Deck the CHURCH with boughs of holly... fa la la la la, la la la la!

Sunday Dec. 23 after 5:30 pm Mass we will be greening the church with our very best lights, greens and cheer!

PLENTY of spiced wine, egg nog, apple cider and hot chocolate... as well as pizza will be on hand to feed the hungry hard-workers helping to decorate. Plus, don't forget the Christmas carols we all love to sing...

Be sure to come for the festive fun!

Questions? Email Maria at mochoa@stjosephparish.org or stjoesyoungadultsgroup@hotmail.com.

A little bit of Lightworks in your life!

Are you ready for a new perspective?

Does Lent seem like a time for reflection... but you don't quite know how to get started?

Well, then join Lightworks -- a 12-week version of the grounding, inspiring and transforming jewel known as the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius! All the rewards and benefits of a relationship with God and you don't even have to be a silent hermit for 30 days to get it!

Led by our favorite 'freakin deacon' Steve Wodzanowski, fantastic Holy Names sister Sr. Cathy Beckley and delightful Al Roehl, Lightworks will take you through a Lenten journey of insightful presentations, individual reflection, small group conversations, and closing prayer & ritual.

All you have to commit to is coming each week and a little 20 minutes of prayer a day... why don't you come and join?

Starts Thursday, January 24 - April 24, 2008 -- 7:00-8:30 pm at St. Joe's Parish Center.

For more info, email Maria at:
mochoa@stjosephparish.org or stjoesyoungadultsgroup@hotmail.com.

Seasonal Songs from Around the World

Spirituality on Tap and St. Louise Parish present Seasonal Songs from Around the World this Thursday, Dec. 6, 7-9 pm, at the St. Louise Parish Center in Bellevue. The address is 141 156th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98007.

Come join your friends at St. Louise on the Eastside and enjoy carols and traditional dishes from Brazil, India, Burma, France, Mexico and more!

Prayerfully sing along and take in reflections on how holidays are celebrated around the world with the oh so cosmopolitan Young Adults of St. Louise Parish. Feel free to bring along your own favorite story, dish or song which inspires you as we weave together an evening to remember, wrapped in the spirit of the season.

Spirituality on Tap rotates monthly to different parishes in King and Pierce counties presenting events for ages 19-39. For more information, check out the website IgnatianCenter.org.

Handy-dandy map to St. Louise here:


View Larger Map

What does 'mission' mean? Come and find out my friend!

If you're curious as to what 'Jesuit Mission' means or is all about, come Monday Dec. 3, Tuesday Dec. 4 and Wednesday Dec. 5 to 'Preparing our Hearts for Mission: In the Vision and Mission of St. Ignatius'. Three dynamic speakers will be presenting on what mission is all about and how we can partner with one another in living out a faith that does justice.

Come to any or all three nights! It's taking place at Seattle U at the Chapel of St. Ignatius, off of 12th ave. and Marion. Invite friends too! Starts at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm.

Sponsored by St. Joe's, Ignatian Spirituality Center, Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center, Magis: Alumni Committed for Mission and the Society of Jesus Oregon Province.

Calling all 'saints'! Must-see SOT

Hey all you from St. Joe's, St. James, St. Therese and St. Mary, come out and represent at the next not-to-be-missed Spirituality On Tap!

All are invited to explore -- How do you live your spirituality in a secular society? -- on Thursday, Nov 15, 7 pm, at St. Joseph parish center, 732 18th Ave E, Seattle 98112.

How do we live out our Gospel values in a materialistic, hurry-up, no-patience, and ‘it’s all relative’ society? How do we continue the hands-on ministry of Jesus in our ‘no-contact’ electronic world of IM’s, online dating, blogs and MySpace?

How do we live our faith in a place where no one is religious but only spiritual? Come on down, listen to and engage in a discussion with a panel of four dynamic Young Adults from the aforementioned parishes who don’t have it figured out, but are trying to figure it out right ... just like you!

Spirituality on Tap is monthly program sponsored the Ignatian Spirituality Center. To learn more about SOT and other programs, check out the ISC events website.

Give Me The Words! this Saturday

St Joe's is the scene this Saturday for the Give Me The Words! benefit concert at 8 p.m. in the church. Suggested donation: $15.

Our extraordinarily talented friends in the music ministry at the UW Newman Center will light up the night with a concert of contemporary praise and pop music to benefit the Safe Passage English Program which teaches English to the poorest at-risk children who live in the garbage dump of Guatemala City so that they can have a better future.

The funds raised through the concert will provide, for the first time, new English textbooks and workbooks to these wonderful children. The funds will also provide opportunities for educational excursions, salaries for teachers and staff, as well as program supplies and other teaching materials. For more information, check out the Give Me The Words! website

Meet & Greet starts new season of YA events!

Hey there, I know... I know, we haven't posted anything in sooo long.

But, like all your tv favorites coming back this week -- the cheerleader and the world are saved, now what? -- what will Meredith Grey do now? -- we're back too!

Come out to St Joseph Parish Center this Thursday, Sep 27, at 6 pm for to meeet & greet other young adults at St. Joe and stay for the faith sharing to follow at 7 pm. You're the reason why St. Joe's is the must-see young adult ministry!

Praise and Worship Music and Mass

The first Wednesday of the month at Newman Center features some very spirited and very talented music ministry in an outpouring of praise and worship followed by a celebration of Mass.

The next concert is set for Wednesday, Sep 5, 8:15 pm, at the Newman Center, 4502 20th Avenue NE Seattle 98105. Mass is celebrated every Wednesday at 9 pm.

Postponing SOT Advisory Meeting Until Sept 20

Hi Friends of Spirituality on Tap,

We've decided to postpone our advisory group gathering until Sept. 20th, when we will meet at Piecora's Pizza. This meeting is important for directing the path of our Spirituality on Tap gatherings for the next year, so we wanted to ensure that we would involve AS MANY OF YOU as possible.

We will be sending out an evite for the September gathering. Please be sure to RSVP and gather some of your friends to come, pray, and envision with us. Thank you to those who set this evening aside.

Looking forward to seeing you September 20th,
Your friends at ISC

Ignatian Spirituality Center needs YOU!

Join the Ignatian Spirituality Center for a Spirituality on Tap brain-storming session! Pizza and snacks will be available and all ISC desires is your enthusiasm to see a great, new year of SOT programming come alive with your ideas and feedback.

'When?' and 'where?' you ask .... well, here you go!:

Thursday, Aug. 23 -- 6:30 pm

St. Joe's Parish Center (532 18th Ave. E., Capitol Hill)

Any questions? Email Tim Malone at tim@ignatiancenter.org

Worship & Praise Night at Newman Center

Members of the Newman Center music ministry perform an informal monthly concert of worship and praise music. The next event is set for Wednesday, Aug 1, 8:15 pm at the Newman Center.

It's a great experience of uplifting music followed by the weekly Wednesday evening mass at 9 pm. This month our own Maria and Andre join in the celebration.

The Catholic Newman Center at the University of Washington is located at 4502 20th Avenue NE Seattle 98105.

Celebrate Feast of St Ignatius!

A Celebration for the Feast of St. Ignatius
Bringing together “Friends in the Lord”


Sunday, July 29th
St. Joseph Church, 732 18th Ave E, Seattle 98112

4:30 pm Re-enactment of the Life of St. Ignatius
with Fr. Patrick O’Leary, SJ

5:30 pm Evening Mass
Fr. Peter Ely, SJ, preaching

Followed by
An Evening of Festivity, Music, and Refreshments

Please bring a Potluck Dish to Share

Tickets for Oct. 19th St. Louis Jesuits Concert on sale

For more information,
call the Ignatian Spirituality Center, 206.329.4824.

Photo: Panel from The Spiritual Journey of St. Ignatius Loyola, by Dora Nikolova Bittau, in the Chapel of St. Ignatius, Seattle University

Outdoor Summer Mass Next Week Friday

All are welcome to an outdoor summer mass hosted by the Graduate/Young Adult Group of the UW Newman Center at Jamie's place, 8262 4th Ave NE, Seattle 98115, in the Maple Leaf district on Friday, July 27 at 7 pm.

Come join in the fun and fellowship with the inimtable Fr. Tom Kraft, O.P., celebrating the mass!

Benefit Concert Friday Features Pat Wright

The VOICE, a Catholic High School Community, presents Pat Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir live in concert on Friday, July 20th at 7:30pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

This special concert event is a fundraiser for families impacted by the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast Region. For more info and to purchase tickets go to the Pat Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir page on St. Joe's parish website.

ABC News World News Tonight named Pat Wright “Person of the Week” for her efforts to take families out of their 400 sq. ft. FEMA Trailers into permanent housing. Proceeds will go directly to Pat for the organizations she has been working with over the last two years in the Gulf Region.

Potluck Beach BBQ to Welcome Novices

Every summer the novices of the Western Dominican Province visit the province's parishes and campus ministries, including our neighbors at Blessed Sacrament and the Newman Center. The Blessed Sacrament Young Adult Group is hosting a potluck bbq for the traveling novices and all are welcome. The event is set Friday, July 20, 6 pm, at Madrona Beach, 853 Lake Washington Blvd. The BSYA will supply the hamburgers and hot dogs, you bring your favorite side dish or desert to share.

'Everyone has their own way to serve'

When you get a chance, read the article in the 7/13 P-I: He gave up six-figure income to follow a richer calling.

It's a piece about a young adult Catholic in Seattle who has answered the call to priesthood. Every once in a while the local mass media actually have a "good news" story about the Catholic church in Seattle. The subject of the article, Chris Canlas, is quoted here:

The sex abuse scandal has "scarred the face of priesthood," Canlas said, and he hopes to show that there are good men in the church. "Most of us are good men who just want to help others," he said.

He is quick to point out, though, that his way of serving is not better than anyone else's. It's just different. "Everyone has their own way to serve."

Praise and Worship Nite at Newman Center

Members of the Newman Center music ministry perform an informal monthly concert of worship and praise music. The next event is set for Wednesday, July 11, 8:15 pm at the Newman Center.

It's a great experience of uplifting music followed by the weekly Wednesday evening mass at 9 pm. This month our own Maria and Andre join in the celebration.

The Catholic Newman Center at the University of Washington is located at 4502 20th Avenue NE Seattle 98105.

Welcome Back Fr. Jack, Summer Celebration

St. Joe's welcomes back Fr. Jack Morris, S.J., who will be presiding and preaching this weekend, July 7 & 8, at all masses.

After the 5:30pm Sunday Mass, ejnoy the “SUMMER ON THE GREEN BARBECUE” with live music, food and drink! St. Joe’s and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest Office will provide items to barbecue and beverages. Everyone is invited to bring an appetizer, side dish, salad or dessert to share.

This is an opportunity to gather for fellowship, so spread the word! All are welcome. Steve W. needs help with the barbecue set-up, cooking, serving, and clean-up, so contact him at 329-5981x106 or stevew@stjosephparish.org.

As many of us know, Fr. Jack is famous for his pilgrimages. In keeping with this tradition, all are invited to gather at 4:00 pm, Sunday, July 8, at Immaculate Conception Church (820 18th Ave) for a brief program and then walk back to St. Joe’s for the 5:30pm Mass. Immaculate was the first Jesuit Parish in Seattle! Park at St. Joe’s and catch the shuttle to Immaculate starting at 3:45pm.

Mercy Night at Blessed Sacrament

The Young Adult Community in conjunction with the Office of Liturgy and Music at Blessed Sacrament Parish in the University District is presenting Mercy Night on Friday, July 6, 8:00 pm-11:00 pm. All are welcome to drop in at anytime during the evening. Blessed Sacrament Church is located 5041 9th Ave NE, Seattle 98105

The event invites everyone to "Come and Pray with us" and features an evening of prayer and meditative music. Confessions will be available, as well as prayer teams.

This photo shows the West Window of Blessed Sacrament Church.

Evangelizing in a Post-Modern Age

What is post-modern culture? How can the Gospel speak to post-modernity? How are contemporary Catholics called to respond to the effects technology, secularization and individualism have on our lives? These and other exciting questions will be answered by the amazing Bryan Dolejsi! Don't miss this talk set for Wednesday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament parish hall. Blessed Sacrament is located at 5050 8th Avenue NE Seattle 98105.

Editorial note: We should properly say Fr. Bryan, since he was ordained a year ago. We know this because we attended his ordination at St. Ben's in Wallingford. Anyway, Fr. Bryan is a dynamic personality and charismatic preacher. And, he's a great hiker too. Except for the time he got lost while on a mountain trek with Fr. Steve Maekawa. But, that's another topic for another talk, if he hasn't used it already in one of his homilies. Who loves ya, Fr. Bryan!