News - July 2021

Thank you for supporting the 8 teens who went on the Youth Migrant Project this year. With your generosity, we were able to donate a carload of food, diapers, hygiene supplies, and games to be shared with the migrant families. We served over 320 households at the Food Bank in Burlington! Your gifts went a long way in nourishing recipients and were also a tangible reminder that others are thinking of them. We also received over $1400 in monetary donations, which will be shared with St. Charles and the Catholic Farmworker Center to support their ongoing ministries. Thank you for helping to bring God’s love and care to those who put food on our tables!

Our parish recently joined St. James Cathedral Seattle, St. Joseph Seattle, and St. Leo the Great Tacoma parishes in signing on to the “God is on your Side” statement. The statement, signed by 14 U.S. Catholic Bishops, stands with at-risk LGBT youth in our country. The letter states, in part, “As we see in the Gospels, Jesus Christ taught love, mercy, and welcome for all people, especially for those who felt persecuted or marginalized in any way…The Catholic Church values the God-given dignity of all human life and we take this opportunity to say to our LGBT friends, especially young people, that we stand with you and oppose any form of violence, bullying or harassment directed at you. Most of all, know that God created you, God loves you and God is on your side.” Click above to read the full statement.

When neighbors in need call, our wonderful Vincentian volunteers are there to respond with caring support and tangible assistance. They help with rent and utilities as well as bring bags of food to those experiencing hunger. Unfortunately, our pantry is very low on food and supplies, limiting their ability to help. Please consider donating non-perishable food, hygiene items (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.), diapers, and cleaning supplies. We are now able to resume our collection of items at in-person Masses (look for the basket by the baptismal font) and continue to accept donations at the Pastoral Center. Thank you for your ongoing generosity!

With some COVID restrictions still in place, 7 teens will be doing an abbreviated version of the Youth Migrant Project this summer. While much has changed about the trip this year, the need has not. We may not be able to do everything, but we can still collect items to help the migrant workers and families living in the Skagit Valley. We will be collecting non-perishable food items (canned goods, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, etc.), toiletries for arriving migrant families (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.), diaper wipes, and diapers size 5 and 6. Click above for more information.

Did you know that OLG has a Life, Justice, and Peace Commission? In its 8th year, the LJP Commission aims to integrate Catholic social teaching into the life of the parish and seeks to offer parishioners a way to live out their call to love God and neighbor by providing opportunities for service, advocacy, and education. This year, we will focus on racial justice and the upcoming Seattle City Council elections in addition to other efforts. To learn more about joining our efforts, click above.

As people of faith, we are called to work for justice and change the system that resulted in the death of George Floyd.  Since his death, according to Mapping Police Violence at least 1,068 people have died at the hands of the police in the U.S, with alarming racial disparities.  In March, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.  Now we call on the Senate to do the same.  The bill provides more oversight to hold states and city police accountable, restricts the use of force, improves data collection, adds a new lynching offense to the criminal code, and more.  Click above to learn more.

Water is the foundation of human and ecological health and covers 70% of our world.  It is essential for agriculture, sanitation, industry, recreation, energy, and maintaining natural ecosystems.  Currently, the lack of sustainable use planning, combined with population changes and climate change, has led to a lack of sufficient water supply to meet the water usage demands for different areas in the U.S. and across the globe.  Click above to visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website and learn how to start saving more water in your home.

Through the USAID Gikuriro project, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is working to end malnutrition in Rwanda. Since the program began, children under the age of 2 getting the right amount of nutritious food went from 14.5% to 29% in target districts. Additionally, over the last 5 years in Rwanda, working with USAID Rwanda, CRS has supported Rwanda Health as they help families grow nutritious food and improve hygiene and sanitation to reduce malnutrition and transform lives and the country. So far, we have reached 2.5 million people together! Click above to learn more.