Saint Brendan Catholic Church

Daily Confessions will Not be available January 11th through January 22nd.
The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Confirmation certificates for those who got confirmed on the 26^th of September are available for pick up at the parish office.
Attention all High School students and College students: The Knights are starting their annual $1000 Scholarship Application process. Two $1000 Scholarship, one to a High School Senior and another to a current College or Trade School student. To download the application, click on the link below.

A Message from our Pastor

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

I love this quote from St. Paul. I find it to be motivating, to make me want to stand up and live in the Lord, and allow Him to live in me, with a renewed zeal, every time I read it.

“What can separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 35, 37-39).

The only way we are going to be able to overcome the struggles of our world, to attain the peace we seek, the healing we desire, and receive the protection our frail humanity needs, is if we return to the Lord as a whole. That conversion starts with you and me turning our own hearts over to the Lord, not just receiving God’s love, but also loving God. It begins by allowing the Lord Jesus to be born again in us this Christmas!

Even with all the struggles which have happened in this year, I have also witnessed incredible growth in many people. It all comes down to choices in how we approach the situations in which we find ourselves. As a character in one of my favorite movies says, ”You either get busy living or you get busy dying”. As Christians we are destined for life through our baptism, but do we live into that life or have we begun to separate ourselves from God and therefore begun dying a spiritual death? As St. Paul said above, nothing can separate us from the love of God. We “conquer overwhelmingly through Him”. We cannot conquer if we don’t live through Him. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, except ourselves, our own choice not to love the God who loves us infinitely, but who doesn’t force us to remain in His love for all eternity if we choose not to live into it in this life.

I have witnessed a great number of people making decisions to grow in their faith and in life during these extremely trying times. I have heard heroic stories, heard of people taking up hobbies they never would have taken up before the lockdowns began. I have seen families walking together, taking pictures together. I have heard how people have re-centered their life on the Lord, allowing Him to be born again in them. I have also seen and heard of the struggles, but I have seen firm resolve to stand united together in faith, to help those who are most in need and to persevere in a life of faith.

As St. Paul says to us “if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). In all that has been going on over this past year, it is a great reminder of the imperfections of this life, of the frailty of this life, but also that we are made for something more. We are made for God, to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him, and ultimately to be in union with Him for all eternity.

As we enter into this Christmas Season (which begins December 25 and doesn’t end until the Baptism of the Lord on January 10) we are reminded of a daily decision that we make. We can live today in such a way as to allow God’s Divine life to be born in us and to grow within us, or not. That choice is ours. If we allow the Divine life of God to be born again in us, then we will conquer overwhelmingly over creatures, height and depth, powers, present and future things, over anguish, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, the sword, over fallen principalities and angels, the difficulties of life and even over death! All because God loved us enough to come among us at Christmas so many years ago!

In the peace of Christ,

Fr. Nick Wichert

Un Mensaje de nuestro Pastor

¡Feliz Navidad a todos!

Amo esta cita de San Pablo. Encuentro que es motivador, que me hace querer estar de pie y vivir en el Señor, y permitirle que viva en mí, con un celo renovado, cada vez que lo leo.

“¿Quién podrá entonces separarnos del amor de Cristo? ¿Las tribulaciones, las angustias, la persecución, el hambre, la desnudez, los peligros, la espada? Pero en todo esto obtenemos una amplia victoria, gracias a aquel que nos amó. Porque tengo la certeza de que ni la muerte ni la vida, ni los ángeles ni los principados, ni lo presente ni lo futuro, ni los poderes espirituales, ni lo alto ni lo profundo, ni ninguna otra criatura podrá separarnos jamás del amor de Dios, manifestado en Cristo Jesús, nuestro Señor.” (Romanos 8: 35, 37-39).

La única forma en que podremos superar las luchas de nuestro mundo, lograr la paz que buscamos, la sanación que deseamos y recibir la protección que nuestra frágil humanidad necesita, es si regresamos al Señor como un todo. Esa conversión comienza cuando tu y yo entregamos nuestro corazón al Señor, no solo recibiendo el amor de Dios, sino también amando a Dios. ¡Comienza permitiendo que el Señor Jesús nazca de nuevo en nosotros esta Navidad!

Incluso con todas las luchas que han sucedido en este año, también he sido testigo de un crecimiento increíble en muchas personas. Todo se reduce a opciones sobre cómo abordamos las situaciones en las que nos encontramos. Como dice un personaje de una de mis películas favoritas, “o estás ocupado viviendo o estás ocupado muriendo”. Como cristianos, estamos destinados a la vida a través de nuestro bautismo, pero ¿vivimos en esa vida o hemos comenzado a separarnos de Dios y, por lo tanto, hemos comenzado a sufrir una muerte espiritual? Como dijo San Pablo anteriormente, nada puede separarnos del amor de Dios. “Conquistamos abrumadoramente a través de Él”. No podemos vencer si no vivimos a través de Él. Nada puede separarnos del amor de Dios, excepto nosotros mismos, nuestra propia elección de no amar al Dios que nos ama infinitamente, pero que no nos obliga a permanecer en Su amor por toda la eternidad si elegimos no vivir en él en esta vida.

He sido testigo de un gran número de personas que toman decisiones para crecer en su fe y en su vida durante estos tiempos extremadamente difíciles. He escuchado historias heroicas, escuchado de personas que se dedican a pasatiempos que nunca habrían tenido antes de que comenzaran los cierres. He visto familias caminando juntas, tomando fotografías juntas. He escuchado cómo la gente ha vuelto a centrar su vida en el Señor, permitiéndole nacer de nuevo en ellos. También he visto y oído hablar de las luchas, pero he visto la firme resolución de permanecer unidos en la fe, ayudar a los más necesitados y perseverar en una vida de fe.

Como nos dice San Pablo, “Si ustedes viven según la carne, morirán. Al contrario, si hacen morir las obras de la carne por medio del Espíritu, entonces vivirán.” (Romanos 8, 13). En todo lo que ha estado sucediendo durante este último año, es un gran recordatorio de las imperfecciones de esta vida, de la fragilidad de esta vida, pero también de que estamos hechos para algo más. Estamos hechos para Dios, para conocerlo, amarlo y servirlo, y finalmente estar en unión con Él por toda la eternidad.

Al entrar en esta temporada navideña (que comienza el 25 de diciembre y no termina hasta el Bautismo del Señor el 10 de enero), recordamos una decisión diaria que tomamos. Podemos vivir hoy de tal manera que permita que la vida Divina de Dios nazca en nosotros y crezca dentro de nosotros, o no. Esa elección es nuestra. Si permitimos que la vida divina de Dios nazca de nuevo en nosotros, venceremos abrumadoramente sobre las criaturas, la altura y la profundidad, los poderes, las cosas presentes y futuras, sobre la angustia, la angustia, la persecución, el hambre, la desnudez, el peligro, la espada, sobre los principados caídos y los ángeles, las dificultades de la vida e incluso sobre la muerte. ¡Todo porque Dios nos amó lo suficiente como para venir entre nosotros en Navidad hace tantos años!

En la paz de Cristo,

Fr. Nick Wichert

Worship Aids

Ordinary Time II

Segunda Domingo Ordinario

ADORATION

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is Monday through Thursday from 1:00 pm—6:00 pm and Friday from 9:00 am—9:00 pm.

One more volunteer is needed during the following hours:

Monday: 3-4 pm, Wednesday: 1-2 pm, 4-5 pm

Please contact Christina Plantilla at 425-486-3376 if you’d like to sign up.

La Adoracion al Santisimo Sacramento es de lunes a jueves de 1:00 pm—6:00 pm y viernes de 9:00 am—9:00 pm.

Se necesita un voluntario mas para cubrir el Santisimo en los siguientes horarios:

Lunes: 3-4 pm, Miercoles: 1-2 pm, 4-5 pm

Para anotarse, favor de llamar a la oficina de la parroquia o a Christina Plantilla al 425-486-3376.

Click on the following links for St. Brendan’s posted videos:

Facebook Link to Live Masses

YouTube Weekend Masses

Confirmation Videos

Adult Education Classes

Baptism Instruction for Parents and Godparents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27ux72FHz_E&list=PLVg9Uk49u-TOZmnxjpFKeNE95KU2NCuEC

Preparacion Bautismal para Padres y Padrinos

PREPARES DIAPER DRIVE

The Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services theme for the 2020 Appeal for the Poor Campaign is Hope and Light. CCS/CHS are our local Catholic Charities at work serving over 105,000 Western Washingtonians across 170 programs in 2019. With over 3,700 staff and 8,500 volunteers, CCS/CHS continue to accompany and work alongside the men, women, and children who seek their essential services. Consummate professionals and tireless advocates, CCS/CHS continue to provide compassionate charity and advocate for justice throughout the rise and fall of COVID-19 cases.

With the goal of keeping everyone safe, CCS/CHS has created a video to share their message of Hope and Light. I encourage you to watch the video prayerfully consider how you might join the thousands of volunteers and staff this year. Is it through prayer, advocacy, volunteerism, or a generous donation?

For those who have never given, an anonymous donor has given $10,000 to incentivize new parish donors. The first 100 new households who give at least $100 will have $100 of their gift matched – doubling your impact of Hope and Light to our neighbors in need! Visit ccsww.org/donatenow

Our Annual Catholic Appeal goal: $146,774.00

# of households in parish: 1591

# of participating households 353

% participation 22

It is our hope this year that 100% of our parish families will participate by completing a pledge card or by donating online at www.seattlearch.org/donate!

Annual Catholic Appeal Matching Gifts

Thank you to those who have already fulfilled your Annual Catholic Appeal pledge!

Help maximize our Annual Catholic Appeal Rebate this year for our parish project of enhancements to our lighting in the church worship space! Please check if your employer has a Matching Gift program. Once payment has been received, or your gift has been paid in full, you can apply for the match per your employer’s instructions!

The Annual Catholic Appeal, Archdiocese of Seattle, is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax ID # 91-0778147.

Call 800-809-4921 if you have any questions.

Mailing address: Annual Catholic Appeal, PO Box 14964, Seattle 98114

WAYS TO GIVE TO THE ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL

Donate Online with credit/debit/direct bank withdrawal – www.seattlearchdiocese.org/donate
Pledge Only – submit your pledge (through the pledge card, envelope or online) and you will be sent monthly reminders.

Cash or Check – make checks payable to Annual Catholic Appeal

Donate Stock – call 800-422-5417 for broker instructions
Donate through your IRA – contact your IRA administrator and have your gift sent directly to the ACA Office, 710 9^th Ave, Seattle WA 98104 – include your name, ACA ID# and the parish you want the gift credit to go to.
Payroll Deduction – some employers offer this option – check with yours

Annual Catholic Appeal Year-End Payments and Donations:

Want to make your Annual Catholic Appeal payment or donation by year-end for tax purposes?

Any payments or new gifts you want credited to the 2020 calendar year for tax purposes need to be in the Annual Catholic Appeal office by December 31^st.(Please do not put ACA payments in the parish collection basket)

New donation – seattlearchdiocese.org/donate
Payment on existing pledge – seattlearchdiocese.org/pp for immediate processing
Set up a new gift or payment – call 800-809-4921
Send mail to – Annual Catholic Appeal, 710 9^thAve, Seattle 98104 (postmark must be stamped by Dec 31, 2020)
Donate stock – donating to a non-profit can save you from paying capital gains tax of the appreciated value if you’ve held the stock for at least year. Call 206-382-4845 for further instructions/details on donating stock.
IRA – If you are 70½ or older, there are potential tax benefits when you transfer funds from your IRA to the Annual Catholic Appeal – contact your IRA plan administrator.

Thank you!

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL REBATE–PROJECT COMPLETED!

Made possible by your support to the Annual Catholic Appeal we have completed yet another project “Brendan House Flooring.”

Program Coordinator for Infant Baptism & RCIC Ministry

St. Brendan Church in Bothell, WA seeks a faith-filled and creative self-starter with strong interpersonal and organizational skills and a love for working with families preparing for infant baptism and children to evangelize preschool and elementary aged students through our RCIC program, inviting them into a relationship with Christ and the Church. Includes sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Eucharist.

Excellent salary and benefits in accord with Archdiocesan guidelines. Starting salary depends on qualifications and experience. This is a part-time, year-round, non-exempt position. May include evenings and weekend work. E-mail or call Kerri Foust, kerrif@saintbrendan.org (425) 483-9400, for an application packet. Position open until filled.

January 9/10

This week on FORMED

There is a great video on learning how to pray:

https://watch.formed.org/pick-of-the-week/videos/formed-live-how-to-pray

It covers many different aspects of prayer for the novice to someone who has been doing it a long time. Check it out and see what changes you make.

As it is a new year many people make changes. One program several people have started is The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. It is with Ascension Press. Each Episode is about 20 minutes. They are Podcasts so you can list from practically anywhere!

Here is the link for the reading plan:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1125/2740/files/the-official-365-day-reading-plan-for-the-bible-in-a-year.pdf?v=1605125033&utm_source=Bible+In+A+Year+Podcast&utm_campaign=a38884d02f-MailChimp_AUTOMATION__1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5c1d692955-a38884d02f-354961102&mc_cid=a38884d02f&mc_eid=5150a8af71

Many of us in the parish have done The Bible Timeline Study with Ascension Press and this follows that same format. It is a great way to learn more about the bible.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

Saint Brendan Catholic Church

Welcome to St. Brendan

Masses: Saturday: 5PM Sunday: 8AM, 10AM, Noon (Spanish)

Reconciliation

Individual confession is available daily (except Tuesdays and Sundays) at 7:45 am – 8:15 am, and Saturdays 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm.

Baptism, First Communion…

Visit our Sacraments section