The Knights of Columbus will be selling red poinsettias for your home after each mass on December 7 - 8th and 14 - 15 th with a suggested donation of $15. A majority of proceeds will be going to help KOC charitable programs. Use the Christmas Flower Envelopes in your pews if you would like to purchase a poinsettia for the church decor in honor of a loved one. The name of your loved one will be listed in the Christmas bulletin. The deadline for purchasing a flower in honor of a loved one is Dec 22nd.

December 15th, 2024 5 to 7pm Parish Social Hall Save the date for our all Parish Christmas party. All ages are welcome. Come enjoy an evening of fun. Please bring a food item to share, main dish, side dish or dessert. See you there.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, let’s come together as a parish family to ready our church for this joyous season. This is a wonderful opportunity to show love and care for our sacred spaces, while sharing fellowship with one another. Whether you’re a longtime parishioner or new to the community, your help will make a difference as we create a warm and welcoming environment for all who gather to worship this Christmas. Who:  All St. Barbara Parishioners What:  Church Cleanup Day Where:  Narthex, Pews, Flooring, Sanctuary, and the Little Saints Room When:  Saturday, December 21st, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Why:  To prepare our sacred spaces for the joyous celebration of Christmas! If you are able to please bring rags/cloths to help wipe down the pews and other items. Event Schedule: 10:00 - 10:15 AM : Meet in the Hall for snacks, coffee, and prayer 10:15 - 10:30 AM : Cleaning plan overview and supply distribution 10:30 - 11:20 AM : Cleanup across all designated spaces 11:20 - 11:30 AM : Wrap-up and final touches Let’s work together with joy and gratitude as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We can’t wait to see you there! ✨ If you have any other questions please email Riza at Rsuriben08@gmail.com

At Christmas, we celebrate more than just the birth of a child in a manger. We mark the unbreakable bond God forms with humanity—a bond born of love, compassion, and a profound desire to be near us. In the quiet, holy moment of Christ’s birth, God reaches down to us, offering us the dignity of being His children, inviting us into a relationship of mutual love and understanding. This is the true meaning of Christmas: God’s infinite love, made manifest in the most unexpected of places—a humble stable in Bethlehem. But this love, which God so generously extends, calls us to something deeper. It calls us to empty ourselves—of our pride, our distractions, our false securities—so that we can truly embrace the gift of Christ. It’s in this emptying that we make room for the fullness of God's presence in our lives. Only by surrendering our own will can we experience the profound mystery of Christmas in its fullness. The German priest and theologian Alfred Delp, who lived through the hardships of Nazi Germany, reminds us that even in the darkest times, the Christmas message calls us to hope. In the face of despair, we are invited to live differently—not in resignation, but in anticipation of God’s transformative work in the world. “We will go on waiting, watching, and praying until the star rises,” he wrote. This Christmas, we too are called to wait, to watch, and to pray with the certainty that God’s light will pierce through even the darkest moments of our lives. Delp’s words echo an important truth: without embracing our humanity—our dignity as created and beloved children of God—we are not truly capable of connecting with God. We are not capable of understanding the fullness of His love or the richness of His grace. Yet, even when we fall short, God's grace is already at work, prompting us, healing us, and making us ready to receive His love more deeply.  Christmas invites us to open our hearts to this grace, allowing God’s Spirit to work in us. In the midst of the chaos and hardship of life, we are called to trust that this very moment—the one we are living in right now—is the place and the time where God can bring about a new birth in us. Even when we feel battered by life's storms, even when the world seems dark and heavy, we are assured that the light of Christ shines through. The gift of Christmas is not just a one-time event; it is the ongoing invitation to let Christ be born anew in our hearts. This Christmas, may we remember that our dignity as children of God is inseparable from His love and grace. Let us empty ourselves of all that distracts us, that we may make room for the hope, peace, and joy that Christmas offers. And in the midst of uncertainty, let us trust that the star will rise, guiding us to a new birth, a new beginning, and a renewed hope for all humanity. Merry Christmas, and may the peace of Christ fill your hearts and homes this season and always. In Christ, Fr. Jim Pastor

Joy Surrounds Us! As we gather to celebrate Gaudete Sunday, we are invited to rejoice in the midst of our Advent preparations. The term“Gaudete", which means "rejoice" in Latin, reflects the joyous tone that characterizes this Sunday in the Advent season. With Christmas approaching, our hearts are filled with hope and anticipation. Our readings today remind us that true joy is found in our relationship with God. Zephaniah calls us to rejoice and exult with all our heart, for God is with us, bringing us comfort and salvation. St. Paul encourages the Philippians—and us—to "rejoice in the Lord always"; This joy is rooted not in our circumstances but in the assurance of God’s presence in our lives. The Gospel passage presents John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus. His call to repentance emphasizes that our joy must also inspire action. As we reflect on our lives, let us consider how we can share this joy with others. Perhaps we can reach out to those who are lonely or in need, spreading the light and love of Christ during this season. This Sunday, we will light the rose-colored candle on our Advent wreath, symbolizing joy and hope. As we gaze upon this candle, let it remind us to celebrate the good news of God's love and the coming of Christ into our world. I hope that amid the challenges you are facing, you feel the love and presence of God, who is so close to us in Christ. I love getting up in the morning and praying the Liturgy of the Hours (Psalter Week 1), especially when I come across the beautiful words of Psalm 5, verse 8: “But I, through the greatness of your love, have access to your house. I bow down before your holy temple, filled with awe.” We do have access to the throne of grace and mercy, and on this Gaudete Sunday, may the Holy Spirit warm our hearts with the knowledge that our God is so close to us. in Christ, Fr. Jim Pastor

We are excited to announce the start of two special programs for our children this season! These programs are designed to help young hearts grow in their understanding of the faith, fostering a deep connection with God through meaningful experiences. Please Register, Select and download the form below Email complete form to faithformation@stbarbarachurch.org Or turn in paper copy to parish office Pay online link https://osvhub.com/stbarbarachurch/giving/funds/faith-formation-fees 1. First Communion & First Reconciliation Program For our 2nd graders, we offer preparation for the Sacraments of First Communion and First Reconciliation. These sacraments are important steps in a child’s spiritual journey, and we are committed to helping them fully understand and appreciate their meaning. When: Monday evenings from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM Who: 2nd Graders Parent Meeting will be held Sunday Oct 6th at 11:15 (after mass) in the downstairs classrooms. Through this program, children will explore the beauty of these sacraments and grow in their love of Christ. It’s a wonderful time for them to come together with peers and deepen their faith in a supportive and welcoming environment. 2. Children's Liturgy of the Word For our younger children, we are excited to offer the Children's Liturgy of the Word during the 10:00 AM Mass on Sundays. This program is designed for children in Pre-K through 1st grade and gives them a chance to engage with the Word of God at their level, helping them develop a strong foundation in faith. When: During the 10:00 AM Mass Who: Pre-K to 1st Grade Parent Meeting will be held Sunday Sept 29th at 11:15 (after mass) in the downstairs classrooms. This program is a great way for younger children to participate in the Mass and experience the joy of God's Word. Registration Required Email complete form to faithformation@stbarbarachurch.org Any questions can be directed to faithformation@stbarbarachurch.org

December 9th Mass times 9 am and 7pm Please join us for this Holy Day of Obligation in the Main Church.

The Joy of Repentance This weekend in my homily, I highlighted the importance and gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Last January, I had the privilege of attending a Holy Desire retreat with about 50 other priests from all over the country in St. John’s, Florida. The retreat was conducted by Dr. Bob Schuchts and the John Paul II Healing Center. It was a profound experience for me to participate in this retreat and hear the testimonies and experiences of other priests as we acknowledged our own brokenness and desire for deeper healing and a more intimate relationship with the Lord. A huge component of the retreat was breakout sessions with other priests and members of the team to address areas of brokenness and trauma in our lives, and to pray for the healing power of the Holy Spirit to set us free so that we can be better priests. As we prayed, and I listened to the presentations and testimonies of other priests and the challenges they were facing, I knew I had to pull all of the blessings and graces of the week together by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I had a beautiful confession at the end of the retreat and left feeling joy and liberation. It was definitely “amazing grace”! Confession is indeed a great grace, and Fr. Woodland and I want to be available to help you experience this healing Sacrament. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to celebrate Reconciliation, and feel free to drop by during the regularly scheduled times at our parishes. I have asked the bulletin editors to include a resource on this Sacrament to help guide and prepare you. It is limited, but there are many other great resources available on the web. Personally, I try to use Scripture to help me prepare, and I have some favorite passages. I’ll end with one from St. Paul’s first letter to St. Timothy that highlights five things we can strive to embrace.

Be Alert! Advent has a common theme about being alert. What does this mean? It means that as followers of Jesus Christ, we are most concerned about loving God and loving people. We are invited to ask the Holy Spirit to help us not to lose our first love (cf. Revelations 2:4). The Holy Spirit is our interior teacher and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us in our struggle to be good witnesses to Christ. Advent is a time for us to bring our broken relationships to the Lord and ask for His guidance and help in experiencing life in abundance. God is for us. Isn’t it a sad reality that so many people think God is indifferent to all of our struggles and suffering here on earth? How much more could God prove His love for us than in sending His only-begotten Son to be our Lord and Savior? When we love people we want to walk with them and share in their journey of life. This is exactly what Jesus does for us when we invite Him into our hearts. He accompanies us and helps us be responsible and accountable for our words and actions. We are all sinners and we fail to love God and love people. This is a simple truth and we can see evidence of this everyday. But hope is not lost. When we turn to Jesus and invite Him to open our hearts, we can be renewed in the gift of hope and find peace and joy in all the wonderful people and events God has provided for us. “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Being alert is not some dreadful commandment to make our lives more difficult or miserable. It is the opportunity to allow the Lord to help us experience more gratitude and love. Advent is all about being renewed in the gift of hope. “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5) I pray we will have a most beautiful and blessed Advent! in Christ, Fr. Jim Northrop Pastor

Thank you! As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I just wanted to take the opportunity to say “thank you” to everyone in our parish family for your love and dedication to the Lord as we move forward with the Partners in the Gospel program. I know the changes we have had to make haven’t been easy but you are all demonstrating a sense of graciousness as we discern concern as we discern our future. I wish you all a most blessed Thanksgiving and safe travels for those traveling to be with family and friends. Special prayers for those of you who will gather for the first time without a loved one who has since passed away. Our nation has had the tradition of setting aside one day a year to give thanks for our blessings but we know as a followers of the Lord Jesus Christ that everyday is a day to give thanks because we are blessed in so many ways. in Christ, Fr. Jim (Pastor)

Dear Ladies! You’re warmly invited to our Women’s Group Christmas Party and Service Project, a festive evening to celebrate the season of giving and fellowship! Join us as we gather to support families in need through Vine Maple Place, a local organization in Maple Valley. Together, we’ll assemble 100 take-home meal kits—50 Spaghetti Meals and 50 Chicken Noodle Soup Meals—bringing warmth and nourishment to local families this holiday season. Event Details: Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Location: St. Barbara Catholic Church Parish Hall Evening Highlights: Service Project: Help us assemble meal kits that will be distributed to families through Vine Maple Place. Prayer & Fellowship: We’ll come together in prayer for our community, sharing gratitude for the blessings of the season. Fun & Games: Enjoy festive games and laughter as we celebrate with one another. Treats & Mingling: Bring your favorite Christmas cookies or holiday treat to share (optional). We’ll provide tea, coffee, and holiday cheer! Here’s How You Can Participate: Donate Food Items: Check the list of ingredients and sign up (link below) to bring items for the meal kits. If you’re unable to attend but would still like to help, please arrange a drop-off or pickup with Emily ( emilysimburger@gmail.com or 701-330-5753). UPDATE!You can drop off items in classroom A in the basement of the church. Please be sure to place items in the provided bins under the table or bring items in a bag and place them on the table. When you drop items off please text me and let me know. Thank you so much. Join Us on Dec 4th: If you can make it, we’d love to see you there! Please RSVP using the link below so we can plan our setup, though last-minute drop-ins are always welcome. Bring a Treat to Share (Optional): Consider bringing your favorite holiday treat to share while we mingle and enjoy fellowship time. No sign up necessary. RSVP & Signup Link: https://grow.withlome.com/a/ce44e76b-8638-4e34-9723-04e76b7f919f Come for a joyful evening filled with fellowship, prayer, games, and the joy of giving. Thank you for helping make this season brighter for families in need! Blessings,Emily, Sarah, Riza and Kathy