St. Barbara
Catholic Church
Black Diamond, WA

The Power of Gratitude The Power of Gratitude Gratitude is a powerful gift that transforms our hearts and opens our eyes to the many blessings around us. As we go through our busy lives, it is easy to focus on what we lack or what still needs to be done. But today, I invite you to pause and reflect on the importance of being grateful and giving thanks. The Bible teaches us that gratitude is a vital way to grow closer to God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are reminded to give th

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,   Our parish will soon host Partners in the Gospel listening sessions, and I warmly invite you to participate. These sessions are opportunities for our community to share what nourishes our faith, what challenges our parish, and how we can better serve families, form disciples, and reach those who have drifted away. Your experience, concerns, and hopes are vital to shaping how we move forward together.   Why attend? •         Your voice he

Dear Parish Family, In our journey as disciples of Christ, we are called not only to care for the physical needs of others but also to tend to the needs of the soul. This is where the Spiritual Works of Mercy come into focus: seven beautiful and challenging ways we are invited to love others as Christ loves us. While the Corporal Works of Mercy address tangible, bodily needs (feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, etc.), the Spiritual Works of Mercy remind us that the s

The Need For Pentecost   I have just finished the 2025 Pentecost Today National Leaders Meeting & Conference in Houston, Texas. What an amazing experience and blessing to meet people from all over the country who are praying for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit to move in our Church.   There is a special grace whenever we are open and docile to the activity of the Holy Spirit. St. Bonaventure once said, “The Holy Spirit comes where He is loved, where He is invited, where H

An Introduction to the Works of Michael O’Brien This week, I’d like to highlight the work of a modern Catholic voice who continues to inspire readers around the world: Michael O’Brien. He is one of my favorite authors, and his books have been a tremendous blessing to me over the years. A Canadian author, painter, and speaker, Michael O’Brien is perhaps best known for his acclaimed novel Father Elijah: An Apocalypse, published by Ignatius Press in 1996. This powerful work blen

Fall, the Rosary, & Safety Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I have such cherished memories from childhood, whether it was hunting for mushrooms, deer hunting, or learning to grow in the art of photography. Fall also reminds us of our vulnerability. As the weather turns colder and more unpredictable, we are reminded how fragile we are, and how quickly our routines and sense of security can be disrupted. Yesterday, I was deeply

Prayer Meeting Starts Again Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It’s great to be back with you after our Camino journey. Thanks again for all of your prayers while we were away.  I first want to thank everyone who worked so hard to help with the planning and follow through of our All Parish Family Picnic last Sunday. It was an incredible blessing to see everyone come together for such our second celebration of this annual event.  Secondly, I want to use this Pastor’s Column

St. Barbara Women’s Group – September Gathering Drawn Into His Heart: Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist We invite you to join us for our September Women’s Group Gathering at St. Barbara Church. This month, we welcome guest speaker Danielle Curl, Director of Catechesis at Sacred Heart Church , who will share an inspiring talk on encountering Jesus in the Eucharist. Event Details: Date:  Sunday, September 28, 2025 Time:  2:00 pm Location:  St. Barbara Church Parish Hall Adora

A Church on Fire: Reigniting Our Zeal for Evangelization This Sunday’s readings offer a sobering and timely challenge for the Church...

You are warmly invited to join us at St. Barbara Catholic Church  for a special Mass for the Unborn  on Saturday, October 4th 2025. ...

Dear Brothers in Sisters in Christ,   Greetings from the Camino! We are currently in O Porriño, Spain as we continue our journey to...

We’re excited to announce the return of Children’s Liturgy of the Word  at St. Barbara Catholic Church  during the 10:00 AM Mass ! This...

Thank You! I would like to thank everyone who participated in our recent Partners in the Gospel survey. I realize the summer months are...

Nothing Is impossible with God For many years, I was privileged to be part of the Sacred Heart Radio  program with Fr. Kurt Nagel and Dr....

Join St. Barbara Catholic Church for Black Diamond Labor Days! Volunteers Needed – Be Part of the Parade & Parish Booth! Or come visit us...

Time to get excited for Oktoberfest 2025, hosted by the Knights of Columbus! Join us on  October 11th at 6:00 PM  for a lively evening of food, fellowship, and fundraising at St. Barbara’s Oktoberfest — where German fare, festive fun, and exciting auction items come together to support and grow our community! Tickets are on sale now! Tickets are $50 each ($45 for ages 65+) Tickets can be purchased by emailing Katie Quinn at quinnkatie88@gmail.com or texting her at 509.270.38

I have frequently shared with you a phrase that surrounded a Christian bookstore in Auburn years ago, when I served my first pastorate at...

A Little Humor Many years ago, someone emailed me a list of bulletin bloopers which I shared during a retreat. One skeptical participant...

Benedict XVI On Leisure & Reading The Bible Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Last weekend I spoke on the need for our busy culture to...

Perseverance Shortly after I arrived in the parish last year, I received a book from Dynamic Catholic called 33 Days to Eucharistic...