Weekly Newsletter
For the Week of Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023
The Epiphany of the Lord
Pope Benedict's Influence
Pastor's Letter by Fr. Vincent Gilmore
Dear Parishioners,
Here's a quick note about the flood that happened in the hall at St. Mary’s Christmas Day. We are so fortunate and grateful that a parishioner caught the issue when they did and we were able to get the main shut off quickly and the restoration company was here within an hour mopping up and setting up fans. We only sustained a fraction of the damage we did last year. We will be submitting an insurance claim to cover the costs. We will do our best to ensure when we build back to do so in such a way to avoid such occurrences in the future.
The death of Pope Benedict XVI gives us pause to reflect what this great pope has done for the church in our time. As I mentioned in my homily last week how much influence Pope Benedict has had on the Church and me personally. One of the greatest gifts that Pope Benedict XVI gave to the Church was the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) which was promulgated in 1997. This was a collaborative effort by St. John Paul II and Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict) to bring a new Catechism to the church that would definitely clarify church teaching. The last official Church catechism was from after the Council of Trent over 500 years ago.
This CCC is really a very precious gift that both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have given for the church of our time. Now available to all of us official Catholic Church teaching. We no longer have to depend on other sources and opinions.
A few years ago, I followed a daily podcast called the Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. It was fabulous. He did a great job with it. With the success of the Bible in a Year, Fr. Mike and Ascension Press have decided to do the Catechism in a Year for 2023. I plan to follow this podcast and the first sessions have been very good.
I believe this is a great resource and educational opportunity and would encourage anyone to do the Bible in a Year and now to begin the Catechism in a Year that started Jan. 1. Ascension Press also restarted Bible in a Year on Jan. 1 for those that want to take it day by day.
Mardi Gras Dinner January 28
Tickets on Sale Now
Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 28 for the return of the Mardi Gras Dinner and Dessert Auction at St. Mary’s! Tickets will be $25 per person with the choice of Prime Rib or Salmon Dinner. Social starts at 5:15 pm with Dinner at 6 pm followed by the dessert auction. You are welcome to bring a beverage of our choice. We need desserts! Please contact the office if you would be able to provide a dessert for the auction. Tickets will be for sale after 10 am mass at St. Mary's and at the office.
Upcoming this week:
St. Mary's Coffee & Donuts
Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, 11 am, St. Mary's
St. Mary's coffee and donuts will be served after 10 am mass this Sunday!
All-Parish Faith Night
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, 6 pm, St. Mary's
All Parish Faith Night continues this Wednesday. We will have taco night for the meal at 6 pm. Let us know if you would like to contribute anything! Faith formation classes for all ages begins at 6:30 pm. As always, Confessions are available at 5 pm with daily mass at 5:30 pm.
Knights of Columbus Meeting
Wednesday, Jan 11, 2023, 7 pm St. Mary's
The Chewelah Council of the Knights of Columbus meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 pm. This month's meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 11 in the rectory.
Holy Ghost Breakfast Potluck
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, 9 am, Holy Ghost
Holy Ghost parish postponed the potluck breakfast originally scheduled for this weekend and have moved it to Jan. 15 after 8 am mass at Holy Ghost in Valley. Everyone is invited to bring something to share!
PREPARES is a statewide initiative of the Catholic Bishops of Washington State which was launched in October of 2014. The initiative supports parishes to outreach and accompany pregnant mothers, fathers, and families with children up to the child’s fifth birthday embracing the first critical years of a child’s life. Please consider becoming a PREPARES volunteer to help families in this community.
Baby 101 Baby Shower
Jan. 12, St. Mary's Parish Hall
Moms and families are invited to attend the Community Baby Shower at St. Mary's on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Hosted by the CAPA/PREPARES program, Shari DePaulo, perinatal educator, will give a Baby 101 presentation at this event. Food, gifts, and basic baby supplies will be available as well as the PREPARES regular monthly diaper distribution (which takes place every second and third Thursday of each month). Do you know someone who is an expectant parent or has a child? Please invite them to this free event. Any parishioners are also welcome to help serve refreshments and provide a supportive community to those attending. Questions? Contact Pat Taylor, 509-942-9592.
Annual Catholic Calendars Coming Next Week!
The annual calendars from Catholic Extension will be arriving Jan. 10 according to the shipping information. We will get them to you soon!