Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
This weekend, we learn about putting our trust in God and God alone. This theme echoes throughout all three readings, from the story of Abraham being called to sacrifice his son Isaac, to St. Paul's letter to the Romans, to Mark's Gospel recounting of the Transfiguration. Sometimes we can lose our faith in the midst of our suffering. Jesus reminds us all that what lies ahead is so much bigger than our suffering in the present age.
The Navarre Bible commentary said, "Our Lord's transfiguration in the presence of his disciples (the three most beloved, who will later witness his agony: 14:33) is a counterpoint to his passion and an anticipation of its fruit-resurrection and glorification. Christians, too, need to learn to 'consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.'"
This is a good reminder for us all to trust in Jesus and his promise of our future together with him - absent of all pain, all suffering, all fear, all anxiety. This is a place where our pride, our judgment, our anger, our resentment, our lust, and our greed will be no more.
What a place that will be!
Peace...
Deacon Dennis Kelly
Pastoral Coordinator
Christ Our Hope / St. Patrick Parish Communities
dennis@stpatrickseattle.org
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Friday Lenten Morning Prayer begins this Friday!
All are welcome to join Christ Our Hope's Friday Lenten Morning Prayer at 8 AM on Zoom. The link for the 8 AM prayer throughout Lent will be the same each week. Please contact Laura (lauradavidash@aol.com).
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We Are Called
CRS Rice Bowls are now available. These help assist with our Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. If you're attending Mass virtually, you can still participate in CRS Rice Bowl.
Give your CRS Rice Bowl donation online and make a difference in the lives of people in your local community and around the world!
If you would like to make your own Rice Bowl at home, you can follow the instructions by clicking here. More resources are available here: https://www.crsricebowl.org/families.
During the 40 days of Lent, we will reflect on how hunger and malnutrition affect our human family, and on the need to take action to end this global injustice. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.
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Cooking, Cocktails, and Community!
Join us for the first Lenten Cooking, Cocktails & Community next Friday, February 26th at 5:30 PM on Zoom!
Please contact Kelly Hickman for the Zoom link (kellyhickmanmats@gmail.com).
This Lent, we will be fasting together with simple meals using the CRS Rice Bowl recipes, each paired with a simple cocktail and mocktail recipe you can make at home.
Our first gathering will be hosted by Christ Our Hope parishioner Paul Gusmorino! Below are the ingredients for the Vary Amin'anana (Greens with Rice) recipe from Madagascar, as well as for a simple cocktail and mocktail pairing.
Get your ingredients in advance, and we can't wait to be together virtually on the 26th! If you are unable to view the recipe online it is listed below:
2 T fair trade olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 medium tomato, diced
1 clove garlic
1 t fresh ginger, minced
3 c packed collard greens or kale
1 c rice
2 c water
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in medium-sized pot. Add onion, tomato, garlic and ginger, and sauté until just tender. Add collard greens or kale, and stir 1 minute. Add rice, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on medium heat for 25 minutes or until water is absorbed. Serves 4-5 people.
Save the date for future events!
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Racial Justice Lenten Small Groups
You are encouraged to also join a small reflection group that meets once a week throughout Lent to discuss what you are learning, share your thoughts, and help to build community. These groups will be facilitated by the Racial Equity Committee of both St. Patrick's and Christ Our Hope communities.
The small reflection groups are underway. The facilitator and schedule are as follows:
If you would like more information please reach out to Lisa Dennison at lisa2karl@aol.com.
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Lenten Tree of Hope
Our Lenten Tree of Hope is up in the Church, benefiting our Sister Parish in Nueva Trinidad. Please pick up a tag and give to the various projects in the community in El Salvador, such as the senior food program and internet connections for all. Muchas gracias por todos.
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Care for Creation

It's Lent. Try free-range eggs: better for health and chickens. Get entertained by using the CluckAR app to see if your brand's "free range" is actually cruelty free. You can access via this link (https://www.choice.com.au/about-us/products-and-services/cluckar-mobile-app)
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Saturday Night Games Night
Our third (of twice monthly) Game Night this Saturday Night, March 6th, 6 PM-8 PM, at Paddy's virtual Place. (Game Nights will alternate between BINGO and card games: BINGO was last time).
Elaine Clark is host and Ellen Carpentier will assist with communications between deaf and hearing players. To participate virtually, each player (or group playing as one person) will need access to 2 browsers: one for the game and another for communication via Zoom. All are welcome to join on Zoom. Contact Elaine for the Zoom link (eclarkpt2@gmail.com).
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Wednesday Movie Night!

Join us for Wednesday Movie Night on March 3rd at 6:30 PM, where we are presenting episode 2 of the new, 2-part, PBS series "The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song", hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr.
This ties in with our small group Lenten reflection series, Racial Justice - A Lenten Pilgrimage with the Prophets. Join us for the documentary and discussion. Contact Paul Sampson (pdsampson@comcast.net) for the Zoom LINK.
For more information and additional resources including watching episode 1 (in case you missed it), check out the link below https://www.pbs.org/show/black-church/
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Sacred Encounters

In the weeks ahead, St. Patrick and Christ Our Hope will launch the new Sacred Encounters ministry. This ministry is open to participation by all in our community. While a small group will actually take to the streets to minister to those experiencing homelessness in downtown Seattle, we will need everyone's help to sustain this important outreach initiative. For those interested in being part of the street team, formation has begun (on Zoom - Sessions recorded). Please reach out to Dcn. Dennis dennis@stpatrickseattle.org and let him know of your interest in joining this group.
This new ministry will allow our paired parish community to better be a part of what Pope Francis calls a Culture of Encounter with those suffering on the peripheries. Everyone in our parish can do their part to help sustain this important effort.
We are collecting needed "survival" items for this effort. Please consider donating the following items via Amazon Wish List. Dollar stores have great deals. Items include: Multiple package Kleenex, Combs, Soap, Chapstick, and Disposable Razors, Travel size Shampoo, Conditioners, and Hand Lotion. You can purchase these items via the following Amazon Wishlist account by clicking here.
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The Year of Eucharist
Archbishop Paul D. Etienne invites everyone to celebrate the Year of the Eucharist. Started last June during the pandemic, the Archbishop said, "During the coming year, I ask every Catholic and every parish community to commit themselves to deepening our understanding and experience of the Eucharist and strengthening our Eucharistic liturgies."
More resources and communication will be shared in the coming weeks to take a closer look at the presence of the Eucharist in our lives. In the meantime, here are 12 New Year's Eucharistic resolutions suggested in a recent article in Northwest Catholic. You can access the article here.
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Free Tax Aid for the Community from United Way
From February 12th to April 18th, 2021, trained and IRS-certified tax experts will be available to provide online assistance in filing your taxes. United Way Tax Program works hard to maximize your return so you can keep more of your money. They can also assist with claiming stimulus check money. It also allows people to file for free online and get information and assistance over the phone in numerous languages. If you would like more information you can check out our website at https://www.uwkc.org/need-help/tax-help/.
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Called to Serve as Christ UPDATE
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Here's an update on our parish's participation in the Called to Serve as Christ Campaign:
Campaign Goal: $423,466
# of Gifts: 77
% of Families: 38%
Total Pledged: $168,575
% of Goal: 40%
Parish Share to be donated to Women Religious Orders:
$25,286
Click here to donate
Thank you to all who have donated to this worthy campaign. This money will ensure a secure retirement and healthcare for our women religious and our priests.
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