How to Avoid Rash Judgments In light of the disappointing situation between the President and the Pope that has been in the media the past few weeks, I thought it would be a good idea to create a resource about the dangers of rash judgments drawing upon the wisdom of my favorite saint, Saint Francis de Sales. “Judge not, and you shall not be judged” (Luke 6:37). St. Francis de Sales reminds us that rash judgments offend God because they put us in the place of the Divine Judge and mistake what only God can see—the intentions of the heart (2 Cor. 5:10). They also distract us from our first duty: to examine and correct our own faults. Common causes of rash judgment • Natural bitterness or sourness of temperament, which reads fault everywhere. • Pride and self‑complacency, which raise ourselves by lowering others. • Rationalizing our own sins by assuming others are equally guilty. • Love of talk, wit, or gossip—judging for entertainment. • Passion, prejudice, jealousy, fear, ambition, and other disordered affections. Practical remedies (St. Francis de Sales’ guidance) 1. Drink the “wine of charity.” Charity is the healing medicine: it prefers the kinder interpretation, turns away from evil, and, when possible, believes the best. 2. Judge yourself first. The apostle teaches that self‑judgment preserves us from being judged. Focus energy on interior reform rather than examining others. 3. Favor the fair interpretation. When an action can be read in many ways, choose the most loving, as Abimelech did toward Isaac and Rebecca, and as Joseph did toward Mary—he chose to trust and put the matter in God’s hands. 4. Limit doubts to reasoned grounds. It is lawful to be cautious when evidence is strong; it is sinful to multiply suspicions without cause. 5. Turn inwards rather than prying outward. Tender‑hearted souls avoid roaming through the hidden actions of others; they repair their own hearts instead. 6. When duty requires judgment (pastors, parents, magistrates), do it out of love and justice, not prejudice or curiosity—and then return to interior recollection. A short examen to practice • Before forming an opinion, ask: Do I know the heart or only an outward sign? • Could there be a harmless explanation? Which interpretation is most charitable? • Am I judging to wound, to amuse, or to protect and correct? • What correction do I need to make in myself? A closing thought Rash judgment is a “spiritual jaundice” that colors everything darkly. Counter it by cultivating gentle affections, humble charity, and careful self‑examination. In doing so we follow Christ’s command, spare our neighbor, and leave final judgment to God. Adapted from St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Parish Listening Sessions Announcement Session 3 We invite all members of our parish family to participate in our upcoming Listening Sessions as we continue discerning who God is calling us to become as a community. Session Times & Location English Session: Saturday, April 25th from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Spanish Session: Sunday, April 26th, following the 12:00 PM Mass Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall If you are unable to attend in person: Online Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCG8GJV Closes May 1st These sessions are an important opportunity to come together in prayer, reflection, and dialogue as we move forward in faith. Preparing for the Listening Sessions To make the most of our time together, we encourage everyone to review and prayerfully reflect on the questions ahead of time. These questions will guide our discussion during the sessions. Review previous listening session Opportunities and Challenges feedback: https://www.stbarbarachurch.org/post/opportunities-and-challenges-summary Phase 3: Listening Session Questions (Please review before attending) ROUND ONE – Identity & Vision Who is God calling our parish family to become as a new parish under the anointing of the Holy Spirit? What clear vision for evangelization, spiritual maturity, and sacramental encounter should guide us? ROUND TWO – Priority People Which groups or people should we intentionally prioritize in our evangelizing and outreach? Who in our neighborhood or community have we not been reaching or serving well? ROUND THREE – Ministries, Programs & Discernment What new ministries or programs would help equip everyone for ministry, deepen faith formation, and foster Christian maturity? Which existing ministries should be expanded or refocused to better fulfill our vision? Are there activities or programs we should stop or scale back so we can freely say “yes” to new priorities? ASE 3: Preguntas para la Sesión de Escucha PRIMERA RONDA: Identidad y Visión ¿En qué tipo de comunidad parroquial quiere Dios que nos convirtamos, como nueva parroquia bajo la unción del Espíritu Santo? ¿Qué visión clara en materia de evangelización, madurez espiritual y encuentro sacramental debería guiarnos? SEGUNDA RONDA: Personas Prioritarias ¿A qué grupos o personas deberíamos dar prioridad de forma deliberada en nuestra labor evangelizadora y de acercamiento? ¿A quiénes de nuestro barrio o comunidad no hemos estado llegando o atendiendo adecuadamente? TERCERA RONDA: Ministerios, Programas y Discernimiento ¿Qué nuevos ministerios o programas ayudarían a preparar a todos para el ministerio, a profundizar en la formación en la fe y a fomentar la madurez cristiana? ¿Qué ministerios existentes deberían ampliarse o reorientarse para cumplir mejor nuestra visión? ¿Hay actividades o programas que deberíamos suspender o reducir para poder decir «sí» sin reservas a las nuevas prioridades?

Opportunities and Challenges Presented by Our Parish Family Here are the opportunities and challenges presented by our parish family and summarized by your PFAC. Three themes are identified: proclaiming our faith, reaching out to the wider community, and growing as a parish family. 1. Proclaiming Faith Evangelize our parish communities and the wider community: Provide training, knowledge, and tools to help our parishioners know how to evangelize and witness to their faith Promote an understanding of the “why” of Catholicism  Invite people to “come and see” Promote life-long faith formation for people of all ages: Support growth in understanding of the faith through activities, and sacramental growth opportunities Connect liturgy with growth in faith understanding and practice Serve parents in forming a lifelong faith for their children and a renewal of faith for themselves: Address challenge of outside influences Provide resources and support for young parents Instill active and lifelong faith in their children Provide support and education after sacraments Serve families with faith programs Serve youth and young adults in our parish communities: Address the lack of youth programs Provide for leadership of youth and young adult efforts Stay connected with youth after confirmation Provide outreach to college-age young adults Address negative external influences 2. Reaching out to the Wider Community Address the physical needs faced in the community, including support for the homeless, assistance with economic hardships, and attention to the needs of the elderly Support ministries and services in the wider community through communication and promotion of existing resources 3. Growing as a Parish Family Acknowledge and address the workload on our priests: Two priests for 90,000 people Identify ways that lay faithful can help Adjust expectations – “how can I support my priest?” Initiate practical and prayerful support for vocations Address the large geographical area, population size, and physical barriers that present challenges for our parish family: Respond to recent large population growth and engage possible new parishioners Address the desire among parishioners to maintain small home feeling and have services close by Grow our visibility to the wider community Provide clear, frequent and consistent communication and collaboration within the parish family Address the concern that some people feel excluded or invisible Address particular needs for communication and engagement between and among the English and Spanish language communities beyond mass Build community and promote belonging: Cultivate community by providing opportunities for people of all ages to gather and grow in faith Promote collaboration within community to foster the feeling of family Invite the next generation of parishioners to take an active role in supporting and sustaining parish life

The Eucharist & Mission During our parish mission I reflected on a post synodal document by Pope Benedict XVI (The Sacrament of Charity) which reminds us that the Eucharist is not only the source of our worship but the wellspring of our mission. When we truly receive Christ in the Eucharist, when we believe in, celebrate, and allow his presence to shape us, we cannot keep that gift to ourselves. A living encounter with Jesus always overflows into love of God and concrete love of neighbor. A deep Eucharistic devotion clarifies the goal of all mission: to bring Christ himself to others, not merely a set of ideas or programs. The sacrament points to the unicity of Christ and the salvation he won for us; it calls every Christian into active witness. If we speak of love but fail to share the truth of Christ’s saving gift, we have not yet given enough. This truth calls us both to prayerful catechesis and to practical charity. Let our catechesis keep pointing people to Jesus in the Eucharist, forming hearts that recognize the Mass as mission-training ground. And let our parish life show that Eucharistic devotion leads to works of mercy, visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, inviting someone to Mass. Small acts made in the light of the Eucharist become genuine evangelization. May the Eucharist we celebrate deepen our love for God so that it naturally spills over into love for our neighbors. As we grow in reverence and devotion, let us pray for courage to bring others to Christ, confident that the gift we share is nothing less than the gift of his very person. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

In the Name of the Father: A Bible Study on God's Names Classes begin Tuesday, April 21st, drop in anytime, with sessions offered at 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM in the Sacred Heart Parish offices. Join us for a meaningful and engaging Bible study series exploring the names of God the Father. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself through names rich with meaning—Yahweh, Adonai, Jehovah, each offering deeper insight into His character, His promises, and His relationship with us. In this series, we’ll take a biblical journey into the origins and significance of these names, uncovering what they teach us about who God is and how He invites us to know Him more fully. Whether you’re new to Bible study or have been studying for years, this series is designed for learners of all levels. All are welcome! Bring your own Bible or feel free to borrow one of ours. We look forward to learning and growing together!

Divine Mercy Sunday — An Experience From A Pilgrimage Easter joy continues on this Second Sunday of Easter, celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. I want to share a brief memory from a pilgrimage I made to Poland in 2019 that helped me hear this feast more clearly. Our small group of about 14 included my mother. As a longtime devotee of the Divine Mercy message, first introduced to me in seminary and deepened by my reading of St. Faustina’s Diary, I was thoroughly enjoying the pilgrimage. Then one day, while I was on my own for a time, I began reflecting on everything and grew quite irritated. I thought to myself: isn’t God’s mercy already clear in Scripture, as in Psalm 103, “The Lord is kind and merciful”? Scripture is filled with people encountering God's mercy. There really didn’t seem to be anything revolutionary about the message of Divine Mercy. Why then did a humble Polish nun bring this truth back to the Church’s attention? The answer came gently: we are forgetful. Every generation, in small and large ways, drifts toward self-reliance, hardness of heart, and forgetfulness of God’s tender mercy. That forgetfulness is why the message of Divine Mercy is not redundant but necessary. The Church needs prophets, witnesses, and simple souls who point us back to the heart of the Gospel, that we cannot save ourselves and that God’s love pursues us relentlessly. This Sunday is an invitation to remember and to become reminders. We need to receive the mercy of God offered to us through prayer and in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Many people have a mistaken image of God and live in a spirit of fear, afraid to approach the Lord for fear of judgment and condemnation. Each of us is called to be a beacon, offering forgiveness, compassion, and concrete acts of mercy. Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us to commit to this message, which brings healing and redemption. Let us invite the Holy Spirit to make us more attentive to the souls around us who live under the sentence of self-reliance and self-condemnation, and invite them to the fountain of mercy for healing and salvation. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

The Joy of the Resurrection   Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, and now because of this TRUTH we have the power to live our lives free from fear and the slavery of sin. This is such good news that it caused the disciples to run and announce it to others. An encounter with the Risen Lord is life-changing.   Even though the disciples were exposed to persecution and the agony of watching Jesus be crucified, He came back, and through the Holy Spirit is now at work in our lives, helping us to experience the power of His transforming love and grace.   In preparation for Pentecost, our first reading during the Easter season is taken from the Acts of the Apostles. This is a wonderful way for us to prepare our hearts for a new Pentecost. The devil is pressing hard to suppress the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection and to hurt and separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. We see the devil’s destructive work every day as we hear stories of war, violence, and people being isolated and falling into despair. The world needs our witness that when we are in Christ and open to the Holy Spirit, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).   As we celebrate the Easter season, let us pray for a deeper faith and trust in the Risen Lord and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit so that we can follow the mission the Lord has given us: to continue to allow Him to free those who are oppressed by the devil (1st reading today). This mission begins with our recognizing the strongholds in our lives and praying for the Lord to break them, which will increase Easter joy in our lives.   I wish you all a most joyful Easter, and I am praying that we all deepen our faith as we prepare for Pentecost. God wants to unleash a new Pentecost on the Church, so I will end this column with the beautiful prayer for boldness we find in the Acts of the Apostles after the religious authorities demanded that the disciples stop speaking about their experience of the Risen Lord.   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop

Prayers for Peace & The San Damiano Crucifix   Pope Leo XIV has reminded us that we need to be praying for peace, and in his letter to the Franciscan Family in preparation for the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis later this year he made a special reference to the beloved Crucifix of San Damiano. Below is the closing excerpt from the letter: Dear brothers and sisters, may the example and spiritual legacy of this saint, strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and ardent in active charity towards his neighbor, inspire in everyone the importance of trusting in the Lord, of living a life faithful to the Gospel, and of accepting and illuminating every circumstance and action of life with faith and prayer. In this Year of Grace, I wish to offer you a prayer that Saint Francis of Assisi may continue to instill in all of us perfect joy and harmony: Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord. You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano; teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall. You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries. In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen. Beginning Easter Sunday, we will display the San Damiano Crucifix in the church at St. Barbara which was made by one of our parish family members. May the Holy Spirit inspire us to follow the beautiful example of St. Francis in bringing the peace of Christ into our broken world. Have a most blessed Holy Week and a joyful Easter! In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Simple Faith   As we prepare to enter Holy Week, we are presented with the beautiful story of the raising of Lazarus. Jesus shows his deep empathy in the shortest sentence in many English Bibles: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). What a powerful reminder that Jesus entered our humanity so that we might share in his divinity.   Today’s Gospel invites us to sit beside Martha as she meets Jesus in the shadow of grief. While her brother Lazarus lies dead, Martha speaks with honesty and courage. She confesses her belief that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and she names both her hope and her doubt. In that moment, her faith is not a calm answer but a faithful reaching out, a trust that speaks even amid confusion and pain.   Martha teaches us that faith can be active and earnest. She moves beyond questions to address Jesus directly, inviting him into her sorrow and into the place of loss. Her words remind us that faith does not require perfect certainty before we call on the Lord. Rather, faith often begins with a simple naming of Christ and a willingness to bring our whole life to him.   This Martha is different from the woman in Luke 10:38–42, who was so preoccupied with serving that she chided Mary for staying at Jesus’ feet. That contrast shows the ongoing struggle to find balance in life and not to judge others who have different duties and responsibilities. While Mary sat with sorrow, Martha ran to meet Jesus and made a beautiful profession of faith.   As we approach Holy Week, let Martha’s example encourage you to bring your doubts, your grief, and your hopes to Jesus. Faith grows when we keep speaking, keep listening, and keep trusting that the One who raises Lazarus is present to raise and renew our own hearts.   Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our Holy Week celebrations. (The schedule has been posted in the bulletin and on our parish websites for the past several weeks.)  We do not simply show up for Easter; we journey with Jesus through each powerful night of the Triduum. These liturgies offer special graces and form the high point of our liturgical year.   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Healing Our Blindness   On a day when Jesus heals a man born blind, the light of God breaks into darkness in a way that surprises everyone involved. The neighbors and religious leaders want to know how this happened. The man who was healed simply tells the truth: “I was blind, and now I see.” His testimony is both simple and powerful. It invites us to notice how encounters with Christ can change the most ordinary parts of our lives.   This story challenges two common assumptions. First, it upends the idea that suffering is always a direct punishment for sin. Jesus makes clear that the man’s blindness is not a moral judgment to be explained away. Instead, it becomes the occasion for God’s works to be revealed. Second, the story exposes the blindness of those who think they see perfectly. The religious authorities claim spiritual insight, yet they refuse to accept evidence that challenges their expectations. The man who once had no sight gains clarity not only of his eyes but of who Jesus is. The leaders who pride themselves on knowledge grow more entrenched in darkness.   I once attended a workshop where the speaker outlined the difference between Jesus curing people and when people were healed. Curing refers to the removal of disease and physical restoration. Healing denotes a broader, deeper restoration that includes physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual wholeness. Healing addresses meaning, forgiveness, identity, and reintegration into community. It can be gradual and ongoing, not limited to the body. This is one of the reasons why Dr. Bob Schuchts from the John Paul II Healing Center has retreats called “Healing the Whole Person.” Integration of our mind, body, and heart is a beautiful work of God’s grace and a sign of our redemption in Christ.   Lent invites us to examine where we are blind. Are we unable to see the pain of our neighbor because we explain it away? Do we cling to traditions and opinions that keep us from recognizing God at work? The man’s journey moves from physical darkness to sight, and then to a deeper recognition of Jesus. His healing is an invitation to truth and a call to speak the truth. Even when questioned or harassed, he refuses to recant what he has seen.   As a parish family this season, we can practice opening our eyes. Spend time in prayer asking God to show one thing about yourself that you cannot see. Listen to someone whose experience differs from yours. Offer hospitality rather than judgment. Share a simple testimony of how God has worked in your life. Small acts of honesty and compassion help the light grow in places of doubt and fear.   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Christ’s Passion stands at the very center of our faith. As we approach Holy Week, it is a fitting time to slow down and reflect more deeply on the suffering, love, and sacrifice of Jesus. To help us enter into this sacred season, we will be offering a short, three-week series focused on the Passion of Christ. Starting March 17th Every Tuesday, 10am or 6:30pm Sacred Heart Church Classrooms, Enumclaw Beginning March 17, we will gather in the Sacred Heart classrooms to walk through the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ final days. Taught by Danielle Curl. Together we will look closely at the events leading up to the Crucifixion and reflect on the meaning of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. By returning to the words of Scripture, we can better understand the depth of Christ’s love and the cost of our redemption. This series will draw from the study No Greater Love . Because our time together is limited to three weeks, we will focus on the video portions of the study rather than working through the entire book. The videos provide a powerful overview of the Passion narratives and help illuminate the historical and spiritual significance of these events. No registration or purchase is required to attend. This is simply an opportunity to come together, reflect on Scripture, and prepare our hearts for Holy Week. All are welcome to join us as we spend these three weeks contemplating the greatest act of love in human history, the Passion of Jesus Christ.

From Thirst to Joy: An Encounter with Christ             This Sunday we have the beautiful story of the woman at the well. This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible because it shows how Jesus came to break down the walls of sin and misery and lead us into a whole new way of life filled with meaning and purpose.      In John’s vivid encounter at Jacob’s well, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman exactly where she is, at midday, alone, burdened by a complicated past. Rather than shaming or condemning her, He speaks with gentle truth, asks for a drink, reveals her heart, and offers her mercy. This is the Gospel pattern: Jesus meets us in our ordinary places, treats us with dignity, and draws us into life-changing relationship through compassion, not judgment.      When the woman experiences Jesus, when she recognizes Him as more than a stranger but as the Messiah, everything changes. She runs back to her town not to hide but to proclaim the amazing news: “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” (John 4:29). She left her jar at the well because this encounter enabled her to see that we are not just meant to have our physical needs met but are invited into a relationship with the Lord that puts everything in its proper place. This reinforces our teaching last week, when Jesus reminded us that we don’t live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.      In our prayer meetings on Friday evenings, we often sing a song that has the phrase, "Your name is like honey on my lips," or we recall Psalm 119:103, which describes God's word as sweeter than honey. It signifies finding delight, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment in divine words. Those who have been touched by Jesus’ gracious words of mercy want others to know this same healing and hope; evangelization flows from gratitude and transformation.      Jesus promises “living water” through the Holy Spirit (John 4:10; cf. John 7:37–39). This gift sustains us beyond circumstances, giving confidence, peace, and a joy that is not dependent on life’s ups and downs. The Spirit empowers us to live as witnesses in our families, parishes, and neighborhoods, bringing light where there was darkness and refreshment where there was thirst.      Today, let us receive Jesus’ compassionate approach, allow our encounter with Him to change the story of our lives, and drink deeply of the living water of the Holy Spirit so that, like the woman at the well, we may joyfully share the Good News with others. They will not believe merely because of our testimony, but because they too have had this life-changing encounter.   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor