Mass and March for Life

Yesterday morning, one day before the anniversary of the tragic decision to legalize abortion in Roe v. Wade, thousands of people from the Church of Western Washington came together to give thanks to God for the gift of human life at the annual Mass and March for Life.

There was an official photographer for the Northwest Catholic who took some great pictures of the event. Val took some pretty great pictures as well. She was part of the delegation from the South Seattle cluster parishes.

The March for Life, held throughout the U.S. is an inspiring testimony to the sanctity of life and a powerful statement to our legislators. Please continue to pray for the respect of human life, from conception to natural death.

Picture this!

In my previous post, I included a picture of Fr. Bryan taking a picture of the assembly from the weekend's CYC Mass.

Courtesy of the Priesthood and Religious Vocations for the Archdiocese of Seattle's Facebook page, here's the picture that Fr. Bryan took:

Youth Convention 2013

This weekend was the Catholic Youth Convention (CYC) held at Bellevue College. Last night Archbishop Sartain presided at Adoration and this morning Fr. Bryan Dolejsi celebrated Mass.

It's been a great joy to be a part of this gathering of 1,300+ youth throughout the Archdiocese for the past 4 years as the liturgy coordinator. This year was different because Joe from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Bothell was the liturgy coordinator and I assisted him throughout the weekend to provide support and assistance where needed. In fact, some of the youth in our parish's Confirmation program also came out for the weekend to join in the fun. Although I never saw them, I hope and pray it was a time of renewal and excitement for them in their journey of faith, just as much as it was for me when I was in high school and participated in CYC.

We also had a group of our seminarians from Bishop White Seminary and Mount Angel Seminary, wearing their new polo shirts, who came out for the weekend to be present, promote vocations to the priesthood, and be a powerful witness to the youth. When Fr. Bryan introduced them and had them stand up before the Final Blessing at Mass, they received a roar of applause and feet-stomping!

Seminarian Ben was also a great help with the Mass preparations. He did a lot from cueing the gift bearers, putting out the hosts, to altar cloth fitting:

The house band, "The Thirsting" played for the entire weekend, including serving as the "choir" for Mass.

Before Adoration last night, I met Brother Matthias and we spoke briefly before our rehearsal for the Mass. Little did I know that he was going to be on the keyboard for the night.

And before the Final Blessing at Mass, Fr. Bryan informs everyone that he wants to take a picture of the group.

Overall a great weekend! How could it not be when you're acknowledged and thanked in front of the 1,500+ people as a "liturgy friend."

Ordination of Mark Kiszelewski

Last Saturday, Archbishop Sartain ordained Mark Kiszelewski to the Priesthood.
Here's the photo album of the Ordination Mass courtesy of St. James Cathedral's website.

If you prefer less quality pictures from the Ordination Mass, check out my picasa web album, which also includes pictures from Father Mark's Masses of Thanksgiving at St. Therese and Christ Our Hope in Seattle.

Congratulations, Father Mark. Ad multos annos!

God's presence in the world!

Here are a few pictures taken from the Corpus Christi Procession at Holy Rosary Parish in Tacoma.

Was almost brought to tears at being reminded of this reality of God's presence in the world.
     God is still with us,
     God hasn't abandoned us,
     God still loves us and cares for us,
     God wants to bless us and be with us!

Holy Week photo album

As promised, here is the photo album for pictures (all 90+ of them) I took of this year's Holy Week at St. Paul's, with our Pastor, Fr. Felino Paulino as the main celebrant/prayer leader for all of the liturgical celebrations.

They're not as good quality as St. James Cathedral's photo album of their Triduum celebrations, but it will do.

(And when your parish is about to have an anniversary photo directory published in the next year or so and since Fr. Felino only celebrates Holy Week every three years since we're a cluster parish, every picture taken this year counts!)

Merry Chrism Mass!

It was a very merry Chrism Mass yesterday evening!

   - beautiful music (it helps if you're sitting next to Bill McNamara, campus minister for music at Seattle University)

   - awesome liturgical ministers (including a nervous recently ordained deacon and oil bearer or two)

   - reverent procession and presentation of oils and essence

   - saw a recent picture of Tony V. which was so great to see, thanks to one of the coordinators of the Dismissal of the Elect who saw him at the Mid-Atlantic Congress a few weeks ago (last time I talked to him, Tony said their Chrism Mass is Monday of Holy Week)

   - priests renewing their vow of obedience to the local bishop and their commitment to serve the people of God

   - Archbishop Sartain blest a monstrance to be used for Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life for the Archdiocese

   - one of the deans shouted in a soft voice "Jen-Jen"  (my nickname from Seattle University, since I also go by "Jen") during the recessional as I walked in front of him during the procession

   - seeing and talking to the 8 or 9 year old niece (her name is pronounced "Saba" but not sure how it's spelled) of Father Wagner. This was the third time I saw her since her uncle's ordination to the diaconate a few years ago

   - as all of the priests went back to the Pastoral Outreach Center, two by two in a straight line, Father Maurer strayed just to come and say hi to me...that was nice and very grace-filled

   - saw a pastoral musician committee member of NPM Seattle Chapter who told me about the death of Father Ed White's mother in Maine. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for Father Ed and his family, during this difficult time. He flew back to Seattle from Maine just hours before concelebrating at the Chrism Mass

   - a homeless man coming to the reception to get almost all of the cookies left, using a box to carry them out, even with the line of people waiting to get food

A Merry Chrism Mass to all...and to all a good holy week!

Chrism Mass countdown

In two weeks, at the annual Chrism Mass, the oils to be used in sacramental celebrations at Easter and throughout the coming year will be blessed by Archbishop Sartain. This is also a special celebration because it is at this Mass where Archbishop Sartain consecrates the Sacred Chrism, where he not only prays the words of blessing, but breathes over the oil, an ancient gesture that recalls God’s spirit breathed into creation.

All are welcome to attend this Mass on Thursday, March 21^st at 7:00pm at St. James Cathedral.

In the meantime enjoy the behind the scenes look at the oil preparations. Maybe next year I'll take pictures at Calvary Cemetery where we pour all of the old holy oils into a plot near the deceased priests' section.

[Thanks to a few good deacons (Roy Harrington, Sam Basta, Dennis Kelley, and Craig Lundberg) taking time yesterday to set-up tables, clean the glass vessels, unpack boxes, and discover a secret to drying out these vessels overnight, we are almost ready for the Chrism Mass.]

 

More pictures

As promised in my last post, here are additional pictures from a busy MLK weekend:

Mass for Life (St. Martin University - Marcus Pavillion)

NPM Seattle Chapter's Choral Reading Session presented by Michael Connolly

slight tangent - I posted some pictures from last Saturday's Mass in Thanksgiving for the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (celebrated the day after the reading session, two days before I left to start setting up for the Mass for Life) but those pictures don't compare to the ones taken by Maria Laughlin of St. James Cathedral...they're posted on the Cathedral's website, and if you look closely, you'll see my sister and me.    (pictured with Deacon Lamar during the gospel procession)

MLK Mass pictures

This morning was the Mass in Thanksgiving for the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Here are some pictures from the celebration. Enjoy!  

[coming up, pictures from last night's NPM Seattle Chapter's choral reading session with GIA, presented by Shelton, WA native Michael Connolly (whom I just found out also served in the Liturgy Office back in the '70s) and next week's Mass for Life)]

 

 

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

As they say, pictures (or in this case, a video with music) speak louder than words...especially when it comes to celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

This video (courtesy of Isaac Govea of the Hispanic Ministry Office) is a beautiful compilation of pictures taken at this year's Archdiocesan Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Madre de las Americas, which was celebrated on December 1st. The day began with a Rosary at St. Mary's Church followed by a procession to St. James Cathedral for the Mass. Then of course, a gran fiesta! (Unfortunately, no pictures of the tamales.)

¡Que viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!



Our Lady of Guadalupe; Madre de las Americas

As the Catholic Church begins the season of Advent (a season of anticipation and expectation) the Hispanic Catholic Community of Western Washington gathered at St. James Cathedral to celebrate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Madre de las Americas. Some great pictures are on the St. James Cathedral website.

This Mass (in addition to Simbang Gabi, which will be at 11am on December 15th at the Cathedral) is one of my favorites, because even with a language barrier, I'm able to see the faith through a different perspective. I'm able to see the faith through the eyes of devoted Catholics not ashamed to show their faith, wear feathers, beads, and bells. I'm able to see the faith through beautiful mariachi music, guitars, and bright vibrant colors. In this season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ, let us continue to find joy in our faith.

!Viva la Virgen!

What also made the day special was that a good friend of mine, Reverend Jacob M. Maurer was celebrating his 30th birthday and had the opportunity to pray a part of the Eucharistic Prayer with Archbishop Sartain. So glad that he was able to have this opportunity, something he had not done since his ordination in 2009. Happy 30th Birthday, Father Maurer!

St. Cecilia Sing!

Two weeks ago, the Seattle Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) hosted their annual St. Cecilia Sing! This event, which is held near the Feast of St. Cecilia -patron saint for musicians- gathers pastoral musicians throughout the Archdiocese to celebrate the great gift of music and join together in fellowship and prayer.

Although not a pastoral musician myself, I continue to find myself inspired and renewed in ministry with the work that this group does. St. Cecilia Sing! especially moves me because as each of the participating choirs and ensembles sing their piece(s), I enter into a deep joy and peace where all stress and worry disappear for just a brief couple of hours. Many find this feeling watching movies or theater.

Wanting to support and encourage pastoral musicians in their ministry and to spread the word about the chapter, I began taking pictures at their events which may now be found on their website. There is also a lot of helpful resources and information such as job openings and information about musicians salary.

Let us continue to be inspired in ministry through the art of musical liturgy. Thank you to all of the pastoral musicians for their dedication and service to the Church of Western Washington!