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Dear Friends, The announcement this past week that Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Paul Etienne (pronounced Ā-chen), Archbishop of Anchorage, as coadjutor archbishop for the Archdiocese of Seattle, came quite unexpectedly. As coadjutor, Archbishop Etienne will become the Archbishop of Seattle when Archbishop Sartain retires. This past Monday, Archbishop Sartain explained in a letter to the people of the archdiocese his reasons for asking Pope Francis to appoint a coadjutor. As you can imagine, the decision to do so was made only after months of prayerful soul-searching and discernment, and it was made for reasons of health. Archbishop Sartain has undergone a number of very serious spinal injuries over the past several years and although the surgeries, particularly the last one, brought him significant relief, they left him with some disabling complications including a significant loss of the kind of energy and stamina needed in order to carry out his daunting responsibilities. In the end, in fairness to the people of the archdiocese, he felt the right thing would be to retire early. In typically gracious fashion, Archbishop Sartain has welcomed the appointment of Archbishop Etienne, calling him “a wonderful shepherd whose love for the Lord is expressed through a deep life of prayer and devotion to the sacraments, as well as contagious enthusiasm for the proclamation of the Gospel and service to those in need.” I had the opportunity last Monday to meet Archbishop Etienne and to give him a tour of the Cathedral. He’s a warm and gracious man—kind, good-humored, rooted in God, a true servant of the Gospel, in love with God’s people. And, you’ll be happy to know that it didn’t take him long at all to realize what a beautiful Cathedral we have! Archbishop Etienne will be formally welcomed and installed as coadjutor archbishop at a Mass here in the Cathedral on Friday, June 7, at 2:00 in the afternoon. Then, sometime down the road, at a time yet to be determined, Archbishop Sartain will turn over the reins to him as his successor. In the meantime, I know you will join me in praying for Archbishop Sartain. His presence here and his ministry over the past nine years have been a singular blessing for this local church and for this Cathedral. Speaking personally, I have been especially blessed in the warm and fraternal relationship we have enjoyed. Please pray for him as he completes his loving ministry in our midst, and pray, too, for his peace as he looks to the future. And please pray for Archbishop Etienne as he prepares to begin his ministry here among us. Even though he has expressed genuine excitement about it, this must be a bittersweet moment for him as he leaves Anchorage, and I’m sure he will be deeply grateful for the support of your prayers.
WELCOME, VISITORS! If you are a visitor to the Cathedral, we want you to know how welcome you are – whether you have come from another part of the country, from across the world, or simply from another parish here in the Archdiocese. For more information about the parish, to register, or to ask a question, visit our Sunday Help Desk at Coffee Hour. A Cathedral staff person will be on hand to assist you. Be sure to stop by the Cathedral Bookstore after Mass for a wide selection of Cathedral souvenirs as well as Catholic books and gifts.
SEND A MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY TO OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS AT THE BORDER. Come to the Immigrant Assistance table at coffee hour after 10:00am Mass today write a note of solidarity to those on the border. These cards will be hand-delivered by the team going to El Paso, Texas in July. Information, Caroline Okello, 206-382-4511. CHILDREN’S PROCESSION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NOON MASS. We invite all children to celebrate Mary’s month by joining in a rosary-themed procession today. Meet in the West Vestibule at 11:53am. Parents, please accompany very young children. SCAM ALERT. Cybercrime is hitting dioceses nationwide. If you receive a message from Father Ryan asking for help or requesting you to purchase a gift card, please delete it. It is a scam! When in doubt, contact the parish office to verify the legitimacy of any communication you receive from the parish. Thank you! Information, Maria Laughlin, 206-382-4284. IS SEATTLE DYING? According to the annual Point in Time count, there is a rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness in our region. On Thursday, May 16, there will be a dinner conversation based on Seattle is Dying, a TV documentary that raises questions about what must be done. Space is limited and RSVP required. Information, Patrick Barredo, 206-382-4515. YOUTH MIGRANT PROJECT. Youth ages 14 and up are welcome to join us July 21-26 for a week of service, solidarity and fun in the Skagit Valley’s migrant work camps and Tri-Parish food bank. The deadline to register is May 12. Space is limited, so act fast! Information or to receive a registration packet, Curtis Leighton. MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, a time to pray, support and fight stigma for people affected by mental illness and their families in our parish, city and country. Did you know…
Information, Nancy Granger, Parish Mental Health Nurse, 206-382-4269, or visit www.stjames-cathedral.org/education/mentalhealth.aspx. CRS RICE BOWL. If you have not yet done so, you can still turn in your Rice Bowl. Please convert your CRS Rice Bowl gifts into checks made out to St. James Cathedral for easier counting. Be sure to write “CRS Rice Bowl” on the memo line, and then place your gift into the collection basket at Mass. Thank you for your generosity! Did you know that 25% of Rice Bowl funds remain in this archdiocese? St. James Cathedral receives some of those funds to support the Cathedral Garden, which provides fresh produce for the Cathedral Kitchen! SEATTLE PRO MUSICA CONCERT Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19, 8:00pm. The concert features Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvald's Passion and Resurrection for choir, soprano soloist, and string orchestra; as well as Frank Martin’s soaring Mass for Double Choir and the world premiere of Panta Rhei, a new work by Seattle Pro Musica’s conductor, Karen P. Thomas. Information, www.seattlepromusica.org or 206-781-2766. Pay-what-you-can parishioner passes: musicoffice@stjames-cathedral.org or 206-382-4874.
CUSTODIAN POSITION. St. James Cathedral has a temporary opening for a Custodian to perform basic janitorial and floor care responsibilities. This person will also work with the Cathedral Facilities staff in setting up for special events and basic maintenance tasks. This is a full time position estimated to be 3 to 4 months in duration. To receive a job description and details, interested applicants should download the Seattle Archdiocesan Job Application at http://www.seattlearchdiocese.org/Assets/HR/EmploymentApp2018Parish.pdf and send it via e-mail to Tang Nguyen.
PARISH REMEMBRANCE: Throughout the year, because we are the Cathedral Church, we remember in prayer at Mass and Vespers each of the parishes and missions of the Archdiocese of Seattle on a Sunday near their feast day. This week we pray for the parishes of St. Philip in Woodland and St. Rita in Tacoma, and St. Joseph the Worker Mission in Yacolt.
 804 Ninth Avenue Seattle, Washington 98104 Phone 206.622.3559 Fax 206.622.5303 |
ON THE COVER
“To the one who sits on the throne and to
the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might.” Detail
of the central East Apse stained-glass window. Hans
Gottfried von Stockhausen, artist.