No On I-2124

Initiative 2124 would allow individuals to opt out of current pay deductions for WACares, which provides a long-term care benefit for Washingtonians who do not qualify for Medicaid but make too little to afford long-term care insurance. Starting in 2026, those who qualify can access the long-term care benefit, up to a lifetime maximum of $36,500. The money can be used for care-taking equipment, medication, meals and other expenses for individuals who are older, injured, or disabled. 

I-2124 is a life issue. Lower-income individuals who are unable to afford private long-term care insurance are more likely to feel pressure to engage in the cheaper option of assisted suicide rather than leave their families with bills for care. Helping our fellow residents weather the challenges of serious illness or aging is something we do as members of a community who recognize that those with more resources have a responsibility to help ensure those with less are not left to suffer needlessly. 

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, a person “should regard the external things that he legitimately possesses not only as his own but also as common in the sense that they should be able to benefit not only him but also others.” (CCC 2404). We also acknowledge that government should not perform all functions in a society, but it should step in where it is best positioned to protect the dignity and sanctity of life. In the case of long-term care insurance, the market does not provide an option for those with lower incomes, so government involvement is needed.  

WA Cares may need revising to ensure its sustainability, but elimination of the program in its entirety by gutting its funding is a poor substitute for meaningful policy discussions about the care needs of people with limited means.    

You can find a brief explanation of the issue and talking points here.  

 Spotlight: Solidarity

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) publishes Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, which speaks to our political responsibilities as Catholics. We are spotlighting various principles of this teaching document. This month’s topic is solidarity. Learn more from this USCCB handout, and watch this brief video on the topic: Catholic Social Teaching 101: Solidarity.

Year-Round Advocacy

Each year, the state legislative session begins in January and concludes in March or April. It is important to be a Catholic voice both during and outside of the legislative session. We invite you to engage in year-round advocacy and to meet with your legislators outside of the legislative session. The months between sessions provide opportunities to engage with the representatives in your district without the session's time pressures. Click here to read more about how to engage in year-round advocacy. 

Guidelines for Parishes and Agencies on Political Activity 

Parishes are encouraged to discuss public policy issues. However, the Church does not endorse candidates nor political parties. The WSCC highly encourages advocacy, but some nuances may be confusing. As we are called to faithful citizenship, please consult the WSCC’s “Guidelines for Parishes and Agencies on Political Activity” to determine what activities may occur at your parish. The WSCC can be reached at wscc@wacatholics.org to provide further guidance.   

Good News from Around the State:

Eucharistic Revival in Washington 

Left: Dominican Friars preach at St. Patrick Church in Pasco in the Diocese of Spokane, 2nd from Left: Eucharistic Procession at St. Charles Borromeo in Tacoma in the Archdiocese of Seattle, 2nd from Right: Archdiocesan delegation to the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Right: Eucharistic Procession in Ephrata in the Diocese of Yakima.

Representatives from our three Washington dioceses attended the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis at the end of July. Parishes also held Eucharistic Revival events throughout the summer and will continue to do so into the next few months. The Congress and local events serve to evangelize Catholics regarding the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and renew our faith through the Sacrament's constant reminder of God's love for us.

Diocese of Spokane: Catholic faithful from around the Tri-Cities and beyond gathered at St. Patrick Church in Pasco on June 7-8 for the second installment of the Diocese Eucharistic Revival: Treasures of the Faith. Dominican Friars joined local priests from the Western Dominican Province for two days of prayer, talks, and Eucharistic Adoration. The Dominicans brought a relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who will be canonized a saint in a few weeks. The next Treasures of the Faith will be hosted at Immaculate Conception Church in Colville on the weekend of September 6, 2024. Source: Inland Catholic

Diocese of Yakima: Fr. César Izquierdo, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Ephrata, presided over a Eucharistic Procession from the parish school to the church about a mile away on Corpus Christi Sunday. In this photo, Deacon Juan Reyes is carrying the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament. It was one of many processions throughout the Yakima Diocese as part of the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. Fr. Izquierdo is a board member of the WSCC. Source: Diocese of Yakima

Archdiocese of Seattle: Bishop Schuster and a wide representation of Catholics in the Archdiocese, including seminarians and young adults, attended the Indianapolis event, re-energizing the faithful of Western Washington. Back home, St. Charles Borromeo in Tacoma held the first Eucharistic Procession in the Archdiocese. Source: Archdiocese of Seattle, St. Charles Borromeo

Upcoming Events

Mass for Peace

Aug. 9, 2024 12:00-1:00

On the anniversary of the atomic bombing in Nagasaki, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, in partnership with the bishops of Japan and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, invites all Catholics to pause and pray for peace. Reflecting on this day in history, reminds us to continue peace efforts today so that the pain and atrocities inflicted on God’s creation may end.  

In person or livestream on Vimeo or Facebook @ArchdioceseofSeattle 

For more information: https://archseattle.org/events/mass-for-peace/

Image from Pixabay

Oct. 10, 2024 6:30-8:00 PM

Catholic social doctrine's "aim is simply to help purify reason and to contribute, here and now, to the acknowledgment and attainment of what is just...The Church's social teaching argues on the basis of reason and natural law, namely, on the basis of what is in accord with the nature of every human being....It recognizes that it is not the Church's responsibility to make this teaching prevail in political life. Rather, the Church wishes to help form consciences in political life.“ Pope Benedict

Join the WSCC via Zoom in a discussion of Catholic social teaching and conscience formation to prepare us to make voting decisions consistent with our faith this coming election season. Please look for the Zoom link in the September and October bulletins. Interpretation into Spanish will be provided.

Diocese of Yakima

The Diocese of Yakima is extending invitations to all interested in attending the Church Mission Congress which is open to the public. The invitation is for youth, catechists, lectors, ministers of Holy Communion, and youth ministers. The 2024 Mission Congress is on Saturday, October 12, at La Salle High School in Union Gap. The Church Mission Congress provides vision and leadership to those involved in the many aspects of evangelization and faith formation. The theme for this year will be vocations.

To register online, click here or fill out the registration form available here, and mail or hand deliver with payment. The pre-registration deadline is Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Cost information is available here.

Image from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

August 15th is the feast of the Assumption of Mary

O Mary, Mother of Love,
We stand before you with our joys,
our desire to love and to be loved.
Here we are with the weight of our days,
with our miseries, our violence and our wars.
But love is stronger than all:
we believe that it still exists,
for love comes from God.

We pray to you: may our homes be filled
with simple gestures of brotherhood and kindness,
of trust, goodwill and generosity!
May families and nations be open to sharing,
forgiveness and reconciliation!

Mother of love, intercede for the human family,
support the efforts of those who work
for justice and peace.
Grant us the grace to be faithful to the Gospel
and to bear fruit that endures.
Amen!

Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.

Source: Diocese of Nancy

WSCC staff

We invite you to contact us at any time.

Jean Welch Hill, Executive Director

jean.hill@wacatholics.org                               

Tracey Wilson Yackley, Operations Manager 

tracey.yackley@wacatholics.org

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