Weekly Newsletter
For the Week of Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Catholic church in Malawi is young, vibrant and faithful and could use our help.
Making a Difference in Malawi
Pastor's Letter by Fr. Vincent Gilmore
Dear Parishioners,
Over the last three years my former parish developed a sister parish relationship with a Catholic parish in Malawi Africa. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Most in Malawi live on a subsistence leaven and without electricity. Our sister parish program helped with several parish projects and put many wells in the rural villages.
My former parish also made two mission trips to the Malawi parish, which proved to a life-changing experience for all who were involved. The Catholic church in Malawi is young, vibrant and faithful. I could not get over the number of children, young people and families engaged in the Church there. They are also experiencing many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
I wish I could bring that sister parish relationship here but that is not possible nor feasible. But there is something I would like to do on a smaller scale that can help. While in Malawi we made a relationship with a community of nuns who run a girls boarding high school, it is called Our Lady of Lourdes Girls Catholic School. One of my former staff members, Hannah, has gone there this past fall to teach in this school. She updates us often on her experience and is loving the experience. Visit Hannah's blog at gloriaegratiae.wixsite.com/ofrockpilesandcathed
Some months ago, Hannah made known a need the school has. There are many qualified girls who would like to attend the Catholic school but cannot because they are not able to pay the tuition. Hannah asked if my parishes would be interested in supplying scholarships so that these girls could attend. I would like to do this as an all-parish almsgiving effort for Lent. Scholarships cost about $300 to pay for one girl's tuition for an entire year. This would be a real way that we could help these Catholic families Malawi to educate their daughters in a Catholic School. For most of them this is the only opportunity at an education. We will have more information on this almsgiving effort as we get closer to Lent.
Hannah has also indicated to me that the parishes and mission stations in her area need liturgical items to celebrate mass. They are too poor to buy them. They are lacking basic things like vestments, vessels, etc. I have noticed that in all of our sacristies there are items that have not been used for decades nor will they ever be used. A lot of vestments are simply outdated. What we don’t use here will be a treasure for our Catholic brothers and sisters in Malawi. I plan on going through the sacristies of our churches and see what we do not need and what can be given to them.
I would welcome a group of people from our parishes who would be willing to form a committee to support and understand the needs of the Catholic Church in Malawi. A future goal could even be to take a mission trip to Malawi.
Hannah teaches at the Lady of Lourdes Girls Catholic School.
Tickets on Sale Now until Jan. 24
The last day to buy tickets for St. Mary's Mardi Gras Event is this Tuesday, Jan. 24. Tickets are $25 and available in the office or after 10 am mass - you don't want to miss it! No tickets will be available at the door. Social starts at 5:15 pm this Saturday, January 28 with a salmon or prime rib dinner at 6 pm. There will be a raffle and a chance to bid on some amazing desserts during the dessert auction that follows dinner. The money raised at this year's fundraiser will go toward installing lights in St. Mary's Parking Lot. If you are able to provide a homemade dessert for the auction, contact Angela Proszek at 509-935-4496.
Mass Schedule Changes for this Week
Father Vincent is away Jan. 23-27
While Fr. Vincent is away this coming week, Jan. 23-27, weekday masses and Wednesday confessions are canceled. However, Eucharistic Adoration will be available on Friday, Jan. 27 at St. Mary's from 9-10 a.m.
The 6 pm Sacred Heart Mass on Saturday, Jan. 28 is also canceled because of St. Mary's Mardi Gras dinner.
Upcoming this week:
St. Mary's Coffee & Donuts
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, 11 am, St. Mary's
St. Mary's coffee and donuts will be served after 10 am mass this Sunday. Please join us! With Mardi Gras next weekend, there will be no Coffee and Donuts on Jan. 29 as the committee will be busy cleaning the hall. Thank you!
All-Parish Faith Night
Bring a family favorite potluck dish this week!
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, 6 pm, St. Mary's
All-Parish Faith Night will begin at 6 pm with a potluck meal themed "Family Favorites." Bring a family favorite dish to share! Emily Garner is is now the coordinator for all Faith Night meals, please contact her with any questions. Thank you Emily for volunteering! Since Fr. Vincent is out of town this week, Matt Cobb will be the speaker on the following topic: “Do ALL good people go to heaven?” Well, according to the Gospels - not exactly. There will be a short video from Fr. Mike Schmitz on this topic followed by discussion. Find out: “What are the necessary steps to gain eternal life!” There will be no mass or confession. Dinner starts at 6 and faith formation classes for all ages begin at 6:30 pm.
Mardi Gras Dinner and Dessert Auction
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 5:15 pm, St. Mary's
This Saturday! See above for more information. Tickets on sale until Jan. 24. No tickets at the door.
Walk for Life Northwest
This Sunday, Jan. 22, Downtown Spokane
The 7th Annual Walk for Life Northwest will be this Sunday, January 22. Mass will be celebrated at 11 am at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Downtown Spokane with an information tent set up beginning at noon at the Rotary Fountain at the South Howard Street Bridge in Riverfront Park. The Keynote speaker and walk begins at 12:30 pm. The Keynote speaker, Louis Brown, is a Catholic civil rights lawyer and Executive Director of Christ Medicus Foundation. According to the Diocese of Spokane's Respect Life office: On the heels of the Dobbs vs Jackson Supreme Court decision, pro-life people around the world have turned out in great numbers with new enthusiasm and the conviction that abortion can be defeated. It will not happen through the change in law, however righteous, but through a change of heart. The real battle for the soul of the nation is a return to foundational principles that assumed the dignity of all life. The majority of the people in our nation believe in the value of human life. But it has to be fought for. Please join us at the Walk for Life NW to give witness to our willingness to defend life.
Parish News:
Council Minutes Posted
St. Mary's Parish Council met last Thursday, Jan. 12. The minutes are posted online and on the parish hall bulletin board across from the office. Additionally, South Stevens County Parishes Finance Council met this Wednesday, Jan. 18 for its quarterly meeting and those minutes will be posted online and at each parish by next weekend. We will also be posting the quarterly Profit and Loss Statements for each parish as well. All council minutes and associated documents can be found at chewelahcatholic.org under "Ministries." For any Finance Council questions, contact Finance Chair Chris Anderson at 661-733-8953.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
St. Mary's Ladies Auxiliary is supporting the return of the prayer shawl ministry within our parishes. Parishioners are invited to knit or crochet a prayer shawl to be available in the office for anyone to pick up for a sick or grieving loved one. Yarn and materials will be reimbursed by the Ladies Auxiliary. Contact Kellie in the office if you want to be involved or are in need of a prayer shawl.