Sunday, December 20, 2020 -- The Third Sunday of Advent

On the cover   "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize." Virgin and Child with Six Saints (detail). Neri di Bicci, ca. 1456. St. James Cathedral 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.
 
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 .
 
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."
 
Take Another Look at the Catholic Church You are invited to an online Cathedral program for Catholics who have been away, and are wanting to take another look at their Church. Be part of a small zoom community, ask questions, and learn about changes in the Church. The program begins Monday, January 11, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, and runs for six Monday nights. Information, Rosanne Michaels, rmichaels@stjames-cathedral.org
 
ST VINCENT DE PAUL THANKS YOU A family in another country sent their son to an American college and paid his tuition and living expenses. Then mom became seriously ill, and her medical expenses made it impossible for the family to continue supporting their son. The son was then accepted at a less expensive college. He was eager to transfer quickly to that college, but the pandemic intervened, putting his college plans on hold. Without his family's financial support, he wound up homeless and stayed in a shelter until finally finding low-income housing. Unable to attend college, he faced the added expense of an immigration attorney to avoid deportation. He took jobs delivering food and earned enough to meet his expenses in the early days of the pandemic, but as the months went by, his hours were getting fewer. He called the SVdP Helpline (206-767-6449). We visited by phone and helped by paying part of his rent, referring him to other possible sources of rent help and praying that he could return to college soon. Thank you for making our help possible! Information, Jo Ann Wiesner, 206-291-4012 or wiesnerjo@gmail.com .
 
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.

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 at www.stjames-cathedral.org for up to date information on Cathedral happenings, or to sign up for our weekly e-bulletin.
 
OUTREACH & ADVOCACY NEWSLETTER At the beginning of each month, a digital newsletter is sent out with news, information and stories about the Life, Peace and Justice ministries of the Cathedral. Recently, we've highlighted our work with immigrants, mental health services and encounters with our neighbors who are homeless. If you'd like to receive this newsletter, please send a message to outreach@stjames-cathedral.org and ask to subscribe to the newsletter.
 

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