“Ollie” The Octopus My father had a tremendous love and appreciation for the splendor of God’s creation. When he was eleven, his parents gave him John James Audubon’s book The Birds of America, and he memorized many of the birds by their Latin names. He instilled this love and fascination with God’s creatures in my brother and me. Shortly after my fourth birthday, I remember my encounter with “Ollie” the octopus. My father came home from work and called my brother and me to his side. He said there was a tremendous problem we had to help solve: Ollie the octopus had escaped from the aquarium (of course, there was no aquarium in Pullman, Washington), and we had to find him. We began a thorough search throughout the house, looking in closets, cupboards, and even the refrigerator. Our search finally ended in the bathroom. My father slowly opened the door, and there was a tentacle draped over the top of the bathtub. Our eyes were the size of saucers! We found Ollie! My childhood was filled with adventures in nature, including many fishing and hunting trips, as well as collecting bugs with those little plastic bug containers complete with tweezers. Nowadays, many children sit glued to televisions, computers, and smartphones, failing to recognize the splendor of God’s creation and to see how His glory is reflected in it. As we begin the summer months, I hope we can all find time to break away from our technology, enjoy the works of God’s creation, and be drawn into a spirit of gratitude for everything that reflects His majesty and glory. Have a blessed summer! In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

This June 11, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Devotion to the Sacred Heart has developed over the centuries following the experiences of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the apparitions she witnessed in the seventeenth century. Popes have lauded the practice of consecration of the self, home, and even whole nations to the Sacred Heart. Why Consecrate our Nation? Archbishop Alexander K. Says that, “by celebrating this important national anniversary with this devotion, we have the opportunity to encourage all Catholics to honor our Lord and to infuse the spirit of the Gospel into various communities and departments of life. As we reflect with gratitude on the blessings God has bestowed on our country, our devotion to the Sacred Heart demands that we consider how we might foster truth, justice, and charity in American life. We are called to bring our faith into the actions we take and the lives we lead in our communities. This anniversary and consecration will be a great opportunity to promote the beautiful devotion to the Sacred Heart and to encourage the laity to offer their lives in service to God and their country. This consecration calls us all to a deeper devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” You can watch the livestream of the consecration of the United States of America on Thursday, June 11, at 1 pm Pacific Time on the USCCB’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/usccb. To learn more and read what Archbishop Etienne just wrote in a new pastoral letter entirely devoted to the Sacred Heart, emphasizing the importance and relevance of this devotion. Please go here. The letter can be read in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. https://archseattle.org/sacredheart/ If you’d like to join in the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Please go here for information. https://www.usccb.org/novena-sacred-heart-jesus Lastly we’d like to invite you to check out these five ways to grow closer to The Sacred Heart of Jesus available here. https://seattlearch.app.box.com/s/id1gkel4d0qb4tqevr9i0ek0d5m72kdg/file/2226485661433 We pray you join us in devotion to The Sacred Heart of Jesus this month of June and celebrate with us here at Parish Family #32. Many blessings.

Corpus Christi & Giving Thanks This weekend we celebrate Corpus Christi, a wonderful opportunity to give thanks for the marvelous gift of the Eucharist. I pray we will all deepen our love and our ability to “become what we receive” (St. Augustine). I also celebrate 29 years of ordination and service as a priest in the Archdiocese of Seattle. It is hard to believe how quickly the years have passed and how many amazing people I have met and accompanied in ministry. I truly feel blessed and grateful to mark this milestone and thank you all for your prayers, love, and support. I thank the Lord for my co-workers in the vineyard, our parish staff and the many volunteers who share their gifts and talents in service to our parish. I am very grateful for each of them. Lastly, I thank the Lord for the families who make up our parish. You have shown tremendous patience through the Partners in the Gospel program. As I’ve told you often, when I hear of the challenges some of my brother priests face, I leave those meetings with a deep sense of gratitude for this community’s love for the Lord and commitment. I pray you will have opportunities to rest and enjoy the summer. My brother and I have long made an annual fishing trip in honor of our father, but this year a family cruise to Alaska will replace that tradition in mid-September. Have a very blessed week. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Fanning The Flame Our celebration of Pentecost last weekend gave us a wonderful opportunity to thank the Lord for fulfilling his promise to fill us with power from on high to face the challenges of discipleship. I am well aware, as I have stated in my homilies, that not every Catholic has experienced baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is a tragedy since God wants everyone to have this grace. Trying to live out our vocations without the grace of Pentecost is like trying to play soccer with a half‑inflated ball — a timely image in light of the World Cup being hosted in Seattle in a few weeks! Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a tremendous gift, and I am so grateful that the Lord put people in my life who showed me how to yield to this grace. What drew me to open my heart was the witness of those who had already experienced it: the way they lived, the joy radiating from them, and the affectionate way they spoke of their relationship with God in Jesus Christ. They spoke about the Lord as if he were a real person who had dramatically changed their lives. We need powerful renewal in the Catholic Church so people can experience the reality of discipleship and be able to draw others to Christ. We cannot give what we do not have. Below is part of the Novena for Pentecost I received last October when I attended a powerful conference in Houston, Texas. The full text of the prayer can be found on the Pentecost Today website (www.pentecosttoday.org): Come, Holy Spirit! Fall afresh on us that we might receive an experience of the love of the Father and fully surrender to Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill us with your power and presence. Transform us with your sanctifying gifts to make us holy, and equip us with your charismatic gifts for the building up of the Church and the evangelization of the world. Create in us a new heart, that we may be conformed to your will and be one in Christ. Have a blessed week, and may the Holy Spirit be fanned into flame in our hearts and in our Church. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

The Promise of the Father - Pentecost You have heard me speak frequently about the importance of Pentecost and our ability to welcome the gift of the Holy Spirit into our lives to help strengthen and guide us through the joys and challenges of Christian discipleship. There are three things I would like to highlight regarding the grace of Pentecost. Let’s call them the three “P’s” of Pentecost. Power. Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were empowered from on high (cf. Luke 24:49). When the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples, they were immediately sent out with that power to preach the Gospel with boldness. The Holy Spirit gave them the ability to overcome obstacles (especially cultural barriers) and to “cut them to the heart” (cf. Acts 2:37). We need this power today to help us be bold and to put into practice the Scripture someone gave me before I went into the seminary: “Not by power nor by might, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6). The grace of Pentecost moves us out of self-reliance and into reliance on God’s grace and His power working within us. Purpose (Clarity of Mind & Heart). Before enduring his passion, Jesus told us that he would send an Advocate who would lead us into all truth (cf. John 16:13). The Holy Spirit moves us away from superficial and fleeting pleasures and into servants of God who follow His commandments to love one another as He has loved us (cf. John 13:34). The grace of Pentecost helps us focus on the things that really matter. Our purpose is to serve and glorify God and to help usher in the Kingdom of God through forgiveness and reconciliation. Gazing at the news and headlines, we see so much confusion and lack of purpose. The Holy Spirit helps us to feel our dignity as children of God and to live out the grace of our baptism. Proclamation. When the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, she said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46). The grace of Pentecost enables us to give the glory and honor to God where it belongs. We are the creatures and God is the Creator. We honor and reverence that relationship and, unlike Adam and Eve, do not fall for the lie of wanting to compete with God. The grace of Pentecost orders our entire lives — body, mind, and spirit — to the greater glory of God. We desperately need the grace of Pentecost in our Church today. It all starts with each one of us praying for the gift of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and allowing the Holy Spirit to send us forth with power, purpose, and proclamation. Have a most blessed Pentecost! In Christ, Fr. James Northrop — Pastor

Wisdom from Thomas à Kempis A few weeks ago in my homily, I shared a passage from one of my favorite devotionals, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis. I have been revisiting this well-loved devotional and wanted to share one of my favorite sections on regaining God’s grace. My child, “The LORD is good, a stronghold in a day of trouble” (Nahum 1:7). Come to me whenever you need help. The greatest hindrance to receiving consolation is your apparent reluctance to pray. Before you ask me for anything earnestly, you try to find other consolations, delighting yourself in so many external things. When it happens that nothing helps you out, you remember that I am the One who saves those who trust in me. Other than me you will find no power, nor profitable advice, nor lasting remedy. Now that you have survived the storm and recovered your spirit, try to grow strong again in the light of my tender mercy. I am here to lend a healing hand, to offer abundant, overflowing help beyond measure. Is anything difficult to me? Shall I be like one who promises and does not perform? Where is your faith? Stand firm and persevere. Be patient and have courage; consolation will come to you in due time. Wait patiently for me and I will come and cure you. It is temptation that bothers you and a useless fear that strikes you with terror. What do you get from worry about what may come in the future, except a multitude of sorrows? “Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Mt 6:34). It is vain and useless to feel grief or joy for future events that may never take place. Although it is natural for us to be deceived by such worries, it is a sign of a weak soul easily drawn away by the suggestions of the enemy. For he does not care if it is true or not when he tricks and deceives you. It matters little whether he overcomes you with love of things present or fear of things to come. “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (Jn 14:27). Believe in me and confide in my mercy. I am often closest to you when you think that I am far away. When you think that almost all is lost, it is often then that you are about to gain the greatest merit. All is not lost when something happens contrary to what you wanted. You must not judge according to how you feel at present, nor give yourself up easily to any trouble no matter where it comes from, nor imagine that all hope of deliverance is gone. Have a most blessed week! In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor Thomas à Kempis, Solace in Suffering: Wisdom from Thomas À Kempis, ed. Mary Lea Hill, Classic Wisdom Collection (Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 2010), 61–64.

A Blessed Weekend - Two Celebrations! This weekend we are privileged to celebrate two occasions. We are joined on Saturday evening by Archbishop Etienne for the celebration of Confirmation at Sacred Heart Parish. This wonderful sacrament is a reminder of the Lord’s promise to send the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in our inner being so we may live out our baptismal calling as followers of Jesus Christ. I remember my own Confirmation in 1987 and the many graces I received with that sacrament. Let us pray for all the young people who have been preparing to receive this sacrament not to receive the grace of God in vain (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:1), but to allow it to transform their lives and make them bold witnesses to Christ. Secondly, our nation has set aside this Sunday to honor our mothers. My mother is still living and has been an integral part of my life and my faith for many years. Even though she is battling dementia, she remains a constant reminder of the goodness of the Lord and the importance of motherhood. As we honor all our mothers, living and deceased, let us thank the Lord for the way the tender goodness of God is shared through their lives. As we move through the month of May, life grows busy with social activities, graduations, and more. I am grateful to celebrate these two events with you as our parish family moves forward with Partners in the Gospel. May the Holy Spirit fan into flame a new awareness in all of us — to welcome the grace of a new Pentecost for our Church, helping us be vibrant, joyful, and eager to share the Good News of our life in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, Fr. Jim Northrop, Pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we continue our journey through the Easter season and prepare for the joyful celebration of Pentecost, our first reading shows the origins of the ministry of the diaconate. In response to the growing number of believers and favoritism toward the Hebrew‑speaking converts, the leaders addressed the issue with confidence and prayed for guidance from the Holy Spirit. The criterion for selecting candidates was “reputable men, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” This challenge and the prayerful solution the Lord provided through the diaconate should remind us that God will help us with our own challenges, both in life and as a parish family. We need only pray for wisdom and for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We distributed a resource at the parish mission from the JPII Healing Institute that helps us pray for clarity of mind and heart and against a spirit of confusion. I would like to remind you of this resource and pray that each of us may walk in confidence that the Lord will care for us and give us what we need to continue our journey of faith. Have a most blessed week! In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor Prayer Against Confusion “In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce the lie that everything is confusing, that I don’t understand anything, and that it is up to me to figure things out on my own. In Jesus’ name I declare the truth that I have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16) and that the Holy Spirit reveals whatever I need to know when I need to know it (1 Cor. 1:7). I declare the truth that the Lord gives wisdom and understanding to anyone who asks (Jas. 1:5). I declare the truth that God has given His Church to lead me into all truth. I declare the truth that I have understanding and enlightenment from the Lord.”

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