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Click here to view an album of preparations for the Centennial Celebration!
NEW!  View the article and album at the Catholic Northwest Progress
NEW!  View a slide show of photos by Mike Penney (PDF format)

On the steps of the rectory, Archbishop Brunett and Bishop Tyson watched the procession of more than 400 parish representatives, sisters, and ecumenical leaders, and 100 priests.  Archbishop Brunett carried the historic Blanchet crosier. Women from the Swinomish and Lummi nations led the procession. Two young people from St. Aloysius take their place in the procession. The Knights of Columbus, together with the Order of Malta, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre (see picture below), and the Knights of Peter Claver, formed a dramatic honor guard. The Polish Community from St. Margaret's parish carry their wonderful hand-painted banner featuring Our Lady of Czestochowa.  www.photobymike.com Here, the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver flank the stairs during the great procession. More than 100 of the priests of the Archdiocese of Seattle watch the procession from the steps of the Pastoral Outreach Center. Women religious, including Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Sisters of Providence, Tacoma Dominicans, Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and Carmelite Nuns--all orders who have had a special connection with St. James Cathedral over the years--join in the procession. In the vestibule, servers give honor to a reliquary bust of St. James, which contains a true relic of our heavenly patron. The Deacons of the Mass, Deacon Eckert and Deacon Warfield.  Deacon Joe Curtis also assisted at the Mass. As the parishes entered, their banners were placed at the piers.  The special banner stands were engineered by sacristan David Olsen.  www.photobymike.com Father William Gallagher, pastor of St. James Cathedral from 1973-1988.  Father Gallagher was also present at the Golden Jubilee of the Cathedral in 1957! Five bishops joined in the celebration--Archbishop Brunett, our retired Archbishop Hunthausen, Bishop Joe Tyson, as well as visiting bishops--Archbishop Hurley of Anchorage and Bishop Connolly of Baker. The Cathedral was packed for this historic celebration.  Representatives of more than 100 parishes, Cathedral parishioners, ecumenical leaders, civic leaders, and hundreds more all joined together in praise and thanksgiving. We were privileged to welcome leaders from many Christian churches as well as interfaith representatives.  www.photobymike.com Father Ryan and Archbishop Brunett sprinkled the assembly with the holy water that recalls our baptism.  www.photobymike.com Representatives of many cultural communities prepare for the procession to light the dedication candles. www.photobymike.com During the Gloria, the dedication candles were lit. Archbishop Brunett said:  "all who come to this Cathedral have their eyes drawn heavenward to its glass oculus, this eye in the center of the Cathedral.  And what do they see? They see in writing the solemn pledge and covenant of Jesus growing from his Passover meal.  I am in your midst as one who serves.” Read Archbishop's entire homily here.  www.photobymike.com Women religious read the prayers of intercession. There is no better way to give thanks than the celebration of the Eucharist, our sign of faith and bread of life. www.photobymike.com At the conclusion of the Mass, Father Ryan offered an invitation to the reception.  He said:  "After 100 years, the Cathedral still holds its surprises and secrets.  And one of them is the cornerstone... After months of searching, we still don't know where it is.  And maybe we're not supposed to.  Maybe this is a metaphor because Christ is the true Cornerstone of this place and the people who come here to pray and to serve are the living stones of the Cathedral--more important than any bricks or marble, glass or bronze.  You are those people and you make this a blessed and holy place--with or without a granite cornerstone!" James "the Greatest" joined in the procession at the end of Mass. www.photobymike.com After Mass, people came up for a closer look at the wonderful variety of banners created by parishes. And after the Mass--fresh-squeezed lemonade, ice cream, strawberry shortcake, a brass band, and centennial souvenirs! Seattle Police Officer Kevin Smith--shown here with Father Ryan--sports an authentic SPD uniform from the turn of the century.  www.photobymike.com Hundreds and hundreds of people signed the beautiful Centennial scroll which will be placed in a Centennial time capsule high in the Cathedral's north tower. Archbishop Brunett and Bishop Tyson were the first to sign the Centennial scroll. Sister Frances Wink came from Portland for the celebration, and Archbishop Hunthausen from faraway Montana!  They are joined here by Marianne Cote.

View photos of the preparations here

Download a PDF of the Order of Celebration here
View an album with more photos at the Seattle P-I

Photos by M. Laughlin unless otherwise indicated

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