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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.

ON THE COVER The Baptism of the Lord (detail). Eustace Ziegler, 1950. St. James Cathedral Reconciliation Chapel.

CATHEDRAL ESPRESSO. This month, all espresso sales benefit Prepares Pregnancy Support Ministry. The Espresso Cart is open at coffee hour after the 10:00am Mass.

HELP GET THE CATHEDRAL READY FOR CHRISTMAS. In preparation for Christmas, the Cathedral Guild will be having a cleaning party on Saturday, December 21. We will be working from 9 am until noon. Pizza will be provided at the end of the event. All skill levels are welcome! Information or to RSVP, Julie Sharples.

CABRINI GARAGE CLOSURE. Next Sunday, December 22, the Cabrini Medical Tower, including the garage where Cathedral parishioners park, is undergoing major maintenance and all electricity to the building and garage will be shut off. This means that the garage will not be available for Cathedral parking on Sunday, December 22. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are working on arranging alternative free parking next Sunday. Please look for signage next week to guide you to parking garages at Skyline on Ninth or Swedish on Boren Avenue.

TOY DRIVE FOR MIGRANT FAMILIES is underway! We have a special need this year for warm coats and toys as well as tax-deductible donations. If you are a youth and want to help distribute toys with the Youth Ministry on Saturday, December 21, you will need to email Curtis for a permission form. Thanks for all you do for families in need this Christmas! Information, Curtis Leighton.

CHRISTMAS GREETERS NEEDED. Each year, thousands of parishioners and visitors come to the Cathedral on Christmas Eve! We need your help to extend a warm welcome to every one of them. Please consider volunteering as a greeter to provide hospitality, answer basic questions, and hand out programs. Greeters get reserved seats for the Mass. We need greeters for both the 5:30pm Mass (greet from 4:00pm-5:15pm) and the 10:00pm Mass (greet from 7:45pm-9:00pm). Information, Corinna Laughlin.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC SOCIAL FOR SENIORS Monday, December 16, 11am–2pm St. James Cathedral Pastoral Outreach Center Holy Names Room. St. James parishioner and lifelong musician Selina Chu has been involved with the arts community in the Pacific Northwest for many years. Enjoy her sampling of traditional Christmas ‘Sing-A-Longs’ followed by a light lunch. Information or to RSVP, Nancy Granger, 206-382-4269.

WARM HEARTS & SOLES SOCK DRIVE 2019. This year we hope to collect 2,020 pairs of new socks to distribute to homeless men and women. Please consider buying an extra pair of socks during your holiday shopping, and then dropping them off at the Help Desk in the parish hall during the Sunday coffee hour this month. Volunteers will also be in the chapel after the weekend evening Masses to collect your donations. Thank you!

SOCK DRIVE VOLUNTEERS. We need young adults to help collect socks after the Saturday and Sunday Masses this month in the Cathedral Chapel. Information, Curtis Leighton.

YOUNG ADULTS, HELP DECORATE THE CATHEDRAL FOR CHRISTMAS. The Greening, our time-honored tradition of decorating the Cathedral for Christmas, will take place Sunday, December 22 at 7pm. We will have a pizza after the Sunday evening Mass and then get to work. RSVP requested. Information, Curtis Leighton.

ARE YOU CRAFTY? Do you have an hour or two to help prepare crafts for the Children’s Christmas Party and/or the Christmas oculus hanging? Information, Brenda Bellamy, 206-274-3108.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL THANKS ALL OUR DONORS for your great generosity as 2019 comes to a close. Our SVdP conference at St James Cathedral is run entirely by volunteers. We have no paid staff. In our last fiscal year, we had only about 20 volunteers at any given time. Those volunteers gladly gave 3,316 hours of service to put your funds to good use helping residents of our parish who struggle financially. Over 99% of the money we spent went directly to help the poor. Our biggest expenditures were for rent (74% of total expense) and beds (12%), with the remainder spent mostly on food, utilities, household items, furniture, security deposits and clothes. Combining your treasure, our time and the prayers of all, we make quite a team–thank you! Information, Bob Clifford, 206-718-4158.

SUPPORT THE WINTER SHELTER. Show mercy to the homeless by becoming an overnight volunteer on Saturday and Sunday nights, or by being a breakfast host on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday mornings. If you cannot be an overnight host or provide breakfast, you can support the Winter Shelter by donating: spray deodorant, large tubes of toothpaste, toothbrushes and men’s razors. Items can be brought to Coffee Hour, or dropped off or mailed to the Parish Office. Thank you! Information, Patrick Barredo, 206-382-4515.

CONSIDERING SEPARATION OR DIVORCE? Wait! There is an alternative. Retrouvaille (pronounced retrovi) has brought healing to tens of thousands of troubled marriages worldwide. Your situation may seem hopeless, but there is always hope, and you are not alone in your struggle. Confidential information and registration for upcoming program on Feb. 21-23, 2020, 206-706-2608 or www.helpourmarriage.org.

BABYSITTING is available for children up to four years of age on Sundays during the 10:00am and Noon Masses, during baptism preparation classes, and during special events for parents and families. The program is located in the Mother Cabrini Room on the first floor of the Pastoral Outreach Center; enter through the courtyard at Ninth and Columbia. Information, Suzanne Lee, 206-654-4640.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR ALL 2019 HOMELESS DEATHS Saturday, December 21, 4:20pm, Victor Steinbrueck Park (north of Pike Place Market) followed by Silent Vigil at Westlake Park. The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year. The National Coalition for the Homeless designates it "National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day." On this day, WHEEL (a grassroots organizing effort) will stand a special one-hour, candlelight, vigil to remember all the homeless men and women who have died this year outside or by violence in King County. Through November 2019, at least 107 people have died outside, in a public place, or by violence. Information, Patrick Barredo, 206-382-4515.

CENTERING IMMIGRANTS’ STORIES. Join us during National Migration Week as we celebrate immigrants. This 90-minute workshop is focused on holding space, being present, and centering the stories of immigrants. A short presentation will be followed by the opportunity to listen to immigrant’s stories in small groups. Tuesday, January 7, 6:30pm, Pastoral Outreach Center. Registration is limited to 25 participants. Information or to RSVP, Chris Koehler, 206-382-4511.

COUNT US IN 2020. Mark your calendars: King County’s Annual Point in Time Count (PIT), will be happening January 24, 2020! The core purpose of the annual PIT Count is to collect data on the needs of people experiencing homelessness in our community. The count also provides an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of homelessness and to spark action. To learn more or to register to be a part of the St. James Cathedral team, contact Patrick Barredo, 206-382-4515.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS MINISTRY. A message from Martha: “ I volunteer at the 10:00 Mass. My goal is to welcome people experiencing mental health problems or homelessness while keeping St James a safe place for all parishioners. Twenty-eight years as a Mental Health Specialist at Harborview have given me plenty of practice. A recent example of my role was when a preoccupied woman carrying all her belongings rushed toward the altar while Father Ryan was saying Mass. I quickly offered to find her a seat. The parishioners in my pew made room and we sat together for the rest of the Mass. Thanks to all of you for helping make St. James a welcoming place”. In addition to serving as an Emmaus Companion at Sunday mass, Martha also provides ministry of presence during the Coffee Hour. If you are interested in meeting Martha to learn more about what she does, or to explore how you might be able to participate in this important and rewarding ministry, contact Nancy Granger, RN, 206-382-4269.

WHAT IS THE MINDFUL ALTERNATIVE GROUP? Mindful Alternative Support Group has been offered at St. James since 2014. This group is specifically designed for parents and caregivers of adult children with serious mental illness. It provides an opportunity to share experiences related to the challenges of loving someone who lives with a brain disorder. Members discuss important issues related to treatment, housing, education, employment and how their loved one will manage their daily lives. The group helps loved ones explore thoughtful alternatives to current difficult situations. Facilitator, Terry Proctor is the dad of an adult son who lives with schizophrenia and has been facilitating groups like these for many years. The group is held on the last Saturday of the month at 3:00pm. Information, Terry Proctor, 206-915-3555, or Nancy Granger, RN 206-382-4269.

SAVE THE DATE! SAFETALK TRAINING: SUICIDE FIRST AID EDUCATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND THOSE WHO CARE FOR THEM Friday, January 17, 2020, 11am–3:30 pm. Create safety within our families, schools and communities. Learn how to approach someone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide. Specifically designed for students 15 and over, young adults, teachers, youth group leaders, faith formation instructors, coaches, camp counselors, parents, grandparents and guardians. Lunch will be provided midway through the training for the participants. Pastoral Outreach Center, 907 Columbia Street. Information, CJ Pina or Nancy Granger, RN, 206-382-4269.

PANHANDLING: A DISCIPLESHIP RESPONSE. At St. James Cathedral, we take very seriously our call to help our brothers and sisters in need. Your ongoing commitment and generosity makes possible a wide variety of outreach services at the Cathedral, including a very active St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Winter Shelter, and the Cathedral Kitchen, to name a few. However, for the safety of all our parishioners and visitors, especially the elderly, St. James Cathedral does not permit panhandling on the Cathedral grounds. (This includes the O’Dea High School property.) Unfortunately, cash given on the street often goes to support addictions. Giving money directly to individuals may allow them to survive on the streets, for a short time, but professional case management truly serves their long-term care. We believe it is much more effective to provide direct services, or to refer people to other programs and services designed to address their needs. We ask that you help support this Cathedral policy by not giving cash to panhandlers in or around the Cathedral. Information, Patrick Barredo, 206-382-4515.

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE urges anyone who suspects abuse by any Church personnel to contact local law enforcement. In addition, anyone who has knowledge of sexual abuse or misconduct by a member of the clergy, an employee or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Seattle is urged to call the archdiocesan hotline at 1-800-446-7762.

ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA. Be sure to follow the Cathedral on social media for up-to-date information about ongoing events in the life of the Cathedral! On Instagram: @stjamescathedral. On Facebook and Twitter: @stjamesseattle. Did you know the Cathedral has a podcast? Father Ryan’s homilies are available on iTunes. Just search “St. James Cathedral, Seattle” on Apple podcasts. And of course, you can always visit the Cathedral website for up to date information on Cathedral happenings. If you aren’t getting our weekly e-newsletters, be sure to check your spam folder and add St. James to your “safe senders” list!

BAPTISM OF INFANTS & YOUNG CHILDREN (under the age of 7) is celebrated monthly at one of the weekend Masses. To prepare for this most important sacrament, parents and godparents participate in a series of classes to update their understanding of baptism, to reflect on their responsibility to guide their children in the practice of the faith, and to learn about the many ways our parish supports families. Please allow at least two months for preparation. Information, Julianna Castro, 206-619-0816.

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. John in Vancouver and St. John of the Woods in Tacoma; and St. John Mission in Montesano and Mukilteo.

804 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, Washington  98104
Phone 206.622.3559  Fax 206.622.5303