God walks with his people.

                    Sept. 4, 2024

    Image by Ronile from Pixabay
Migration Week
The Catholic Church has a long history of living the Gospel call to welcome the stranger, providing accompaniment and support to immigrants worldwide. 
From our nomadic patriarchs of the Church who migrated to Egypt, where they suffered oppression and were delivered by God's hand, to Jesus' reminder to welcome the stranger, Catholics have a deep appreciation for the migrant journey as highlighted in the words of Scripture: "You shall treat the stranger who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you, have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once strangers in the land of Egypt" (Leviticus 19:34). Throughout the years, the Church has remained faithful to this call to solidarity with immigrants of all kinds and has worked to respond accordingly.
We join the global church on The World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) in prayer, reflection, and action on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are forced to flee their homes. The theme for this year’s WDMR is God walks with his people. 
We walk with God's people as well during National Migration Week, a US-based celebration that builds on the ideas put forth in WDMR. This year National Migration Week is September 23-29 and culminates with WDMR on the 29th.
As rhetoric around immigration becomes increasingly dehumanizing, begin your journey of accompaniment by reading the Washington state Bishops' statements on immigration and the dignity of immigrants and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's pastoral letter Strangers No Longer or this overview as you discern whom to vote for this November.
Take your accompaniment a step further by volunteering with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington or Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington.

Spotlight: Subsidiarity
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 subsidiarity. Learn more from this USCCB handout.

    Picture by Roman Grac for Pixabay
End of Life Guides
We are called to be stewards of the gift of life. This attitude of stewardship defines the way Catholics approach medical decisions, especially at the end of life. Click here to read our Catholic guide for evaluating medical services offered to individuals facing terminal illnesses consistent with our teaching, moral and spiritual principles.
The WSCC has also updated our Guide for Making Good Decisions for End of Life and added online fill-in Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Living Will and Funeral Arrangement forms to help you prepare for the end of life and share your wishes with loved ones. Please view the instructions for filling in the forms for ease of use. 

    Register for the WSCC Oct. 10 Webinar 
Political engagement for Catholics can be complicated. Neither major party fully represents our position on issues of the day, so how do we make voting decisions or share our stances on political questions? Join us for a discussion of Catholic social doctrine, conscience formation and political participation in anticipation of the November elections and 2025 legislative session. Interpretation into Spanish will be provided.

    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 strongly 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:
Vocations!
Top: Seminarians in the Yakima Diocese (left to right) Nicholas Leon Felipe, Jose Diaz, Carlos Garcia, interviewer Gabrial Munoz, Levi Russell, Fernando Lemus. Bottom Left: Sr. Paschalina Marie, SMMC and Sr. Christiana Marie, SMMC make their perpetual vows in the Diocese of Spokane. Bottom Right: Archbishop Etienne with seminarians (left to right) Richard Ordos, Jonathan Cheever, Robert Currall, Maliko Madden, Archbishop Etienne, Aidan Aguero, Deacon Joseph Tapia-Beeman, Sylvester Rozario, Patrick Gitau Mbuiyu in the Archdiocese of Seattle
We thank God for calling men and women to serve as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. In gratitude to the Holy Spirit who helped these individuals respond generously and courageously to God's call, may our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.

    Upcoming Events

    September 1- October 4
The Season of Creation begins Sept. 1 and runs through the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4th. This is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
Join in the Season's many activities:  Read Pope Francis' message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Join in the September 21 day of action on the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT). FFNPT is an initiative to help catalyze the phase-out of fossil fuels while ensuring a just global transition for workers, communities, and countries. View the advocacy resources.
Plan a prayer service.
Learn more at laudatosimovement.org

    September 14

Join the Catholic Relief Services Western Washington Chapter Gathering Sept. 14, 2024 and learn more about how you can join the effort to build global solidarity to help lift people out of poverty worldwide.

    September 17
National Voter Registration Day is Sept. 17. Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. Voters need to register or update their registration for reasons such as moving to a new address, turning 18, becoming a citizen, or changing their names. 
Help your fellow Catholics exercise their right to vote before the Oct. 28, 2024 deadline. Voter registration materials are available in multiple languages. For information, materials and to register, visit the Washington Secretary of State website. With your pastor's consent, host a registration drive at your parish using the US Conference of Catholic Bishops Ten Easy Steps for Organizing a Nonpartisan Voter Registration Drive (scroll down for the steps).

    Let Us Pray

    Join in Prayer on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Sept. 29, 2024
God, Almighty Father,
we are your pilgrim Church
journeying towards the Kingdom of heaven.
We live in our homeland,
but as if we were foreigners.
Every foreign place is our home,
yet every native land is foreign to us.
Though we live on earth,
our true citizenship is in heaven.
Do not let us become possessive
of the portion of the world
you have given us as a temporary home.
Help us to keep walking,
together with our migrant brothers and sisters,
toward the eternal dwelling you have prepared for us.
Open our eyes and our hearts
so that every encounter with those in need
becomes an encounter with Jesus, your Son and our Lord.
Amen.
Pope Francis

    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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