Save The Dates!

Just wanted to give y'all a heads up to a busy April for St. Joe's Young Adults. More details and events to follow. Stay tuned.

April 1: Movie Matinee - Into Great Silence - must-see Catholicity!
April 14: St Joe's Young Adult Catholic Speed Dating!
April 28: St. Joe's Centennial Gala - Celebrate St. Joe's hundreth in grand style!

How do you know it's Catholic speed dating? When you ask your date, "What's your sign?" She (he) makes the sign of the cross. (insert rimshot here)

Day of Reconciliation this Saturday

As part of the celebration of the St. James Cathedral centennial celebration, a Day of Reconciliation will be offered on Saturday, March 24, 10:00am to 5:00pm in the Cathedral. Saint James Cathedral is located at 804 Ninth Ave, Seattle 98104.

Archbishop Brunett, auxiliary bishops Elizondo and Tyson, as well as many priests from across the archdiocese, will be available throughout the day to hear confessions. Music and scripture at the top of each hour invite everyone in a short call to prayer. Drop in at any point during the day.

The celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation is an important of Lenten observance. To learn more about the sacrament, download Come Back to the Lord.

Fishsticks Fridays travels to Blessed Sacrament

Fishstick Fridays is a series of Lent events sponsored by the Young Adult Group that invites everyone to share a variety of prayer experiences followed by a simple supper and fellowship.

This week Fishstick Fridays travels to Blessed Sacrament Church for soup supper at 6 p.m. in the parish hall and Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. in the church on Friday, March 23. We'll meet up with some of our friends at Blessed Sacrament there.

Blessed Sacrament Church is located at 5041 Ninth Avenue NE, Seattle 98105.

Walk for Water Saturday, March 24

On March 22 and 24, cities around the country will observe World Water Day to draw attention to the plight of the more than 1 billion people world wide that lack access to clean, safe drinking water.

The Seattle Walk for Water takes place Saturday, March 24, 11 a.m., at Alki Beach (Statue of Liberty Plaza across from the Alki Starbucks). Distance is 3 miles.

The Walk For Water is inspired by the three to six-mile journey women and children make every day in water stressed countries. The time spent fetching water for their families prevents them from pursuing an education, maintaining their households or earning additional income.

The world water crisis is one of the largest public health issues of our time. Nearly 1.1 billion people (roughly 20% of the world’s population) lack access to safe drinking water. The lack of clean, safe drinking water is estimated to kill almost 4,500 children per day. In fact, out of the 2.2 million unsafe drinking water deaths in 2004, 90% were children under the age of five. Water is essential to the treatment of diseases, something especially critical for children. (from the World Water Day website)

IPJC features Great Turning author

The Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center (IPJC) hosts author David Korten on Tuesday, March 13, 7-9pm, at Pigott Auditorium, Seattle University. Korten will discuss his new book The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community. Free will offering. Open to the public.

The Great Turning reveals how Empire, which has always resulted in misery for the many and fortune for the few, now threatens the future of humanity and the planet. Advocating for "Earth Community," Korten will show that we humans can choose to turn this moment of planetary crisis into a new era, grounded in the life-affirming values of community, caring and cooperation.

Sponsored by the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center and Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry. Seattle University is located at 901 12th Ave, Seattle 98122.

“We are Catholic, after all.”

Recently read a great feature piece in the NY Times Magazine, Directors Without Borders, on the caliente trio of Mexican directors, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Guillermo del Toro, and Alfonso Cuarón. Interesting that they all have different cinematic styles yet one thing they do hold in common is their Catholic faith. The quote in the headline is from the article.

Currently showing are Babel by Iñárritu, Pan’s Labyrinth by del Toro, and Children of Men by Cuarón. Pan's Labyrinth and Children of Men both bring forward elements of sacrifice and redemption while Babel speaks to the universal bonds of the human experience.

Speaking of his movie, Babel, Iñárritu said:
“There’s no question that this movie was my reaction to the war in Iraq,” Iñárritu explained. “This war cannot help but impregnate you with strong feelings. There was so much fear after 9/11, and that fear caused people to make the wrong decisions. People are dying by the thousands, and the American TV does not want to show the photographs, so I have to show it in my own way. Americans easily forget that the air they breathe is the same as those in Europe or Africa or Asia; it’s the same air as Jesus breathed. I would like them to remember that connection.” (NY Times, 3/11/2007)

So what do you think? Seen any good Catholic movies lately?

Fishstick Fridays: Adoration and Benediction

Fishstick Fridays is a series of Lent events sponsored by the Young Adult Group that invites everyone to share a variety of prayer experiences followed by a simple supper and fellowship.

This week our Fishstick Fridays event is benediction and adoration on Friday, March 16, 7 pm, at St. Joseph Church. Our own pastor, Fr. Chris Weekly, S.J., will lead us in prayer. St. Joseph Parish is located at 732 18th Ave East, Seattle, 98112.

Thanks Catholic Underground!

Big ups and snaps to one of our faves, The Catholic Underground: Faith Gone Digital podcast. They gave us a shout out on their latest show (Episode 30). In their show intro they raved about how our Fishstick Fridays are great events that provide young adult Catholics a variety of prayer experiences followed by a simple supper.

The crew at Catholic Underground includes Deacon Chris Decker, a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is also a seminarian studying at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. Fr. Ryan Humphries is a priest for the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana. Daniel Kedinger is a graphic designer with crucé design. Joshua LeBlanc is the co-founder and president of cyberCatholics.com, a 100% Catholic webhosting service. In addition to their website, you can also find them on iTunes.

Wow, ours truly is a faith gone digital when we can share our faith with fellow Catholics way down south in Louisiana!

SOT: Celtic Spirituality and Prayer

If you're after my lucky charms, look no further than the Spirituality on Tap happenin' at St. Ben's in Wallingford this Thursday, March 15. You're sure to have some good craic (or good fun, in Gaelic)

Ignatian Spirituality Center presents Dr. Sharon Callahan on Celtic Spirituality and Prayer

Where: St. Benedict's Parish Center, 1805 N 49th St, Seattle, 98103
When:
6:45pm: Gathering
7:00pm: Presentation, Prayer Experience, Small Groups and Q & A
8:45pm: Walk on down to Murphy's Pub to celebrate St. Patty's Day

Dr. Sharon Callahan Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Life; School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University

DIRECTIONS: Parish Center is on the southeast corner of the intersection of 49th and Wallingford Ave North. Go up the steps and through the door on the second floor. Go left down the hall and left again to the Parish Center Living Room. Murphy's Pub is located on the corner of North 45th St. and Meridian Ave North.

Prayer Power for Lent

Br Christopher Explains It All for You:

Dominican Br. Christopher Fadok, OP, will present a talk on the Divine Office tonight, March 12, at 7:30 pm, in Blessed Sacrament Church, 5050 8th Ave NE, Seattle, 98105. After the talk, please join Br. Christopher in evening prayers. (This YAG blogger has experienced the power of this prayer and it rocks!)

Novena of Grace concludes Tuesday:

The Novena of Grace at St. Joseph Church, lead by Jerry Graham, SJ, and Cathy Beckley, SNJM, comes to completion this week. Courage is the theme of tonight's Mass at 6 pm in St. Joseph Church, 732 18th Ave East, Seattle, Washington 98112. Tomorrow, March 13, the ninth and final day's theme is Transformation at 6 pm in St. Joseph Church. (Yeah, this totally rocks!)

Pray the Rosary at Blessed Sacrament:

Our friends over at Blessed Sacrament parish in the U-District invite everyone to pray the Rosary on Tuesdays evenings at 7 p.m. in the church. Rosaries and prayer guides will be available. (The Rosary rocks!)

Taize Tuesdays in Lent at Ignatius Chapel:
Tuesdays in Lent, Seattle U campus ministry is hosting Taize prayer services at St. Ignatius Chapel, Seattle University, 901 12th Ave, Seattle, 98122. The services will start at 7:00 pm on March 13, 27 and April 3.

Taize Every Friday at St James Cathedral:
St James Cathedral regularly presents a Taize service every Friday at 6:30 pm in the cathedral.

(That's word, we pray!)

Who Do You Think You Are?

Hey there, Young Adult Catholics, who do you think you are? Fr. Tom Rausch, S.J., theologian from Loyola Marymount University, spoke at Seattle U. on Tuesday, March 6, on the topic of Pursuing Vatican II: Young Adult Catholics in a Culture of Choice.

He cited in large part a large study desgined by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University. This report was also cited in the Catholic News Service (Feb 7, 2007): "Young adult Catholics have a strong Catholic identity but do not feel much of a commitment to the institutional church or its moral teachings, two sociologists said Feb. 6 in Washington."

The actual book is titled American Catholics Today: New Realities of Their Faith and Their Church to be published in late March by Rowman & Littlefield. The authors are James A. Davidson, of Purdue University, Dean R. Hoge, of Catholic University of America, along with William V. D'Antonio of Catholic University and Mary L. Gautier of CARA. You can see for yourself in this link to a Special Report: Young Adult Catholics at the CARA website.

Is this you? What do you think?

1.4 Million Prayers Served and Counting

One of our fave podcasts here at St Joe's Young Adults blog is the world-renowned UK Jesuits' Pray As You Go. So we just had to share this news clip with you.

(LONDON - 20 February 2007) As the revolutionary daily prayer initiative from the British Jesuits ­ pray-as-you-go ­ nears its first anniversary tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, commuters are being urged to use the opportunity of Lent to refresh their prayer lives. Over the past year, 1.4 million prayer sessions have been downloaded from the pray-as-you-go web site, providing a chance for people all over the world to spend 10 minutes in quiet reflection on their way to or from work, or wherever they manage to withdraw briefly from the noise and pressure of their daily lives. Peter Scally SJ, the Director of Jesuit Media Initiatives and the Jesuit behind pray-as-you-go, says that if people want to do something special this Lent, pray-as-you-go might be just what they need.

"Traditionally, people used to give up something for Lent as a sign of penance, in preparation for Holy Week and Easter," he says. "But in recent years, doing something positive has been considered an alternative activity for Lent. We launched pray-as-you-go on Ash Wednesday last year ­ the first day of Lent ­ and it immediately attracted people from all over the world who started using it as a way to inject a few minutes' contemplation and prayer, with Bible readings and music, in a non-preachy format, into their busy lives. We very much hope that Lent will be an opportunity for many others to do the same this year." © Independent Catholic News 2007.

Pursuing Vatican II: Young Adult Catholics in a Culture of Choice

The Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry Great Theologians Lecture Series presents Rev. Thomas P. Rausch, S.J., on Pursuing Vatican II: Young Adult Catholics in a Culture of Choice. The talk is set for Tuesday, March 6, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Pigott Auditorium at Seattle University. Reception to follow. Admission is free and open to the public. Seattle University is located at 901 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122.

The School of Theology and Ministry has offered The Great Theologians Lecture Series for over a decade. This series brings renowned theologians to Seattle University to address the postmodern quest for renewed spirituality and the building of a responsible global community. The series offers a diversity of perspectives and provides a forum for discussion on matters of faith, social justice and the human experience.

Speakeasy Thursday follows Novena of Grace

Speakeasy is our weekly faith-sharing experience Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the St Joseph Parish Center (except for third Thursdays which feature the Ignatian Spirituality Center's Spirituality On Tap). Next Speakeasy is Thursday, March 8. The Novena of Grace Mass is at 6 p.m. in St. Joseph Church.

Take a break from your busy life and reflect on the following Sunday's scripture in a contemplative setting.

Save These Dates: Fishstick Fridays

Our Fishstick Friday this week is the Novena Mass on Friday, March 9, 6 p.m. at St. Joseph Church. The Novena of Grace begins March 5 and runs through March 13. For details, see the Novena of Grace posting. More prayer power to ya!

Prayer Power: Novena of Grace, March 5-13

The Novena of Grace runs March 5-13, 2007. Come and Lay Your Burdens Down is this year's novena theme presented by Jerry Graham, SJ & Cathy Beckley, SNJM.

In the Jesuit tradition of a nine day preached Lenten retreat, all are welcome to a focused way to pray Lent. Novena booklet available for praying Novena at home.

Novena Mass times are:
Monday-Friday: Noon at Seattle University Chapel of St. Ignatius and 6:00 pm at St. Joseph Church, 732 18th Ave East, on Capitol Hill, in Seattle. Saturday-Sunday: 12:45 PM at Seattle University Chapel of St. Ignatius. Saturday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 5:30 PM at St. Joseph Church.

No registration necessary. Goodwill offering. Sponsored by: Ignatian Spirituality Center, St. Joseph Parish, Seattle University, Seattle Preparatory School. For information call (206) 329-4824, ext 2.

Praying The Psalms

Seattle University Choirs present Praying the Psalms: A Sacrifice of Praise on Saturday, March 3, 8:00 pm, St. Ignatius Chapel, Seattle University.

This Lenten Prayer concert features inspiring and contemplative choral works from chant through the twentieth centuries. Powerful, prayerful pieces include selections from Mendelssohn's Elijah and portions of Missa Animae by Seattle composer Lee Peterson.

Doors open at 7:30 pm. The program, which runs slightly over an hour, begins promptly at 8:00 pm. Admission is free. Seattle University is located at 901 12th Ave, on First Hill, in Seattle.

Young Adults for Immigration Reform Group Forming

St. Mary's Parish is gathering young adults from various parishes to create a Young Adults for Immigration Reform Group. The group will learn about the US Catholic Bishops' Justice for Immigrants statements, explore ways real people are affected by the US immigration policies and take action as they see fit. Why Young Adults? Because you are very likely to be affected or know someone who is.

Come find out more and share what you know. The first meeting is Saturday evening, March 3, 6:30-8:00pm, St. Mary's Rectory, 611 20th Ave S., Seattle, 98144. More information? Call Yolanda Quiroga 324-7100, ext 29.

St. James Cathedral Hosts Artists' Panel

Four St. James Cathedral artists: Georgetta Gancarz, Mark Kuhar, Maria Laughlin, and Patrick White will share reflections on how their art is influenced by belief and spirituality. This event is free and all are welcome on Friday, March 2, 7:30-9:00 pm, Fireside Room in the Pastoral Outreach Center. St. James Cathedral is located at 804 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

Benefit This Saturday Celebrates Good Works

Here's how to party for a cause this Saturday. It's almsgiving and a lot of fun. Every month, KEXP supports a different non-profit org with a benefit concert on the first Saturday of the month. Here is the lineup for March 2007.

KEXP, Seattle Sound Magazine, and Three Imaginary Girls present the One Year Anniversary of the Audioasis Live Remote Broadcast and Benefit Show at High Dive on Saturday, March 3, 2007. All proceeds benefit the Fremont Abbey Arts Center.

Man Plus and Optimus Rhyme live on KEXP Audioasis 6:00 pm-9:00 pm. Shorthand for Epic, Smoosh, Tim Seely, and Damien Jurado Showcase 9:30pm-Close. Hosted by John Richards, Lisa Wood, Abe Beeson and Sean Nelson. Doors open 5:00 pm. Live Broadcast Show at 6:00 Age: 21+ $10 suggested donation at the door. The High Dive is located at 513 N 36th St Seattle WA 98103.