News - HOME

13 yrs ago, Mustefa Hafiz was not able to grow enough food for his family to eat. In Ethiopia, his land sat at the bottom of a hill which would flood every year. This forced him to rely on wheat provided by the government for 3 months out of the year. Things needed to change. Read more about Mustefa's story and how CRS made a difference in his life. Click above for more.

We encounter Jesus this week in Jerusalem, a community he knew well.  We prayerfully enter our own communities too, encountering those who are hungry and thirsty, and those who need our help.  How does our Lenten journey motivate us to serve those we meet in our daily lives? Visit crsricebowl.org for more.  Remember to bring your Rice Bowls to Holy Thursday Mass.  Please convert coins to cash or checks (made out to “OLG” with “Rice Bowl” in the memo).  Our counters thank you! 

The Youth Migrant Project is back!  We’ll be teaming up with St. James and St. Anne’s for a fun and life-changing week, July 21st-26th. We serve in a variety of migrant ministries throughout the Skagit Valley, including distributing food and clothing, creating a fiesta for the children in a camp, working in the fields, and attending Mass in a camp.  In addition to serving, we will learn about migrant life and reflect on our faith in light of these realities.  Because there are three parishes participating, space is very limited.  Applications are available in the parish office and online, and are due Sunday, May 12.  Click above for more information and an application.

We encounter Ona in Gaza, where, despite lack of economic opportunity, people pursue their dreams by building businesses to better their lives.  How do your daily choices impact others throughout the world?  How can your choices support the dignity of workers?  Visit crsricebowl.org for more. 

“Kimberly is constantly pushing herself to be her absolute best,” said nominator Sofia Lopez. “She brings a light to our campus with her ability to bring others into the Lancer Family.” Kimberly helps lead class retreats and serves in various leadership positions. She also volunteers at the West Seattle Food Bank. She is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

We encounter Kumba from Sierra Leone, who, through her education, is providing hope for her family and community. How has education given you opportunities in life? How do you use your education for the common good? Visit crsricebowl.org for more.

As part of her 8th grade Juan Diego Project at OLG School, JoJo is collecting care kit items for local homebound, homeless, and refugee neighbors and she needs your help! Click above to learn more.

Have a couple hours a month to give? Join the St. Martin de Porres food delivery team! Each week, one member of the teams picks up food from Salty’s and delivers them to St. Martin Homeless Shelter, a short 10 minutes away. Also needed is someone to pick up trays and return them to Salty’s once a week, Thursday through Saturday. Working with a team provides great flexibility. Click above for more details.

In Guatemala, we encounter Norma, who as a young mother supports her family and shares her skills with her community.  Reflect on the importance of family in your life.  How can you contribute to support families in your community?    Visit crsricebowl.org for more and be sure to check out the daily calendar reflections provided in your Rice Bowl! 

Three years ago, fifteen parishioners including Fr. Jack traveled to the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, TX.  They assisted immigrant asylum-seekers released by Homeland Security to pursue their asylum cases within the US.  Showers, food, clean clothing, and transportation guidance are part of what is provided. Now, a couple of parishioners are planning to return for several days at the end of March, 2019.  Are you interested in joining them? Click above for more details.

For better or worse, the issue of Immigration is the front headline most days. Lost sometimes in the conversations about border security are the people who are being currently detained in a system that is desperately in need of reform.  For many of us, it’s hard to comprehend what those who are detained face in our legal system.  Therefore, St. Joseph’s is hosting “THE DETENTION LOTTERY”, an Immersive Courtroom Drama by Margaret O’Donnell to educate ourselves on Thursday, March 7th from 7-9pm. Click above for more details.

Join our faith community – and more than 14,000 Catholic communities across the United States – in a life-changing Lenten journey of encounter with Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. Get your Rice Bowl at any of the Ash Wednesday services, in the school, or in the parish office. During the 40 days of Lent, we will encounter the needs of the world. Remember to download the CRS Rice Bowl app!

Every February, we celebrate Black History Month.  This month, as part of your observance, consider reading the U.S. Catholic Bishops new pastoral letter against racism entitled “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love”. Click above to learn more and access the document.

You are invited to a presentation on mental health on Wednesday, February 20th from 12-1:30pm at the Bethaday Community Learning Space (605 SW 108th St, Seattle).  The speakers will include representatives of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Navos. Click above for more information and to RSVP.

As part of their Ignatian Spirituality for Men Series, the Ignatian Spirituality Center invites all men to an Interfaith Dialogue on Saturday, February 23 from 8:30 am-12:00 pm at St. Joseph Parish Center, Seattle. Register by February 20th. Click above for more details.

Click above for a list of emergency locations to help those who are unsheltered during this cold weather.

If you or a friend are a Federal Employee adversely impacted by the government shutdown, know that St. Vincent de Paul is here to help.  SVdP wants all to know that they can help with food, free clothing, personal hygiene supplies, etc. Click above for more details.

The Pastoral Center (or office) Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30am to 4:00pm and Friday's 8:30am to 3:00pm. If you just need to drop something off, you can put it in the mail drop to the left of the front door, by the bench. 

RAVE To Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in West Seattle for the most beautiful outdoor Christmas tree I’ve ever seen. It lights up the corner of 35th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Myrtle Street and takes my breath away every night when I’m driving home.

A BIG THANK YOU to all who were able to contribute gifts to local Sanislo Elementary families. We collected 16 sets of gifts to meet the needs and wants on all the tags. We also collected 4 grocery gift cards for several homeless families at the school. Thank you as well to all who supported our gift card drive for Catholic Community Services' Santa Teresita housing! We collected 119 gift cards, which added up to almost $3000! Parents and guardians will now have the opportunity to buy just the right gifts for their children. Thank you for your generosity and for making the holidays a little brighter for some of our neighbors in need. You helped Christ's light shine brightly this year!