Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

    As you may realize the Liturgy/Eucharist is the most important thing we do as Catholics and for which our churches were built. The Liturgy brings Our Lord to us in Word and Sacrament. Music plays a big part in enhancing and uplifting the liturgy. Music and singing has always been a part of our Catholic liturgical tradition. I have heard stories about the choirs that our parishes have had over the years and the musicians that have been involved. The reality is that many of those choirs and musicians are gone now and we have been struggling to maintain quality and consistent liturgical music.   An opportunity has arisen for us to enhance the quality and consistency of the Liturgical Music. Brianna Snyder, a trained musician and experienced cantor, has been volunteering as a cantor for some time. I am happy to announce that she will be become the Director of Music Ministries for our parishes. She will oversee and plan music in our parishes including weddings and funerals. 

   The goal will be to build and sustain congregational singing while offering a broad spectrum of excellent music drawing from the richness of our Catholic tradition. Brianna will recruit, train and sustain cantors, accompanists and instrumentalists to lead and animate our parish liturgies. Welcome Brianna!

Maintenance Update

   As for ongoing parish maintenance needs, Julian Taylor, who is currently the contractor renovating the Rectory, will be maintained as an on-call maintenance person. He has vast construction and maintenance experience and can repair almost anything. Julian is local and is happy to provide this service for us. He was invaluable in the repairs that needed done after the pipe burst in St. Mary's parish hall, which are now complete.

   Additionally, Sonja Howder is the new custodian at St. Mary's. She will be doing regular cleaning of the bathrooms and parish hall, among other assigned duties. She has been cleaning at Holy Ghost and St. Joseph for some time. We are happy to have Sonja provide this service to keep our facility fresh and clean and are impressed by what she has been able to accomplish so far. Welcome Julian and Sonja!

This week's potluck theme: Ultimate Salads!

All-Parish Faith Night will begin at 6 pm on Wednesday with a potluck meal themed "Ultimate Salads." What kind of salad will you bring? Pasta, fruit, egg salad sandwiches or leafy green goodness? Contact our dinner coordinator Emily Garner with any questions at 509-378-8925. If you are looking for an opportunity to serve others or you simply want to grow in your faith, please join us on Wednesday nights. Dinner starts at 6 pm and faith formation classes for all ages begin at 6:30 pm. Fr. Vincent will continue his presentation about his Pilgrimage in Italy last fall. As usual, confessions are available at 5 pm with mass at 5:30 pm.

By PREPARES Regional Coordinator Pat Taylor   

   Icy conditions did not prevent St. Mary’s PREPARES ministry from conducting its first Community Baby Shower on Thursday, January 12, concurrent with a diaper distribution event. Hosted by the CAPA/PREPARES program, Shari DePaul, perinatal educator, provided baby, health, and parenting advice and informed of available community resources, all in a loving and nurturing environment. Four expectant or new mothers plus one soon-to-be dad, as well as friends and siblings, attended the event. Besides the presentation, all five parents received $50 Safeway gift cards and selected from an assortment of free essential baby items including baby clothing, blankets, winter coats, bundles of diapers, packages of baby wipes, and books. Two expectant moms each won an amazing door prize: an infant car seat and a pack and play portable playpen. 

   The baby shower provided an excellent opportunity for the parish PREPARES ministry to network and interact with other parish ministries, including: the St. Mary of the Rosary Women’s Auxiliary who helped set up, take down, and clean up as well as bring home-baked goodies; the PREPARES ministry of St. Mary’s in Spokane Valley that donated baby clothing; St. Mary’s Presentation PREPARES in Deer Park that provided baby blankets; and the Immaculate Conception Parish (Colville) Women in Grace ministry who donated handmade baby quilts for the newborn totes. In addition, the NE Washington region PREPARES contributed winter coats and books, and PREPARES Eastern Washington Region provided the door prizes. A Colville social service agency donated the gift cards. By the conclusion of the event, three of the moms had signed up for the diaper distribution program and the dad-to-be expressed hope for the establishment of a father’s support group. Thanks to all for a successful community outreach event!

     For questions, or to get involved, contact Pat Taylor at 509-942-9592.

If you have contributed to our parishes in the last year, you should receive a letter by mail soon with the amount you donated for the year. Thank you to everyone who supports our parishes! If you have any questions or need to update your mailing address, please contact the office.

Bishop Daly is inviting all parishioners in our Diocese to participate in the Bishop’s Collection for Catholic Schools. This collection in an annual collection Bishop Daly began four years ago to provide financial support for our parochial schools. Every community in our Diocese, even those without schools, benefit from the strength and health of our system of Catholic Schools. All parishioners will receive a mailing from Bishop Daly with information about this collection. If you do not receive a mailing and would like to donate, please visit the diocesan website www.dioceseofspokane.org or use one of the envelopes we have available at our each parish.