THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (Year B). (June 2, 2024). (Ex 24:3-8, Heb 9:11-15, Mk 14:12-16, 22-26). “…Take…eat…this IS my body…Take and drink…This IS my blood…” Introduction: The feast and its objectives: Today, we celebrate the solemn feast of Corpus Christi. It is three feasts in one: the feast of the Eucharistic sacrifice, the feast of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the feast of the Real Presence of Jesus. Significance/Importance: It is a feast established by Pope Urban called “Corpus Christi”, and extended to the universal Church for three purposes: 1) to give God collective thanks for Christ’s abiding presence with us in the Eucharist and to honor him there; 2) to instruct the people in the Mystery, Faith, and devotion surrounding the Eucharist, and 3) to teach us to appreciate and make use of the great gift of the Holy Eucharist, both as a Sacrament and as a sacrifice. Although we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday, our mother the Church wants to emphasize its importance by a special feast, formerly called “Corpus Christi.” Life Message: Today’s Gospel details how Jesus converted this ancient ritual into a Sacrament and sacrifice. Instead of the lamb’s blood, Jesus offered his own Divine/human Body and Blood, and instead of sprinkling us with blood, Jesus put It into our hands as food and drink: "Take … eat … this IS my Body which will be given up for you" (He did not say "This represents my body”), and “Take … drink …This IS … my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal Covenant, which will be poured out for you, and for many (nor did He say, “This represents my blood…”) for the forgiveness of sins”. Summary: Today’s first reading describes how Moses, by sprinkling the blood of a sacrificed animal on the altar and on the people, accepted the Covenant Yahweh proposed and made with His People. In the second reading, St. Paul affirms that Jesus sealed the New Covenant with his own Blood, thereby putting an end to animal sacrifices. Conclusion: 1) Let us appreciate the “Real Presence” of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, by receiving Him with true repentance for our sins, due preparation, and reverence. 2) Let us be Christ-bearers and conveyers: How? By receiving Holy Communion, we become Christ-bearers as Mary was, with the duty of conveying Christ to others at home-homebound ministry-, in the workplace, and everywhere else, through love, mercy, forgiveness, and humble, self-giving, sacrificial service. Therefore, as we gather at this Eucharistic Feast of the Corpus Christi, let us offer our lives on the altar along with Jesus’ sacrifice, asking pardon for our sins, expressing gratitude and thanks, for the blessings we have received and presenting our needs and petitions on the altar. And as we actively participate, let these words of Christ always resonate in our minds and hearts: “…Take…eat…this IS my body…Take and drink…This IS my blood…”

Ladies of the parish, the St. Barbara Women's Group is inviting you! Join us for a delightful Spring Tea Time event on May 19th, 1-3 pm, in the parish hall. We're excited to host Cameron Bellm, presenting "Women of Wisdom: Praying with the Saints." RSVP Here Let's enjoy tea, refreshments, and enriching conversations together! Date: May 19th, 2024 Time: 1pm to 3 pm Location: St. Barbara Parish Hall Who: All Women of St. Barbara Parish RSVP Date: May 13th We suggest dressing in your Sunday best, but please wear what makes you most comfortable. If you have any questions or need help to RSVP, feel free to reach out to: Sarah at sarahmidles@gmail.com 425-205-1849 or Emily at emilysimburger@gmail.com, 701-330-5753

Bloodwork's Northwest Blood Drive . This event will take place in the parish hall. Come and support our community. Sign up for a time here May 9th https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/68814 May 10th https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/68815

Solemnity of the HOLY TRINITY 5/26/2024 Dt 4:32-34, 39-40; Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20. “…Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning…” Introduction: The mystery of the most Holy Trinity is a basic doctrine of Faith in Christianity, understandable not with our heads but with our hearts. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature, co-equal and co-eternal called the “Holy Trinity”. St. John Maria Vianney used to explain “Holy Trinity” using lighted candles, roses on the altar, and water in the cruets. “The flame has color, warmth and shape. But these are expressions of one flame. Similarly, the rose has color, fragrance and shape. But these are expressions of one reality, namely, rose. Water, steam, and ice are three distinct expressions of one reality. In the same way one God revealed Himself to us as Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.” -The Triune God!!! Bottomline: Today’s feast invites us to live in the awareness of the presence of the Triune God within us: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This means, we have the Father Who is the Creator, the Son Who is the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit Who is the Sanctifier and the Counselor. Thus, as Catholic Christians, in every activity we undertake, we bless ourselves with the Sign of the Cross-In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit invoking the Name of the Eternal Holy Trinity. Indeed, today’s readings convey the fundamental mystery that, the Triune God reaches out to people with love, seeking the deepest communion with them. Hence, faith in the Triune God acknowledges the might and majesty of God but, at the same time, trusts in His loving care and intimate knowledge of our needs and of what is happening in our lives. Conclusion: We are called to become more like the Triune God through all our relationships. We are made in God’s image and likeness. Just as God is God only in a Trinitarian relationship, so we can be fully human only as one member of a relationship of three partners. By this I mean, that the self needs to be in a horizontal relationship with all other people and in a vertical relationship with God. In that way our life will be “Trinitarian”, just like that of God. Modern society follows the so-called “I-and-I” principle of unbridled individualism and the resulting consumerism. But the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity challenges us to adopt an "I-and-God-and-neighbor" principle: “I am a Christian insofar as I live in a relationship of love with God and other people.” May the Son (the Way, the Truth, and the Life) lead us to the Father Almighty, (The Unmoved Mover), through the Holy Spirit, (The Advocate), to live with the Triune God forever and ever. Amen.

Join Us! Thursday 3:00-4:30pm Lower parish meeting rooms A brand new 24-week study on the story of salvation throughout the scriptures. If you have questions or wish to register, please contact Allison Ramirez at allison@stbarbarachurch.org

Scheduling Vendors for 2024! Join us for St. Barbara’s Fall Artisan Bazaar on October 26th, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM , located at 32416 6th Ave. Black Diamond, WA 98010. We invite artisans to showcase their handcrafted treasures at our event. Tables are available for rent at $50 each or $80 for two tables. Alternatively, if you provide your own table, it's $40 per table or $70 for two. Secure your spot by submitting a signed application (Documents Below) and merchandise description by October 1st, 2024. Please note that space is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Vendors are kindly asked to donate an item valued at $10-$15 for our raffle. For further inquiries or to reserve your space, please contact Zack Midles at 360-789-5589 or email zmidles@gmail.com . Let's make this bazaar a vibrant celebration of creativity and community! Additional details below: - 2 chairs provided; vendors responsible for table covers and display materials. - Set up begins at 7:00 AM on October 26th; assistance with unloading will be available. - Vendors are requested to remain open until the bazaar concludes at 3PM on October 26th. - Parking available in the church parking lot behind the hall. Required Documents For further inquiries or to submit an application, please contact Zack Midles at 360-789-5589 or email zmidles@gmail.com

Sunday, April 28th Following 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. mass Parish Hall Come join The Knights of Columbus for good food and fellowship after both of the morning masses. We will have ham, Sausage, eggs, fruit and, of course, Basha's famous pancakes! Don't miss out on the good meal and helping us support our worthy charities which include improvements to St. Barbara Church, Coats for Kids, sponsoring our Seminarian and our Scholarship fund. See you there!

Treat your little ones to pizza, games, a fun project, and a movie, $5 suggested donation, but not required to participate. It's a fantastic opportunity for them to have a blast with friends while you focus on strengthening your bond as a couple. Date: Saturday, April 27th Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Location: St. Barbara Parish Hall RSVP by April 22nd Please RSVP Link

6th.Sunday of Easter (Year B). May 5, 2024 Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48;1Jn.4:7-10; John 15:9-17. Do you wish to be fruitful and abound in the love of God? What does it mean to be a friend of God? Friendship with God certainly entails a loving relationship which goes beyond mere duty and obedience. The distinctive feature of Jesus' relationship with his disciples was his personal love for them. Remember, “Jesus loved his own to the end” (John 13:1). His love was unconditional and wholly directed to the good of others. His love was also sacrificial. He gave the best he had and all that he had. He gave his very life for those he loved, in order to secure for them everlasting life with the Father. Life Message: Do you wish to be fruitful and to abound in the love of God? The Lord Jesus tells us that he is our friend, he loves us whole-heartedly and unconditionally. He wants us to love one another just as he loves us, whole-heartedly and without reserve. His love fills our hearts and transforms our minds and frees us to give ourselves loving service to others. Thus, our love for God and our willingness to lay down our life for others is a response to the exceeding love God has given us in Christ. Hence, in life, if we always open our hearts to his love and obey his command to love our neighbor, then we will bear much fruit in our lives, fruit that will last for eternity. Conclusion: The Lord Jesus gives his followers a new commandment - a new way of love that goes beyond giving only what is required or what we think others might deserve. It is a love to the death - a purifying love that overcomes selfishness, fear, and pride. It is a total giving of oneself for the sake of others - a selfless and self-giving love that is oriented towards putting the welfare of others ahead of myself. Indeed, “…Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”, says the Lord. Do you wish to be fruitful and to abound in the love of God? Then, “beloved let’s love one another, because love is of God…Whoever doesn’t love, doesn’t know God, for God is Love” (1Jn.4:7-8). AMEN!!

5th. Sunday of Easter (Year B). (April 28, 2024): “I am the true vine…My Father prunes every branch that doesn’t bear fruit, so that it bears more fruit…” Introduction: Today’s Scripture selections emphasize the need for Christians to abide in Christ as a condition (condictio sine qua non) for producing the Spirit’s fruits of kindness, mercy, charity, and holiness. Life Message: True Story: In the late 1980s, a fire destroyed a building on the lower East side of Manhattan. An alarm was sounded, and the trucks and personnel arrived in plenty of time to fight the fire. The people got out of the building quickly and in order. However, When the firemen arrived, and with their hoses ready to jump into action, it was discovered too late, that the city water line had never been connected to this part of the system- a deadly oversight indeed! Today’s Gospel explains why Jesus must be the pivotal point in our lives, through the little parable of the vine and the branches. This metaphor is an invitation to stay close to Jesus, but be aware that, there is a need at times to for us to be pruned to bear more fruit abundantly. In short, to live a human life disconnected from the living God is tragic as well. Jesus did more than come to live among us. He is the life-giving vine, and we are the branches. And so he says today: “I am the true vine…My Father, the dresser, prunes every branch that doesn’t bear fruit, so that it bears more fruit…” Conclusion: St. Paul experienced this reality. As Saul, he had been on top of the world, but God had another plan that required him to be trimmed back. Thus, the Lord intervened in his life, blinded him temporarily, and eventually converted him to the new way of life. Despite all this Paul didn’t have life on a silver platter. All of us have had the experience of being cut back, pruned by God, but what has been our reaction? Have we grown angry, thrown in the towel, and given up? Young people in school are cut back when they fail to achieve their goals. General life challenges-ill health, financial problems, and addictive behavior-are ways God prunes us back. Bottomline, we must all allow God to cut us down-a reality that is hard to accept! Hence strengthened by the Eucharist, may we be open to the action of the vine grower, and thereby stay strongly attached to Jesus, apart from whom we can do nothing, but connected to whom we can find eternal life. For, “I am the true vine…My Father, the dresser, prunes every branch that doesn’t bear fruit, so that it bears more fruit…”

Are you curious to explore and deepen your Catholic faith? Join us on a meaningful journey where we gather to discuss and reflect on our beliefs in the context of today's world. Together, we'll draw from the wellsprings of scripture, tradition, faith narratives, Catholic social teachings, the wisdom of saints, and various other enriching resources. When: Every Wednesday evening, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Starting: September 13, 2023 Where: Lower level of the church, Room L No registration is required. Feel free to attend one, some, or all gatherings. For questions, Contact: Valerie Winston Healy Pastoral Associate Email: paa@stbarbarachurch.org Phone: 360-886-2229, ext. 227 Come and join us in this space where Catholics come together to discuss and deepen their understanding of their faith.