Sunday, December 6, 2020 -- The Second Sunday of Advent

On the cover Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. The Baptism of the Lord (detail). Eustace Ziegler, artist. St. James Cathedral Reconciliation Chapel.
 
WEEKDAY MASSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Each day from Monday through Saturday, an 8:00am Mass is celebrated in the Cathedral. All are welcome to attend without prior registration. On Tuesdays, the 8:00am Mass is followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with rosary at 12 Noon.
 
CONFESSIONS IN ADVENT Traditionally, Advent is a time to confess our sins as part of our preparation for Christmas. We have expanded hours for confession this month for those who wish to do so. Please note these special times for confessions: Confessions will be heard on Saturdays, December 5, 12, and 19 at 2:00pm in the Cathedral Chapel. Confessions will also be heard on Wednesday mornings, December 9, 16, and 23, following the 8:00am Mass. All are welcome without appointment or registration.
 
Dorothy Day: The World will be saved by beauty Tuesday, December 8, 11:30am. Kate Hennessy, author of this intimate portrait of Dorothy Day, shares memories and lessons learned from her grandmother, the co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement. Ms. Hennessy will join us via Zoom from Ireland as she offers a frank and reflective, heartfelt and humorous portrayal of Dorothy Day. Registration, Patrick Barredo, pbarredo@stjames-cathedral.org .
 
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION IS DECEMBER 8 Masses in the Cathedral for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be on Tuesday, December 8 at 8:00am and 10:30am. All are welcome without prior registration; check in at the Terry and Marion corner of the block.
 
Fratelli Tutti on Migration The Catholic Bishops of the United States have consistently called for welcoming immigrants. Pope Francis' newest encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, speaks to this and other concerns, and is worth studying closely. Join us on Thursday, December 10 for a discussion on the theme of migration in Fratelli Tutti. Information or to RSVP, Chris Koehler, ckoehler@stjames-cathedral.org .

SIMBANG GABI On Saturday, December 12, at 11:00am, Archbishop Etienne will celebrate the annual Mass to bless parols (star-shaped lanterns) in preparation for the Simbang Gabi novena of Masses, which will take place in parishes around the Archdiocese. The Mass is not open to the public this year but you are invited to join in via livestream! https://vimeo.com/archdioceseofseattle
 
ST VINCENT DE PAUL THANKS YOU A young woman with homelessness and jail time in her background participated in a program for people trying to rebuild their lives. She got an apartment and her rent was subsidized for a period of time. Then she found a job as a janitor that would pay just enough to meet her living expenses going forward, including rent because the rent subsidy was ending. Shortly before her first rent payment was due, she discovered she would also have to pay the landlord for utilities and renter's insurance. And she was shocked to learn the charges for utilities had been accumulating and the unpaid balance was already large. She asked SVdP for help. Good news is she and her landlord worked out a payment plan so she could pay off the balance over time, and SVdP made a payment on her rent to free up part of her first paycheck so she could start paying down that utilities bill. Your help made that possible; thank you! Information, Jo Ann Wiesner, 206-291-4012 or wiesnerjo@gmail.com 
 
Care for creation tip Advent is a time to prepare for what is to come. Mindful that we are on this Earth for a brief moment of time, we work to ensure that our common home will be able to be enjoyed by many generations to follow. In his new encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis says that, "To care for the world in which we live means to care for ourselves." On this First Sunday of Advent, consider what is one habit you have that might not be so environmentally conscious, and how can you change it so as to better care for the world, for yourself and for future generations.
 
FAITH AND RACIAL HEALING Mondays, 6:30pm-9pm starting on January 18, 2021. Through new learning from articles, videos, and resource books, the Faith and Racial Justice small group program from JustFaith Ministries lends new insights to participants' awareness of privilege and racism. By encouraging new spiritual practices and informed action, it cultivates an expanding community of Christians who work to dismantle racism in their respective contexts. This process will challenge your own thinking about racism, its causes, and its impact, while helping you discern practical steps to address it. Information and registration, Patrick Barredo, pbarredo@stjames-cathedral.org.

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. And of course, you can always visit the Cathedral website at www.stjames-cathedral.org for up to date information on Cathedral happenings, or to sign up for our weekly e-bulletin.
 
LOOKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS MASSES Masses on Christmas Eve, December 24, will be at 4:00pm, 6:00pm, and 10:00pm. On Christmas Day, December 25, Masses will be at 8:00am, 10:00am, and 12 Noon. Registration will be required for all Masses and each Mass will be limited to 200 persons. Registration will open on December 21. Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter to get early notice when registration opens. Visit www.stjames-cathedral.org and click  "Join our mailing list."
 
ARE YOU A REGISTERED PARISHIONER AT ST. JAMES? Many who attend St. James regularly and consider the Cathedral their parish have never officially registered. We strongly encourage you to register. Registered parishioners receive important mailings from the Cathedral (including offering envelopes!). You can register online at www.stjames-cathedral.org.
 
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC CCatholic Community Services/Catholic Housing Services (CCS/CHS) has asked the Cathedral to provide meals for their day centers and shelters. Unopened store-bought casseroles and unopened sandwich-ingredients are greatly appreciated. In addition, toiletries, canned ready-to-eat meals, cup of noodles, individual servings of chips, crackers, granola bars and cereals have been requested. Deliver food to Cathedral Hall (803 Terry Ave.), Tuesdays, 9am to 11am. Information, Patrick Barredo, pbarredo@stjames-cathedral.org.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOD'S BLESSINGS to the following children, baptized in the Cathedral last month: Levi Agana Calaunan, Zoie-Lyn Rodrigo Belen, Ida Maria Mlekarov, Angel Joseph Mlekarov, and Otto San Gil Respicio.
 
REST IN PEACE Please pray for the repose of the soul of Efren Belleza.
 

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 Immaculate Conception in Seattle and Everett, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Seattle, and St. Mary of Guadalupe in Ridgefield.