Speakeasy Thursday

Speakeasy is our weekly faith-sharing and exploring experience Thursdays at 7 pm in the lower level of the St. Joseph Parish Center. We turn to the readings for the coming Sunday's mass in a contemplative setting, coming together to nourish our faith. The next Speakeasy is set for this Thursday, May 24. If it's a warm and sunny evening, look for us in the small courtyard next to the parish center.

This Thursday will be our last weekly Speakeasy. During that brief period of sunshine we humorously call "summer," Speakeasy will out and about just like you. Until the fall season, just about the time that a certain drama about Seattle surgeons returns, (GA peeps, you know who I mean) Speakeasy will meet monthly.

Northwest Harvest Volunteers Needed Saturday

St Joe's dedicates the third Saturday of the month to volunteering at the Northwest Harvest food bank warehouse and you are needed. The next volunteer service is set for Saturday, May 19, 1 pm-3 pm, at their warehouse located beneath the Magnolia Bridge. We would like to see 10-15 volunteers out there. If you can participate, please let Joanne know at jogreb@gmail.com.

Directions to the Northwest Harvest warehouse (from their website):

The Seattle warehouse is in Building 50 at Terminal 91. This is the common term for its location. It is at the foot of the Magnolia Bridge near W Marina Place, on the way to Palisade Restaurant at 2601 W Marina Place. If you want to use a map on the Internet, the closest address is 2001 W Garfield.

Get in Early on the Summer Fun

You, yes, you... can get in early on the great events we are going to have this summer!

Becuz, you are going to the summer fun '07 planning meeting happenin' this Sunday, May 20, in the parish center, immediately following the 5:30 pm Mass. FREE GRUB!

Can't you almost taste those beach burgers, feel the warm sun as you summit another Cascade mountain top hike, hear the sounds of another outdoor concert? And we're going to take pics of you and post it on this blog. Seriously.

Deacon Steve W on Tap this Thursday

Our own Deacon Steve Wodzanowski will lead us in exploring The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola to prayerfully invite more Divine Love into our lives . He's the featured speaker for the May 2007 Ignatian Spirituality Center's Spirituality on Tap set for Thursday, May 17, 7 pm at St. Edwards Parish Center Chapel. Co-Sponsored by St. Paul, St. Edward & St. George Parishes.

Gather at 6:45 pm, program starts at 7 pm. Afterwards, around 8:45pm, we will gather at Tutta Bella Pizzeria in Columbia City for some good food and conversation. St. Edwards Parish Center Chapel is located at 4212 S. Mead St., Seattle 98118. Phone: 206.819.1469.

Maama Omwaana benefit this Saturday

Our friends at Magis: Alumni Committed for Mission sent us this invitation to good fun, good food for a good cause:

You are invited to a fundraiser for the Seattle University-sponsored Maama Omwaana Project, a maternal and child health project in Uganda.

The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 19 at Southlake Grill , which is located at 1253 Thomas St. (across from REI). The cost is $40 ($20 for students), and includes an appetizer buffet, entertainment and an information session. RSVP by May 17 to Ruth White, assistant professor of social work, at ruthw@seattleu.edu. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the project.

The Maama Omwaana Safe Motherhood Initiative, Njeru, Uganda uses the force of other mothers-village women and community health workers-to educate the community about safe motherhood. This grassroots educational effort (which relies heavily on bicycles for transportation) is changing health behaviors and resulting in increased use of prenatal care and midwives.

Cool Pics on St Joe Site

Just to let you know, in case you haven't already noticed, there are some great pics on the St Joseph Parish.org website. On the front page, the usual slideshow presentation now features pics from the centennial mass and the gala, including some familiar party people!

Speakeasy Thursdays, Spirituality on Tap

Speakeasy is our weekly faith-sharing and exploring experience Thursdays at 7 pm in the lower level of the St. Joseph Parish Center. We focus on the readings for the coming Sunday's mass in a contemplative setting, coming together to nourish our faith. The next Speakeasy is set for Thursday, May 10.

Speakeasy meets weekly except for the third Thursday of the month which is the Ignatian Spirituality Center's Spirituality on Tap presented at various parishes in the archdiocese. Next week, Thursday, May 17, 7 pm, Spirituality on Tap heads to St. Edwards Parish Center Chapel, 4212 S. Mead St., Seattle 98118. Our own Deacon Steve W. will lead us in exlporing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. More info next week.

BTW: Looking ahead a bit, Speakeasy will run to the end of Easter season which culminates on Pentecost Sunday, May 27, so the last weekly Speakeasy will be May 24. Don't worry, though, it's not going away, just going on summer vay-kay. Of course, there's lots more other stuff coming up this summer, so stay tuned.

More Party People Pics

You know him, you love him, the one and only Freakin' Deacon!

Party People Celebrate the 100th

We are family, I got all my sisters with me...

Hey, who let these guys into the party?

The faithful, gettin' down with their bad selves.

First Friday Speaker Series at St. James Cathedral

St. James Cathedral Young Adults presents its' First Friday Speaker Series this Friday, May 4, 7:30 pm, in the Fireside Room, Pastoral Outreach Center at St. James Cathedral.

The guest speaker will be Corinna Laughlin, Director of Liturgy at St. James. In this centennial year of the cathedral, explore some of the great stories of the past 100 years of Cathedral history and have a chance to swap your own Cathedral stories too.

For more information contact TerryAnn Bowen, 206.382.2018 or e-mail tbowen@stjames-cathedral.org. Saint James Cathedral is located at 804 Ninth Ave, Seattle 98104.

Revive the Sacred

Sister Mary Ann O'Mara, SNJM, and Sue Wildermuth are facilitating a 2-hour silent meditation on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, on the following dates: May 1, May 15, June 5, July 10 and July 24, 2007. The location is 903 22nd Ave E, Seattle 98112 (across the street from Holy Names Academy).

Sue Wildermuth will begin each session with a breathing exercise and silent meditation followed by a brief break for refreshments (no sugar, no caffeine, no alcohol) and return for contemplative prayer with Sr. Mary Ann. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring slippers. All are encouraged to experience these evenings in a relaxed manner. If you have questions, please call Sue Wildermuth at 206.632.0279 or email smwilder@earthlink.net.

Happy Feast Day St Joe

Today is the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker. Take a moment to remember the words of St. Catherine of Siena: "Be of service wherever you are."

If, however, you find yourself in a place where you can devote an extended period of time to volunteer service, check this out:

• Jesuit Volunteer Corps is looking for talented and dedicated people who have a desire to answer the call to apostolic service and community as Jesuit Volunteers. You can share your gifts and skills with the agencies who serve men, women and children in need as a Jesuit Volunteer.
• Dominican Volunteers USA is a full-time, faith-based volunteer program serving the poor and needy in the United States. Our volunteers serve in healthcare, education, social service agencies, community organizing, organic farming, peace and justice and church ministry.
• Be Bold: Create a Career with Impact lists both volunteer and career opportunities in civic engagement and public service.