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

You are invited to join us for our All Parish Family Lenten Mission Retreat , a special time set aside for reflection, healing, and renewal during the Lenten season. This year’s retreat will be led by Fr. Jim  and promises to be a meaningful opportunity for our parish community to come together in faith. Dates:  Monday, March 9 – Wednesday, March 11 Time:  6:30 PM – 8:30 PM each evening Location:  Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Enumclaw WA Theme: Light the Fire Each night of the retreat will focus on a unique theme to guide our prayer and reflection: Monday, March 9 Night 1: Ignite Tuesday, March 10 Night 2: Burn Wednesday, March 11 Night 3: Conduct Come for one evening or experience the full retreat as we journey together through this sacred season. All parish families and individuals are encouraged to attend. Frequently Asked Questions Are kids allowed? Yes, children are welcome. However, the event is primarily designed for adults, and teenagers are especially encouraged to attend. No childcare is currently available, but we are working on creating a space for children so parents can still participate while keeping them occupied. Please check back soon for updates. Do we need to attend each night? Each night builds on the previous one, but you are welcome to attend even if you can only come for a single evening. We encourage any level of participation, as we believe the Spirit can work regardless of how many sessions you attend. Can we arrive late or leave early? Come for what you can. If work or other commitments make you late, please still consider joining. If you need to leave early, for example, to get children home for bedtime, we completely understand. Please don’t let scheduling concerns keep you from attending. Will there be food? Light refreshments will be provided, including fruit, snacks, and drinks. Is there a cost to attend? No, there is no cost to attend. Do we need to register or RSVP? No registration or RSVP is required. Just come. Where is it located? The event will be held in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church sanctuary. What should I bring? Nothing, just bring yourself and an open heart. Who is invited? This event is open to everyone. We are especially inviting all parishioners of Parish Family 32. Is childcare available? Childcare is not currently available, but we are working on setting up a children’s space so parents can participate while keeping kids occupied. Schedule Night 1 – Ignite (Encounter) • Welcome & Opening Prayer • Praise and Worship (2–3 songs) • Mission Talk: Encountering Christ Personally • Small Group Share (with one other person) • Short Break • Teaching: Opening Our Hearts to the Fire of the Holy Spirit • Guided Meditation & Prayer Ministry • Homework Invitation • Closing Prayer & Sending Forth Night 2 – Burn (Purify & Belong) • Opening Prayer • Praise and Worship • Teaching: Purification, Healing & Freedom in Christ • Partner Reflection • Short Break • Reconciliation or Healing Prayer • Extended Worship & Intercession • Homework: Deeper Commitment • Closing Prayer Night 3 – Conduct (Share the Good News) • Opening Prayer • Praise and Worship • Mission Talk: Sent Forth to Share the Good News • Witness/Testimony • Short Break • Teaching: Missionary Discipleship • Commissioning Prayer • Next Steps & Quad Continuation • Final Praise Song & Blessing

The Transfiguration: Grace for the Journey This Sunday’s Gospel brings us up the mountain with Jesus, Peter, James, and John to witness the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28–36). In a moment of radiant glory, Jesus’ face and clothing are changed, and Moses and Elijah appear to speak with him. The disciples hear the Father’s voice: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him.” The event is a foretaste of Christ’s resurrection and a sign that God’s saving plan is unfolding.   Why does this matter for our Lenten journey? Lent is a time of penance, self-examination, and spiritual struggle. We often find ourselves in wilderness places: suffering, temptation, confusion, or fatigue, where it’s hard to keep our eyes on Christ. The Transfiguration reminds us that God does not leave us alone in those places. He offers the grace we need, and he reveals that the path through suffering leads to new life.   Notice two practical lessons from the story:   God’s light breaks into our ordinary moments. The disciples were doing what Jesus asked; they went up the mountain with him. When we intentionally take time to be with Jesus in prayer, Scripture, Eucharist, or silent adoration, we make space for God’s transforming presence. Grace often comes quietly in those faithful, repeated acts of communion with him. Seeing Jesus’ glory strengthens us for what comes next. The Transfiguration was not an escape from the cross; it was preparation for it. In the same way, the consolation we receive in prayer and the sacraments doesn’t remove trials immediately but empowers us to endure them with hope and fidelity.   The Lord so often uses music to bless me with moments of transfiguration. I remember driving around Tukwila towards the end of my dad’s bout with cancer. I was incredibly sad we had arrived at this moment, wishing we could have a little extra time, and out of nowhere, my iTunes app started playing a song titled “Come And Fill My Heart”. It was just what I needed to hear, and it gave me the grace to press through that difficult moment. This week, consider a small, concrete way to “go up the mountain” with the Lord: add ten minutes of quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, read a short passage of Scripture each morning, or simply invite Jesus into a particular difficulty in your life during your daily prayer. Trust that as you spend time with him, he will give the grace you need to remain focused, faithful, and hopeful. Scripture reminds us to “cast our cares upon him who cares for us” (1 Peter 5:7).   Let us pray that, like the disciples, we may hear the Father’s voice calling us to listen to his Son and be strengthened by the light of his presence on our Lenten path.   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Fence Building & The Spiritual Life   When I was in college I took a landscaping job one summer. Early in the day I measured and cut each board carefully as I began building a fence. But as the heat rose and my focus drifted toward escaping to air-conditioning, my standards slipped. By the time I finished, the fence was jagged and crooked, a visible reminder that carelessness yields poor work. When I took my parents to see the fence, they nearly laughed themselves out of the car.   Our spiritual lives are much the same. Small relaxations in discipline, little compromises of truth, or moments of inattentiveness can accumulate until our faith looks bent and uneven. Satan does not always attack with thunder and lightning; often he works subtly, inviting us to daydream, to rationalize, to postpone the hard work of holiness. Lent calls us to notice those moments and to recommit before small faults become large ones.   Spiritual maturity is built day by day: steady prayer, honest confession, regular Scripture, fasting that clears space for God, and generosity that breaks the hold of self-centeredness. None of these are dramatic overnight fixes, they are measured, repeated acts of fidelity that keep our lives aligned with Christ. If you feel your spiritual “fence” tilting, start small: add five more minutes of prayer, speak with a friend or mentor for accountability, choose one habitual excuse to renounce this week. Just as Satan gradually lures us away so to do little acts bring us back to restore the joy of salvation. The main thing is not to get discouraged. After all, Jesus was a carpenter!   This Lent, let us refuse the lazy comforts that make our souls crooked. Let us work with care, humility, and perseverance so that when others look at our lives, they see craftsmanship formed by grace. Join us in a renewed season of disciplined love and let God straighten what needs straightening and, please don’t forget to plan on attending our All Parish Family Mission from March 9-11. The Lord will give you some beautiful tools to straighten your fence!   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Prepare for Lent   As we prepare for Lent, the Lord invites us to release what robs us of true happiness and to turn our gaze more fully to the abundant life he offers. The Church gives us three simple pillars to shape that journey: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Below are brief reflections and practical ways to live each one this season.   Prayer is the invitation to deepen our relationship with God. Reflection: Prayer opens our hearts to God’s grace. In Lent, we pray with intention: to listen, to repent, and to be renewed. Practical ideas: Add 10–20 minutes of Scripture or examen each morning, attend an extra weekday Mass or Stations of the Cross, pray for specific parish intentions, or join a Lenten small group for mutual support.   Fasting is the invitation to simplify our lives to make room for God and neighbor. Reflection: Fasting helps us reject excess, grow in self‑discipline, and stand in solidarity with those who suffer. It frees time, attention, and resources for what truly matters. Practical ideas: Observe Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; give up a habitual comfort (social media, sweets, TV); make one weekday meal simple and use that time for prayer; redirect money saved to charity.   Almsgiving is the invitation to share what we have with mercy. Reflection: Almsgiving makes our love concrete. It reminds us that our gifts are meant to be shared and that generosity heals both giver and receiver. Practical ideas: Give to the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program or a local charity, volunteer at a food pantry or shelter, perform weekly acts of neighborly service, or start a family giving jar to present at Easter. A simple weekly plan: 15 minutes of prayer daily, one day of simplified eating, and one concrete act of charity. May this Lent lead us to greater freedom, deeper communion, and a heart enlarged by mercy as we prepare to celebrate Easter.   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

An Invitation To Find More Joy & Purpose in Life   Dear Parish Family,   Our Lord came to set us free from oppression and works of the devil and to help us live life more abundantly (c.f. John 10:10).   As we reflect on our contemporary culture, we see that many people are being misled and are not living abundantly. Too often people are lied to about God and His saving plan of redemption for all humanity.   The Lord wants to begin a powerful movement of renewal in His Church so that all of us can be part of His desire to renew all things in Christ. God is generous and wants to lavish the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit upon us in abundance to help us operate in dynamic power.   I personally want to extend an invitation to you to join us for a great opportunity to experience personal and powerful transformation and renewal so that we can be equipped to take our place in the Church to bring the Good News to those around us. The time has come for us to pray for the fire of the Holy Spirit to i gnite  our lives, burn  away doubt and confusion bringing healing and clarity of mind and heart, and giving us supernatural power to conduct  the mission of the Church to share the Good News with great joy and enthusiasm.   Please mark your calendars for our All Parish Family Lenten Mission from March 9-11 from 6:30PM-8:30PM at Sacred Heart.   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

The Beatitudes - Ingredients for Happiness   I am a huge fan of Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, who served as the Preacher of the Papal Household from 1980–2024. I have read most of his books and in particular enjoyed his book on the Beatitudes titled Beatitudes — 8 Steps to Happiness.   The Beatitudes are more than moral ideals; they are a way of participating in the life of Christ. Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa invites us to hear them not as distant poetry but as practical invitations to conversion that shape the Christian’s interior life and public witness.   Poverty of spirit . Cantalamessa reminds us that true freedom begins when we recognize our dependence on God. Poverty of spirit is the soil in which every virtue grows: humility opens us to grace and keeps our eyes fixed on Christ rather than on ourselves. Those who mourn . Sorrow, especially over our sin and the brokenness of the world, becomes a source of compassion when it leads us to God. Mourning softens the heart so we can receive divine consolation and become channels of God’s mercy to others. The meek . Meekness is not weakness but strength rightly ordered. It is Christ’s power lived without domination: patient, gentle, and rooted in trust that God is ultimately Lord. Hunger and thirst for righteousness . Cantalamessa calls us to an interior longing for God’s justice that transforms action. This hunger impels us to seek holiness and to work for a world shaped by truth, charity, and the common good. Mercy . The Beatitude of mercy reflects the heart of the Gospel. Mercy heals, reconciles, and breaks cycles of vengeance, reminding us that we are first recipients of God’s mercy and thus called to extend it generously. Purity of heart . Purity is single-heartedness for God. It clarifies our vision so that we can see God and neighbor without distortion, freeing us for a love that is sincere and whole. Peacemakers . To make peace is to act with the patience and creativity of Christ the Reconciler. Peacemaking requires courage: to listen, to forgive, and to build community even when it costs. Persecuted for righteousness’ sake . Cantalamessa emphasizes the paschal dimension of Christian witness: suffering for Christ’s sake unites us to his cross and opens us to resurrection joy. Faithfulness under trial is itself a powerful testimony.   How to live them? Cantalamessa points to prayer, humility, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. The Beatitudes are practiced in small, daily acts: forgiving an offense, a quiet act of service, a moment of prayerful surrender. They shape interior dispositions that bear fruit in how we treat others and how we face suffering.   As a parish community, let us allow these attitudes to become our recipe for joyful living, not as a program to master, but as an apprenticeship to Christ: to be formed by him through prayer, sacraments, and one another. When we do, the Beatitudes cease to be abstract sayings and become the living presence of Christ among us and ingredients to a happy and abundant life.   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Do Not Neglect The Gift   The other day I was watching a TV series that dealt with law enforcement and the tragic reality of suicide. All of a sudden, as I was watching it, I had a flashback to a very difficult situation I encountered during my second year of priestly ministry.   I was in my office when I received a call from an officer with the Washington State Patrol. He asked if I would go with him to make a death notification. He explained what had happened and that the widow was a member of my parish. A few minutes later he pulled in front of the parish offices to pick me up. I remember distinctly having a knot in my stomach as I got into the car and feeling a bit anxious about what was about to happen.  We headed to the Labor and Industries building in Tumwater, where the widow worked. There was a brief conversation with the officer in the car, but in the moments of silence I prayed to the Holy Spirit to give us strength, grace, and direction. When we got to the offices, the officer asked me to remain in the hallway while he went in to direct the widow toward me. As soon as she saw me, her face sank and she burst into tears. I felt so much sorrow for her and learned more details surrounding the suicide as we talked and prayed together. I was then assigned to be the celebrant for the funeral.   This was a really difficult experience, but I remembered the words from St. Jude:      I share this story with you to remind you, as St. Paul reminded St. Timothy, not to neglect the gift of the Holy Spirit that we have all received through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation (c.f. 2 Timothy 1:6-7).   When you find yourself in a difficult situation and are feeling overwhelmed, pray in the Holy Spirit and ask the Lord to strengthen you to face your challenge. We are not helpless in the midst of adversity. It is precisely in these moments that I have felt the greatest gratitude for my faith and life in Christ.   In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor