Rest in peace, Father Gallagher

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father William Gallagher, who passed away early this morning at Mount St. Vincent.  Father Gallagher was ordained in 1946 at St. James Cathedral and served there as a curate and then as pastor from 1974-1988.  He also served as pastor at Sacred Heart in Bellevue and at St. Luke’s in Shoreline.  He was a good and faithful priest for 67 years! 

Information on Father Gallagher's Funeral Mass may be found on the Cathedral website.

"English Mass for Filipino Catholics"

Can someone explain how English Mass for Filipino Catholics: The Meaning of the New Words of the Mass, by Virgilio T.J. Suerte Felipe, is specific to Filipino Catholics (or how is it any different than Mass for Roman Catholics?)

DC Navy Yard shootings

Let us pray.

For all the dead and injured, and for their families and friends.
For the people in desolation because of such violence.
For an end to such brutalities.
For military personnel, service men and women, EMTs, police officers, fire fighters.
For anyone dealing with frustration or anger.
For peace and healing.

     Lord, hear our prayers.

Prayers for Archbishop Brunett

As you may have read or heard through various posts on Facebook, the Archdiocesan official news release, or a number of local news websites and television stations, our retired Archbishop, Alex J. Brunett, suffered a stroke last Thursday afternoon (Sept 12,) was admitted to Overlake Hospital, and underwent surgery, which doctors have said went well. Archbishop Brunett is in critical but stable condition in intensive care before the next phase of his recovery begins. He is not able to receive visitors at this time but welcomes your prayers. As his stroke happened on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, a Hail Mary seems appropriate.

At a Mass yesterday afternoon at St. James Cathedral, Archbishop Sartain mentioned that Archbishop Brunett is able to respond to voice commands, and he recognized him and was able to make the sign of the cross after Archbishop Sartain offered a blessing upon him. When Archbishop Sartain mentioned that Mass would be celebrated at the Cathedral that afternoon, Archbishop Brunett expressed his gratitude for the thoughts and most especially the prayers.

For those who would like to send cards and notes to Archbishop Brunett, please direct them to 710 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

In the words of Archbishop Sartain, "may God, whose power and love can do more than we can ask or image, grant the Archbishop healing, peace, and joy."

       O God, only support of our human weakness, 
       show the power of your protection over your servants who are sick, 
       that, sustained by your merciful help, 
       they may be restored to your holy Church in good health. 
       Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
               -Collect, Votive Mass For the Sick

We Remember...

Here's the prayer written by Pope-emeritus Benedict from when he visited Ground Zero in 2008.

In a world torn by violence and hatred, let us continue to pray for peace and love in our hearts and the hearts of others.

Prayer for God's love

Jorel and Spencer

As promised, below is the prayer for my good friends' wedding reception last Saturday, which is based on the Rite of Marriage. These two have gone through a lot in their (I believe) 14 years together as a couple, and their faith has grown stronger because of these trials and smiles, highs and sighs. Spencer says that I am a faith-filled witness and role model in her life, but I can easily say the same about her and Jorel's faith and how they live it out.

May this prayer be (1) a prayer for all married couples, serving as a reminder of the love they have committed to each other and to the Church and (2) a reminder for all Catholics to be a witness of God's love in the world through acts of kindness.

Almighty and ever-living God, we pray for your children, N. and N., now joined by the Sacrament of Matrimony. Grant that they may grow in faith and enrich your Church. May you keep them of one heart, in peace and love for one another.

We ask your blessing upon all of us joyfully gathered here this day [, and upon this food]. May it nourish us and provide us with the strength to grow in faith, hope and love for you. We ask this and all of our prayers, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace

By now I would think that many of you have heard or read about Pope Francis calling for this Saturday to be a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world.

 Click here for a number of liturgical resources and a memo from Archbishop Sartain and Bishop Elizondo to their brother priests, which gives permission to priests in the Archdiocese to celebrate specific Masses for Various Needs and Occasions at this coming Sunday liturgies.

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Prayer at a Wedding reception

A friend of mine from Seattle University is getting married this Saturday at the Chapel of St. Ignatius. In addition to asking me to altar serve, last night the bride-to-be invited me to offer a prayer at their wedding reception. Some may see this either as a daunting task with no where to begin or as an opportunity to give a mini-toast on the couple. I, on the other hand, am thrilled at this opportunity to pray the prayers from the Catholic Rite of Marriage.

This prayer at the wedding reception is a great opportunity to incorporate these prayers that were prayed at the Rite of Marriage within a Mass, just hours before the reception, during which many of her guests would have likely tuned out because they were so focused on when the presider would say "you may now kiss the bride!"  

Anyhow, a copy of the prayer will be posted sometime this week.