Local

Volunteers paint doors at St. Bernadette School during an October 6 renovation project blitz at the Burien school. An estimated $400,000 worth of donated renovations were completed through a project by NAIOP, a commercial real estate development association. Photo: Jeanne Flohr

Volunteers give St. Bernadette Parish School a $400,000 facelift

BURIEN – In just one day, 370 volunteers upgraded electrical systems, improved accessibility, built an outdoor teaching space and painted walls at St. Bernadette Parish School.

The Temple of Justice in Olympia. Photo: Cacophony/Wikimedia Commons

Washington bishops laud state Supreme Court’s death penalty ruling

SEATTLE – The Catholic bishops of Washington state applauded the October 11 decision by the state Supreme Court striking down the death penalty in Washington. The bishops have long been on record as opposing capital punishment.

FSSP Father Joseph Heffernan, pastor of North American Martyrs Parish, incenses the altar at the beginning of the parish’s 10th anniversary Mass at St. Alphonsus Church in Seattle September 30. To his right is FSSP Father Gerard Saguto; at far left is Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, who gave the homily for the Mass. NAM, as it is known, celebrates the traditional Latin forms of Mass and the sacraments. Photo: Michael Curtis Photography

North American Martyrs celebrates 10 years as a Latin Mass parish

SEATTLE – Incense wafted and babies cooed while the full-to-capacity congregation of North American Martyrs Parish celebrated its 10th anniversary September 30 with a solemn high Mass in Latin.

Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, center, with Auxiliary Bishops Daniel Mueggenborg and Eusebio Elizondo at the Prayer of Repentance and Healing service October 4 at St. James Cathedral. Photo: Stephen Brashear

Bishops lead Prayer of Repentance and Healing service

SEATTLE – Claudia Gonzalez and her family traveled from North Bend to join their bishops and fellow Catholics in the October 4 Prayer of Repentance and Healing at St. James Cathedral.

Washington bishops: ‘We are called to care for the environment’

Working to promote greater care for the environment, the Catholic bishops of Washington state have released a statement on “Catholic Principles and Environmental Policy.” Released on October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the environment, the statement draws upon teaching from Blessed Pope Paul…

Bishop Elizondo, archdiocesan delegates attend V National Encuentro

SEATTLE – Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo was among nearly 30 representatives of the Archdiocese of Seattle who gathered in Texas with thousands of others for the recent V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry.

Washington bishops release voter resources

The Washington State Catholic Conference, which represents the state’s bishops on matters of public policy, has produced voter resources, including a webpage and flyer, in advance of the October 8 deadline for online voter registration. The general election is November 6.

Lithuanian-Americans appreciate chance to attend Mass in their native tongue

SEATTLE – The week before Pope Francis’ September 22 visit to Lithuania, members of the local Lithuanian-American community gathered here for the rare occasion of attending Mass in their native language.

Backpack blessing begins school year for youngsters at Seattle parish

SEATTLE – For the sixth year, the younger members of St. John the Evangelist Parish kicked off the school year by bringing backpacks full of food donations to Sunday Mass.