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Jesus told us that whatever we did for one of these least brothers of his we did for him. Reflect on the challenge of global hunger—it is a reality for millions of our sisters and brothers. What will you do to support the hungry in our community and around the world? Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.

Save the date! The 2021 Day of Service is Saturday, April 24. Over the next couple months, we will feature project sites. There is something for everyone! Help the Union Gospel Mission serve those who are hungry in our community by preparing sandwiches for the Search and Rescue Team. This team goes out, day and night, 365 days a year, to search out and find those who are living on the streets, hungry, and hurting. They meet them with essential supplies to make it through another day and night and invite them inside. Sandwich-making will take place on the OLG campus and is open to anyone 10 or older. Click above for more information.

The bishops of Washington state are encouraging Catholics to “get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves, loved ones, and the community.” They join the state’s Catholic Charities agencies and Catholic health care organizations in making their recommendation. In response to moral concerns about the development of the vaccines, the bishops cite the chairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committees on doctrine and pro-life activities, who concluded that it is morally permissible to receive the vaccines. Click above to learn more.

The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) represents the Catholic Bishops of Washington in their efforts to support public policies that promote the common good. Their mission is rooted in the Catholic community’s belief in the dignity of the human person, our tradition of services to the most vulnerable of society, and our firm commitment to a just and peaceful world. With the Washington State Legislature in session again, you can sign up for weekly Catholic Advocacy Bulletins. Join the network at www.wacatholics.org/be-an-advocate/join-our-network

Join our faith community—and more than 12,000 Catholic communities across the United States—in a life-changing Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl. Hopefully you received your Rice Bowl in the mail this week. If not, you can pick one up at the Pastoral Center. During the 40 days of Lent, we will reflect on how hunger and malnutrition affect our human family, and on the need to take action to end this global injustice. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.

Soldiers’ Angels invites all to help spread the love this Valentine’s Day. Send a Valentine’s Day card along with $1 (to cover postage) and they’ll share it with a deployed service member or veteran. Click above to learn more.

Seattle University invites all to their winter Catholic Heritage Lecture on Thursday, January 28 at 4pm via Zoom. “The Nonviolent Shift” features Ken Butigan, PhD, senior lecturer in the Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies Program at DePaul University. The lecture will focus on nonviolence as a spiritual journey, a way of life, a method for social change, and a universal ethic. It will explore how the Church is responding to this call and how we can all be part of this nonviolent shift. Click above for more details.

NAMI offers a free, 8-session education program for family, friends, and significant others of adults with mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc.). The program covers various conditions, communication, problem solving, treatment and recovery. It is designed to increase understanding and advocacy skills while helping participants maintain their own well-being. Click above for more information.

Pope Francis calls us to respond with justice "today, not tomorrow" in response to the coronavirus and climate crises. The Pope can't heal the world alone! Sign the Global Catholic Climate Movement's petition to support "the original harmony of creation and to heal strained human relationships." Click above for more information.

The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center is offering educational programs with new COVID safety protocols. Join an outdoor walk through Hah-ah-poos Duwamish Village on the river across from the Longhouse. Learn the history of the village site, the impact of colonization in King County, some traditional food sources, and traditional ecological and stewardship practices. Click above to learn more.

Pope Francis recently released an encyclical entitled Fratelli tutti - Brothers and Sisters All. Our time is marked by significant challenges: war, poverty, migration, climate change, and pandemic. Recognizing a friend in everyone creates responses that reaffirm the dignity of every human person created in the image of God. Click above to read the letter.

In July, the federal government resumed capital punishment for the first time in 17 years. Catholic Social Teaching is rooted in a belief in the inherent dignity of the human person and the sanctity of all life. Capital punishment contradicts this ethic. The death penalty not only violates the sanctity of human life, it also threatens innocent life. Despite our best efforts, our criminal justice system imperfect. Click above to learn more.

CRS is taking every precaution to continue their life-saving work. At food distributions in Ethiopia, they're providing face masks to staff and partners to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They have handwashing stations for everyone who picks up food. Meanwhile, as Ethiopia tries to contain the spread of COVID-19, access to clean water is more important than ever. CRS and USAID are working together to build integrated water systems to reach communities in some of the most remote corners of the country. Click above for more details.

The Welcome Table serves lunch to neighbors in need in White Center every Saturday. In addition, snacks and clothing are handed out. Support the meal by donating non-perishable food and supplies. Drop off donations between 11-11:30am in the back parking lot before guests arrive. Volunteers will unload it for you! Click above to learn more.

Catholic Relief Services: Teaching Irrigation Techniques in Ethiopia "Now that we use irrigation, we can earn a profit and send our children to school." ~ Ahimed Muma Hassen, Ethiopia. Through a USAID-funded project in Ethiopia, Catholic Relief Services has trained farmers on irrigation techniques and how to harness the power of technology to improve their yields. Over 2,200 families have benefitted from these practices. Visit www.crs.org for more information and to see how you can help!

Thank you to all who were able to participate in our Giving Tree and St. Vincent de Paul Food Drive. We collected nearly 600 items for the pantry and also received nearly $100 in donations for St. Vincent de Paul’s ministry. In addition, we collected gifts for 9 Sanislo Elementry children and 107 Target cards ($2675!) for all the youth at Santa Teresita Housing. This included extra cards that allowed us to help with last-minute requests from people struggling in our OLG community. You indeed offered Christ’s love and hope to our neighbors this holiday season, easing their burden a little and giving their children a little extra joy!

Thank you to all who purchased Pura Vida Fair Trade Coffee through the parish and who shopped for Ethical Trade items using our parish link. We helped artisans and farmers around the world and raised over $1500 for the parish. Funds will be split between Catholic Relief Services and our parish Outreach efforts. Our link stays live so you can continue to shop and earn for OLG throughout the year! Thank you for your ongoing support.

Calling all Young Adults (18-39) in the parish…OLG is starting a new ministry and we want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to fill out a short survey by December 20 to let us know who you are and what you want in a Young Adult ministry. Click above to access the survey and to learn more.

Catholic Relief Services’s aspirations are bold, far-reaching and based on need, not creed. To save lives and alleviate suffering. To accelerate the end of poverty, hunger and preventable diseases. And to cultivate just and peaceful societies. Last year, they served 114 countries and more than 159 million people. Click above to read more.

Did you know that over 90% of goods are shipped by sea? Seafarers of all ages and nationalities work an average of 80 hours/week to bring us these items. The Seattle Seafarers Mission, just down the hill, serves those who work on board cargo, container ships, and bulk carriers. During the holiday season, they give them “Ditty Bags” filled with gifts. You can help by sewing bags or knitting hats. Click above for patterns and more details.