News

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Catholic bishops of the Archdiocese of Seattle issued a statement celebrating this decision, which impacts hundreds of thousands of our neighbors across the country. Click above to read the full statement and to find more information on DACA.

Our community changed lives this Lent, and CRS Rice Bowl wants to say THANK YOU!  OLG gave more than ever this year, for a total of more than $6500!  Thank you for your generosity during these difficult times.  CRS works in 114 countries around the world and is currently responding to COVID-19 in many of those places.  Through hygiene support, education, food assistance, health care, and more, CRS is making a difference in the communities they serve.  You helped to make that possible!  Learn more by clicking above.

Click above to read Seattle Archbishop Etienne's statement on racism following the murder of George Floyd. In it, he states, "These deaths are tragic, and they expose a symptomatic and deep-seated connection between institutional racism and the continued erosion of the sanctity of life. If we do not respond appropriately as a society, we will be tacitly acquiescing to the ongoing killing of unarmed black men." You can also find other statements, the Bishops' Pastoral Against Racism, and resources included.

Our Safe Parking ministry continues, despite the challenges of COVID-19. Our first three guests moved on and two new guests have been staying with us.  Volunteers help keep the Hospitality Hut clean and welcoming while St. Vincent de Paul keeps it stocked with food. Thank you for your support.

Catholic Community Services (CCS) has been working hard to keep their shelter guests safe during this time of pandemic.  Many guests have temporarily been moved into motels where there is no food service for them.  In collaboration with our local Scouts, we are running a breakfast food drive.  Please consider donating instant oatmeal, dried fruit, fruit cups, individually wrapped pastries, peanut butter, jelly, jerky, and durable fruit (oranges, apples, etc.) by June 21.  Click above for more information.

The 4th Annual Catholic Immigration Summit, originally scheduled for this weekend, is moving online! Visit Seattle U’s Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture’s website for resources to help our community learn more about the challenges facing immigrant communities.  Explore topics such as advocacy, DACA, spiritual practice & resilience, mental health, legal assistance and more.  Co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Seattle and St. James Immigrant Assistance. Click above for more details.

Catholic Community Services is in urgent need of thousands of masks for their front line workers.  They are also trying to equip farm workers with masks as the harvesting seasons begin. OLG's Immigrant Ministry is supporting this drive. Please drop off homemade or store-bought masks at the OLG Pastoral Center. Help the essential workers who labor to provide shelter and food for our community. Click above for sewing instructions and a tutorial.

The Youth Migrant Project summer mission trip for teens is moving ahead! We will be accepting applications and preparing for a week of service in the Skagit Valley from August 10-14. Applications are due by Sunday, May 31. Click above for more information.

Thanks to generous gifts from the parish community and beyond, our St. Vincent de Paul Conference was able to deliver approximately $23,000 in Goods and Services to 320 individuals in April alone – a new Conference high by far!  Our Conference is seeing twice as many calls as usual during these difficult times and many are requesting assistance with large rent payments.  Thank you for your generosity.  Please continue to support our Vincentians in their good work as you are able. Click above for more information.

Contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to urge the ethical development of a COVID-19 vaccine that is not tied to abortion. Some researchers use cell lines developed from the cells of aborted babies for vaccine research.  This is not necessary. Click above for more information and to take action.

Migration has always been difficult. But today’s migrants are increasingly pushed toward more hazardous journeys. In West Africa it is not uncommon for a family to go into debt trying to support a migrant’s journey, only to have the journey end in tragedy. People are migrating at great peril because they believe they’ve run out of options.  Learn more about their stories and how you can help through CRS.

The Supreme Court will soon make a ruling on the fate of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). If the decision to terminate the program is upheld, more than 700,000 DACA recipients–and their families -will be impacted.  This situation is tremendously stressful for everyone it affects.  DACA recipients are members of our parishes, members of our priest pool, members of our neighborhoods, and more. Click above to learn more.

Right now, Members of Congress are considering a fourth package of COVID-19-related legislation. While we are grateful for measures Congress has taken to address the crisis, there remain unique challenges that refugees and immigrants face. It is imperative that Members of Congress hear that their constituents want to see meaningful solutions that support all our neighbors, including immigrant and refugee community members. Contact Your Senators and Representatives today! Click above for more details.

Get some fresh air and exercise by helping out with Day of Service projects that were cancelled on the OLG campus. Help get our gardens ready to grow fresh fruits and veggies for the West Seattle Food Bank by weeding, spreading mulch, pruning, etc. Click above to sign up.

With another election cycle in full swing, we are invited to consider what it means to love our neighbors in the midst of a divisive climate. We are called to bring the best of ourselves and our faith to the public square. The U.S. Catholic Bishops invite Catholics to pledge to civility, clarity, and compassion in the public square and to call on others to do the same. Click above to take the pledge and learn more.

By this time of year, we are usually collecting applications for the Youth Migrant Project summer mission trip for teens (graduating 8th graders through graduating seniors). Due to COVID-19, we are not sure whether the program will run this summer. We will share an update as soon as possible. Even if the regular program isn’t possible in its entirety, we hope to do something to assist the essential farmworkers and their families as they labor to put food on our tables!

The Catholic Bishops of Washington have addressed the current immigration crisis saying, “As Catholics, we believe that each person, regardless of legal status, is a sister or brother in Jesus Christ. We are called to practice Christian charity and to protect and defend the dignity of every human person…We must continue to strive for comprehensive immigration reform…” Click above to learn more and discover ways to help.

We prayed, fasted and gave alms—and now we celebrate the Risen Lord! Our Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl challenges us as we begin the Easter season to share what we have with our global family. Remember to turn in your Rice Bowl funds. Click above for more details.

The official 2020 Census Day was April 1. In Washington, $16.7 billion in tax dollars for our communities are at stake, along with our democratic representation in Congress. We cannot afford to miss counting anyone in this census. Click above for more information on how to get counted!

Two of our guests have moved on while our most recent arrival remains with us. If you or someone you know needs a place to park or if you'd like to volunteer, click above to find out more details.