upon them 
to be their Helper and Guide. 
Give them the spirit of wisdom 
and understanding, 
the spirit of right judgment and 
courage, the spirit of knowledge and 
reverence. 
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. 
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

- Prayer for the Laying on of Hands during the Confirmation Rite