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

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