St. Francis de Sales & Spiritual Encouragement This past week, a series of challenging events led me to revisit one of my favorite spiritual books by St. Francis de Sales. In Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales reminds us that holiness is not reserved for monks, priests, or those who live apart from the world. Every person, whatever their vocation, responsibilities, or circumstances, is called to grow in love for God. St. Francis teaches that devotion must fit the life we are actually living. A parent, student, worker, grandparent, or caregiver can become holy through ordinary duties performed with extraordinary love. Prayer, patience, kindness, forgiveness, and faithfulness are not small things when they are offered to God. He also encourages us to begin gently and faithfully. Spiritual growth is not achieved all at once. Like a garden, the soul needs daily care: time for prayer, reflection on God’s Word, participation in the sacraments, and a willingness to begin again after failure. God is patient with us, and we should learn to be patient with ourselves. True devotion, St. Francis reminds us, should make us more compassionate, joyful, humble, and charitable. If our faith does not touch the way we speak, work, forgive, and treat others, then it has not yet fully entered our hearts. This week, let us seek God not only in church or in moments of quiet prayer, but also in the ordinary responsibilities of life. May we discover that every moment can become an opportunity for love and that every day is an invitation to become more fully the person God created us to be. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop

Partnership With Hallow App We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Hallow, the leading Catholic prayer and meditation app. Through Hallow, you can access guided prayers, meditations, Bible readings, reflections, and much more. These resources are all available anytime and wherever you are. Whether you are beginning a daily prayer routine, looking for a few quiet moments of reflection, or hoping to deepen an already-established prayer life, Hallow offers meaningful resources for every season of life. This new partnership will provide us with a wonderful opportunity to grow closer to Christ and to one another through prayer. As a parish family, we will be able to support our mission in new ways by praying together, exploring shared spiritual resources, and encouraging one another in our journey of faith. We look forward to discovering the many ways Hallow can help us make prayer a more consistent and enriching part of our daily lives. There will be exciting opportunities for our parish to participate together, and we hope this partnership will strengthen our sense of community and deepen our commitment to prayer. More information will follow, as I have scheduled an orientation toward the end of the month. Please watch for additional details about how you can get started and become involved. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Hearing The Still Small Voice Of God Our first reading today is an important reminder of how difficult it can be to hear the voice of God in a world filled with so much noise and distraction. Elijah’s faith had already been tested before this incident. Jezebel had threatened to take his life, so he fled and told the Lord that it was too much for him and asked Him to take his life (cf. 1 Kings 19:4). An angel then appeared and told him to eat a hearth cake and drink some water, warning him that otherwise the journey to Mount Horeb would be too much for him. This reminds us that neglecting our physical well-being can have a very negative impact on our souls and our faith. The Lord often does not speak to us through dramatic signs, but through the “still small voice” or whisper, as He did with Elijah. Our world is filled with noise and with the desire to be noticed and affirmed through social media, and we often fail to hear that voice. Below is a beautiful passage from The Imitation of Christ that expresses the desire to hear the Lord’s beautiful voice, which gives us the guidance and strength we need for our spiritual journey. In the words of the psalmist, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Have a blessed week! In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor “I will hear what the Lord God will speak within me.” Blessed is the soul who hears the Lord speaking within her, who receives the word of consolation from His lips. Blessed are the ears that catch the accents of divine whispering and pay no heed to the murmurings of this world. Blessed indeed are the ears that listen, not to the voice that sounds without, but to the truth that teaches within. Blessed are the eyes that are closed to exterior things and fixed upon those that are interior. Blessed are those who penetrate inwardly and try daily to prepare themselves more and more to understand mysteries. Blessed are those who long to give their time to God and who cut themselves off from the hindrances of the world. Consider these things, my soul, and close the door of your senses so that you can hear what the Lord your God speaks within you. “I am your salvation,” says your Beloved. “I am your peace and your life. Remain with Me, and you will find peace. Dismiss all passing things and seek the eternal. What are all temporal things but snares? And what help will all creatures be able to give you if you are deserted by the Creator?” Leave all these things, therefore, and make yourself pleasing and faithful to your Creator so that you may attain true happiness. (Book 3, Chapter 1)

Champions For Christ I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who participated in Cathletics Vacation Bible School this year at St. Barbara Parish from July 27 through July 31. It was such a joy to join you and witness the joy and creativity involved in engaging our children as they learned more about our Catholic faith and God’s marvelous plan for our lives. Our leaders and volunteers put so much time and effort into providing a beautiful atmosphere and experience for the children. It was wonderful to see how much they learned and enjoyed during our closing family Mass and barbecue. Once again, this experience reminded me how blessed I am to be part of our parish family. Thank you, everyone, for your love and dedication in sharing our faith with our children so that they may grow up knowing that, in His goodness, the Lord has a marvelous future filled with hope for each one of them when they seek Him with all their hearts (cf. Jeremiah 29:11). You are all truly “Champions for Christ.” In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

An Invitation To ChristLife This fall our parish will offer ChristLife, a parish-centered evangelization and discipleship program designed to help people encounter Jesus, grow in faith, and learn to share the Gospel in everyday life. Whether you’re new to church, returning after time away, or a long-time parishioner seeking to go deeper, ChristLife meets you where you are and helps you take the next step. What is ChristLife? A simple, three-part process focused on relationship with Jesus: Discover (an invitation to meet Christ), Follow (growth in Christian life and habits), and Share (training to witness and invite others). Sessions combine prayer, short teaching, small-group conversation, and personal reflection, rooted in Scripture and the Church’s tradition. Designed to be warm, practical, and welcoming to people at every stage of faith. Why consider ChristLife? Encounter Christ more personally through Scripture, prayer, and community. Grow in confidence to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). Build supportive small groups and a culture of invitation in parish life. Equip yourself to live and share the faith with charity and clarity in family, work, and neighborhood. What to expect A welcoming environment where honest questions and real-life struggles are honored. Short, engaging sessions that foster conversation and spiritual growth. Opportunities to deepen prayer life, learn practical ways to witness, and join others on the journey of discipleship. A personal invitation I warmly invite you to consider taking part in ChristLife this Fall. Come with an open heart. Together, let us grow in our love of Christ and our ability to share that love with others. Our first training day will take place in late August and more information will be forthcoming. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Growing In Discernment In our first reading this weekend we hear the impressive story of Solomon being offered anything he wished from the Lord. He chose the gift of wisdom (knowledge of God) instead of material riches. The Lord rewarded this choice, and his kingship began on a very good footing. Unfortunately, Solomon took many foreign wives and concubines (700 wives, 300 concubines; 1 Kings 11:3). These marriages led him to tolerate and ultimately participate in the worship of their gods. Scripture explicitly says his heart was turned away from the Lord. I cannot help but think the same thing has happened in many of our Catholic institutions of learning. In the desire to be inclusive and to appeal to a wider audience, many Catholic schools and universities have lost their Catholic identity and become private schools that make a pretense of our faith while denying its real power (cf. 2 Tim 3:5). Right before he was elected, our 265th pope, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger wrote: “Today, having a clear faith based on the Creed of the Church is often labeled as fundamentalism. Whereas relativism — that is, letting oneself be ‘tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine’ — seems the only attitude that can cope with modern times. We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one's own ego and desires. We, however, have a different goal: the Son of God, the true man. He is the measure of true humanism. An ‘adult’ faith is not a faith that follows the trends of fashion and the latest novelty; a mature, adult faith is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ. It is this friendship that opens us up to all that is good and gives us a criterion by which to distinguish the true from the false, and deceit from truth. We must develop this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith — only faith — that creates unity and is fulfilled in love.” St. Paul reminds us that without love we are nothing but a clanging symbol. Love is not tolerating anything and everything; it is rooted in the truth God has revealed to us. Let us pray for a mature faith, rooted in love for God and for one another, that does not compromise but speaks the truth in love (cf. Eph 4:15). In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

The Knights of Columbus and Random Acts of Kindness I just returned from the Chalet Theatre in Enumclaw after my 11th viewing of the Knights of Columbus production, The Face of Mercy. I still get choked up during parts of it. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. A huge thanks to all the Knights in our parish family for the many great things you do. I am a proud lifetime member and joined while I was in the seminary. The Knights showed tremendous kindness and support to me along the way and continue to do so; I am very grateful. I also remember a woman from my former parish who came to tell me about her mother, a real role model and woman of faith. Her husband had abandoned the family, and one Christmas they were in dire straits: they could not afford a tree, presents, or even enough food. She said she walked past her mother’s bedroom and saw her kneeling on the floor, praying the Rosary and begging God to help provide for the family. A short time later there was a knock at the door, and several Knights of Columbus arrived with a beautiful Christmas tree, presents, and a generous dinner for everyone. I was deeply moved by her testimony. I have always believed in the power of praying mothers and trust that the Lord has a special tenderness for them and the sacrifices they make for their families. There currently isn’t a working kitchen in the rectory because of a major plumbing breakdown. We were able to order new appliances over the Fourth of July holiday at a great discount, but there was nowhere to store them. I had to tackle my garage (a danger zone) and clean it out. I lined the driveway with items that needed to go to the dump. I don’t own a truck and was going to have to ask for help or rent one. One morning I woke to find everything cleared away. I tried to discover who performed this random act of kindness so I could say “thank you,” but I haven’t been able to find out. Thanks to whoever it was — and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a member of the Knights of Columbus. I am feeling grateful and blessed to be part of our parish family. Have a blessed week! In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Putting God First Our Scripture readings this weekend speak of the necessity of dying to ourselves and taking up our cross. Without the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, this teaching can seem harsh. For those growing toward spiritual maturity, it is foundational to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. What the Lord is actually teaching us is that God must come first in our lives, not be a secondary consideration. I remember reading a warning years ago about this perennial temptation: “The germ of all temptation is setting God aside, so that he seems to be a secondary concern compared with the urgent priorities of our lives. To consider ourselves and the needs and desires of the moment more important than he is—that is the temptation that always besets us. In doing so, we deny God his divinity, and we make ourselves, or rather the powers that threaten us, into our god.” (Pope Benedict XVI, On the Way to Jesus Christ, p. 86) We live in a society filled with idols, things that try to crowd out and replace our relationship with God. The widespread attempt to make faith merely a private, unimportant matter within our secularized society has ushered in many vices, dysfunctions, and chaos. We especially see these destructive effects within our families. When the Lord is first in our lives, the Holy Spirit orders and directs us toward the goal of love of God and love of neighbor. The first reading shows how putting someone else’s needs first (Elisha the prophet) brought the blessing of a child. Hospitality is a vital part of our Christian faith; making people feel loved and welcomed is the first step in sharing our faith with them. Taking up our cross in the modern world means laying down our cell phones and busy schedules and actively praying in the Holy Spirit for opportunities to be present to the Lord, who helps us be present to ourselves and to others. Many of Jesus’ teachings initially sound harsh because we hear them in the flesh and not in the Spirit. When we hear and obey them, our lives bear spiritual fruit, and healing and redemption are furthered in our world today. Have a blessed week! In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Yoked with Christ I am writing at the close of a deeply blessed five-day retreat at Franciscan University in Steubenville. The talks, Adoration, and prayer have been consoling and restorative. I leave rejuvenated and eager to share what the Lord has poured into me. On the first night one presenter spoke about acedia, a spiritual weariness that pushes us to substitute activity and busyness for real intimacy with God. The remedy he offered comes straight from Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… for my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” During a guided meditation I was drawn back to a memory of lying on a dock at Lake Crescent with friends, staring up at a spectacular, meteor streaked sky. In that vastness I felt small and insignificant, until the Spirit gently brought me to the truth of the Incarnation. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to draw us into a new life. Jesus invites us to take His yoke, not as a burden, but as companionship and formation. A yoke pairs two together so the more experienced guides the pace. When we are yoked to Christ, we do not walk alone or have to manufacture our worth by constant doing. We learn to pace our lives by gazing at Him, allowing His meekness and humility to shape our steps and to give rest to our hearts. May we all, especially when weariness tempts us to run ahead or to retreat into busyness, take up His gentle yoke and rest in His presence. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop

Get ready for Cathletics VBS - where kids train to become Champions for Christ! This high-energy, Olympic-themed adventure inspires children to aim high, grow strong in God’s Word, and go for the gold in their Catholic faith. Event Details REGISTRATION CLOSED Dates: July 27 - July 31st, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Friday ends at 1:30 PM) Location: St. Barbara Catholic Church, Black Diamond, WA Ages: Children entering Kindergarten - incoming 5th Graders View example schedule here 📞 Have questions? Contact Zack Midles at 360-789-5589 or zmidles@gmail.com 💲 Cost: See tables below! --> Includes snacks, craft supplies, and take-home items. (Full and Partial Scholarships available!) If you have already registered but are looking for payment instructions, you can go here: https://www.stbarbarachurch.org/vbs-payment-page 🎉 Volunteer Perk: Parents or Guardians who volunteer 3 or more days during VBS receive 25% off registration + early registration access! Registration CLOSED Limited spots available! ✔️ General registration closes June 28th (or when full) Number of Children Price per Child Total Cost 1 Child $85 $85 2 Children $75 Per Child $150 3+ Children $70 Per Child (Family Cap: $210 for 3+ kids) $210 Max Total Full and Partial Scholarships available, we don't want cost to be a reason to not come! ✔️ Volunteer 25% discount registration Number of Children Price per Child Total Cost 1 Child $63 $63 2 Children $56 per child $112 3+ Children $52 Per Child (Family Cap: $123.75 for 3+ kids) $156 ✨ What to Expect Every day is packed with faith-building fun, including: 📖 Bible Stories & Lessons – Making Scripture come to life 🙏 Catholic Prayers & Traditions – Woven into daily activities 🎨 Creative Crafts & Hands-On Projects – Bringing faith into action 🎶 Music, Worship & Movement – Singing and celebrating together 🏃 Outdoor Games & Team Challenges – Building friendships & teamwork 🎉 Friday Family Celebration – Parents are invited to join the joy! This program is designed to help children connect with their faith in a fun, engaging, and memorable way. We Need You! Parent & Guardian Volunteers Get Perks! VBS is only possible with the help of volunteers like you! Whether you can serve for a day or the entire week, your presence makes a difference. ✅ Volunteer Perks: Free childcare – For younger siblings (toddler - pre-K) on volunteer days (limited spots). 25% off your child’s VBS registration – If you volunteer for 3 or more days! Middle schoolers can help – If a parent is also volunteering that day. Ways to Help: Group Leaders & Assistants – Guide small groups Snack & Craft Helpers – Support hands-on activities Game Leaders – Organize outdoor fun Music Leaders – Help kids engage through song and movement Youth Volunteers (High School) – Assist with songs, skits, and small groups Setup & Cleanup Crew – Help create a welcoming space and clean up on Friday Single Day Shifts Available Registration CLOSED 📣 Spread the Word! VBS is more fun with friends! Invite other families to join this unforgettable journey of faith. Have questions? Contact Zack Midles at 360-789-5589 or 📧 zmidles@gmail.com Mark your calendars and register early – spaces fill quickly! We can’t wait to see you at VBS! 🌟

Reparation — Overcoming Evil with Good If you have not read Archbishop Etienne’s pastoral letter on the Sacred Heart, I highly encourage you to do so. It appears in the most recent edition of Northwest Catholic and is also available on the Archdiocesan website. It offers a beautiful exposition of the Sacred Heart devotion and explains why it is so relevant. Reading the section on reparation reminded me of an experience I had while attending the 2005 International Retreat for Priests in Ars, France. One day we were bused to Paray‑le‑Monial, the town where the apparitions were given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. We were told the day was set aside as a day of reparation for the clergy sexual‑abuse crisis. I entered the day with a partially hardened heart — feeling shame about the whole sad reality but also thinking that I hadn’t done anything wrong. I felt anger toward those bad priests and at the harm they inflicted on innocent children. As the day went on, numerous presentations explained the significance of the Sacred Heart apparitions and devotion. I could feel my heart beginning to soften and realized that we couldn’t run away from the tragedy but had to do what we could to seek forgiveness and healing. Whether we like it or not, our actions affect one another for good or for ill. The theology of reparation is rooted in St. Paul’s words to the Colossians: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24). Seeking reparation for our sins and for those of others helps us avoid a victim spirit. We can offer our sufferings for the good of the Church, and in doing so the Holy Spirit leads us to deep healing and to a sharing in the sufferings of Christ. In this way we are enabled to love with the heart of Jesus for the salvation of the world. Recently a friend who was facing serious medical problems told me she was offering that suffering for the conversion of at least fifty priests. I smiled and thanked her. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor

Learning From The Example of Others My first assignment as a newly ordained priest was with Fr. Jim Lee, who passed away on December 22, 2024. He was a great blessing and mentor to me, and I thank God that I had the opportunity to learn from him. We both stepped into a very difficult environment because past leadership in the parish had greatly compromised and undermined the role of the pastor and, in general, the clergy. A group of people loyal to the previous pastor and determined to resist the new leadership quickly formed, and we had to deal with their complaints. They were not at all orthodox or faithful to Catholic teaching and doctrine. One of these members cornered me after Mass and criticized me for declaring the divinity of Jesus Christ, saying that he clearly didn’t believe in it. He had been helping as a catechist with people interested in coming into the Catholic Church. We had numerous meetings with this group of disgruntled parishioners; it was a very difficult time, especially for Fr. Lee. I was still on my honeymoon as a newly ordained priest. Although I was included in some of their complaints, which they shared with the Archdiocese, they were incredibly unkind and vicious toward Fr. Lee. Eventually, a representative from the Archdiocese was brought into one of these meetings. When I asked her how she thought the meeting had gone (which I thought was awful because of the conduct and disrespect shown), she replied, “It is hard to hold hands with a hissing snake.” Through this tumultuous first year, Fr. Lee demonstrated tremendous charity but ultimately discerned that these people were not going to show respect or, in any way, be team players; they were determined to attack and undermine him. He finally concluded that they were taking his time and pastoral attention away from other people who truly believed in Catholic teaching. He respectfully said that he would celebrate the Sacraments for them but did not wish to dedicate any further time or attention to their concerns. I must admit that my response to them wasn’t quite as charitable. Fr. Lee taught me that the way we conduct ourselves in these situations is of utmost importance. Scripture says to overcome evil with good (cf. Romans 12:21). I am so grateful for the wonderful men and women God has surrounded me with, who teach us by their example to follow the way of Jesus. In Christ, Fr. James Northrop, Pastor