Bulletin (March 2, 2008)

It is hard to believe that we have arrived at March of 2008. A little over three years ago, we formally launched our parish Capital Campaign with a Mass by Archbishop Brunett (January 16, 2005). Before that formal inauguration, we conducted a series of listening sessions and a feasibility study, asking parishioners about their degree of support for the repair and renovation of our parish facilities. Those listening sessions and the feasibility study helped us establish some realistic goals. In the fall of 2004, we conducted a “silent phase” of the Campaign, in which we appealed to those identified as major donors. That phase involved a number of dinners, for example in the homes of Nell Wheeler, Dominador & Marilou Fuentes, Ted & Sarah Naff, Lou & Diane Tice and at the Guadalajara Restaurant. The food at each place was delicious and those gathered responded wonderfully. During the months of January and February, 2005, we had parish events to present the Campaign to all Holy Family parishioners. By March of 2005, we had received pledges totally over a million dollars. Since then, almost seven hundred families have given donations to the Campaign – and we are now very close to the million dollar mark. In addition to individual donors, some groups in our Vietnamese, Filipino and Hispanic communities have worked together for the Campaign. Special recognition goes to the Hispanic Social Events Group, headed by Rogelio Rodriguez. By raffles and the sale of food, they have raised a total of $43,103, ranking them as the second among the 682 donors to the Campaign.

During this final month of the three-year Campaign, I am making a special appeal. I am asking those who have not yet given to consider a $100 donation. I would like to see every parishioner’s name on our memorial plaque, which we will finalize at the end of this month and subsequently place permanently in the Tice Hall. In this Sunday’s bulletin, you will find an insert that outlines what we have accomplished, thanks to the Capital Campaign – and what we have yet to complete. The support of every parishioner is vital to the future of Holy Family Parish.

In addition to the success of our Capital Campaign, I received some additional good news this week. The Archdiocese sent us our first rebate check for the Annual Catholic Appeal! This means that we have fulfilled our parish obligation to support important archdiocesan programs (such as the education of seminarians, care for retired and infirm priests, outreach to families in crisis, marriage tribunal, C.Y.O., catechetical certification, etc.) and that anything received above our parish goal will be returned to us. The Annual Catholic Appeal, as the name indicates, is an ongoing program by which all parishes support Archbishop Brunett and the work of the Archdiocese of Seattle.

Archbishop Brunett – like other Catholic bishops – is a successor of the Apostles. As such they have an important role in guiding and teaching the faithful. Unfortunately, in our culture of polarization and sound-bytes, the bishops’ teachings often come through in a distorted form. For example, man named Joe Feuerherd made a vicious attack in last week’s Washington Post. Catholic League president Bill Donohue gave this response:

“According to Feuerherd, his decision to vote for a pro-abortion candidate in the Maryland primary, namely Barack Obama, means that the bishops have consigned him to Hell. Indeed, his vote means that he has put his ‘soul at risk,’ all but assuring himself of a ‘ticket to Hell.” He concludes by charging, ‘the bishops be damned.’ In between, Feuerherd manages to impugn the motives of the bishops, offer snide remarks and misrepresent Church teachings.

“The bishops’ document that Feuerherd references, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, says at one point that ‘It is important to be clear that the political choices faced by citizens…may affect the individual’s salvation.’ Two paragraphs above that one it explicitly says that when all candidates ‘hold a position in favor of an intrinsic evil,’ the voter may decide not to vote or to ‘vote for the candidate deemed less likely to advance such a morally flawed position and more likely to pursue other authentic human goods.’ In the next paragraph it says, ‘In the end, this is a decision to be made by each Catholic guided by a conscience formed by Catholic moral teaching.’ Does this sound like the bishops have condemned Feuerherd to Hell?

“Feuerherd would have us believe that the document lists as ‘intrinsically evil’ such things as ‘abortion, stem cell research and same-sex marriage.’ He is twice wrong. The document does not call either stem cell research or same-sex marriage ‘intrinsically evil.’ There are eight acts which merit that label: abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, the destruction of embryos, genocide, torture, racism and targeting noncombatants in war.

“Feuerherd is angry because issues like ‘affordable housing’ are not given the same preeminent status as killing the innocent. He is entitled to his opinion, but he is not entitled to bash the bishops or distort their words, not even in his quest for martyrdom.”

Two weeks ago we heard a good homily explaining the bishops’ teachings on the issues of abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty. Fr. Peter West, from Priests for Life, spoke at our seven weekend Masses. When a priest mentions these topics, sometimes a person will object, “But, Father, there are other issues, what about the war in Iraq?” Well, Fr. West also quoted the bishops’ teaching on that subject. I have made copies of Fr. West’s homily available at the church entrances. I encourage you to pick up a copy, read it and pass it on to a friend or family member.

And a final invitation to participate in the annual Cathedral Walk: We will gather in Holy Family Church between 7 and 7:30 next Saturday morning. If you are under 18, you will need to be accompanied by a parent or have a note from your parent, entrusting you to a responsible adult. At the Masses this weekend, we will be taking a hand count so that we can plan for the lunch after the noon Mass. Some generous parishioners have donated ham and cheese so that everyone can have a sandwich in the Gallagher Center before returning home. Those who participate in this pilgrimage can obtain a Plenary Indulgence for themselves or for a deceased loved one.

Parece mentira, pero ya estamos en el ultimo mes de la Campaña Capital. En mi columna en inglés he dado una pequeña historia de la Campaña y un reconocimiento especial a la comunidad hispana por su participacion. Estoy ofreciendo a todos los feligreses una oportunidad final de participar. Me gustaria tener los nombres de todos en la placa memorail que vamos a finalizar el 31 de marzo. Sugiero una donacion de $100, pero cualquier contribucion esta bienvenida. Como se puede ver en la seccion de Mayordomia, hemos llegado a casi un millon de dolares con casi 700 donadores.

El Señor Glen Lutz, director de nuestra escuela parroquial, invita a todas personas mayores de 55 años de edad, a una comida especial para el Dia de San Patricio (17 de marzo). Su columna indica como inscribir para este evento. El almuerzo es gratis, pero habrá un jarro para donaciones para niños del Perú, por medio del Centro Mary Bloom.

Y una invitacion ultima para participar en la Peregrinacion a la Catedral. Nos reuiniremos entre 7 y 7:30 a.m. el proximo sabado en el templo de Holy Family. Despues de la misa (mediodia en la Capilla de Nuestra Senora de la Catedral) habrá un almuerzo, gracias a unas personas generosas que han donado jamon y queso para los sandwiches. Este domingo pediremos una indicacion de cuantos van a participar para que se pueda preparar sandwiches para todos.

School News
Church Bulletin
Sunday, March 2, 2008

Dear Parishioners,

Thank you to those who were able to contribute to the Randy Terlicker Endowment Fund this past Saturday at the reception in memory of Ray Terlicker. Thank you as well to all who were there to remember Ray and show loving support for Colleen and the family.

During March, we have the opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! On Monday, March 17, I would like to invite the Seniors (age 55 and over) to a luncheon in the Tice Hall, being hosted by the 8th Grade and Mr. Lutz. Seating for the lunch will begin @ 11:45 and lunch will be served at 12:00 noon. I am asking Father O’Ramon to be the MC. Please encourage him to do so!

Be sure to wear something green!

There is no charge for the lunch. {A donation jar will be available with the proceeds going to support the school’s Lenten project which is to reach out to the children in Peru with ‘gently used toys’ or new school supplies.} Your donation will go towards school supplies. We want to celebrate and honor our seniors, truly good examples of Age, Grace and Wisdom.

I do need you to please RSVP on or before March 11. I will be putting a RSVP form into the Church Bulletin on March 9. In the meantime, if you would like to RSVP, you can contact Maribel O’Laforga in the main office (767-6640) or email her @ Maribel@HFSeattle.org

Have a great week!

God Bless,
Glen t. O’Lutz
Principal :-)

“Beginning in conversion, change of mind and heart, this commitment [discipleship] is expressed not in a single action, nor even in a number of actions over a period of time, but in an entire way of life. It means committing one’s very self to the Lord. Stewardship is an expression of discipleship with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives. Disciples who practice stewardship recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all the have and are and will be. They know themselves to be recipients and caretakers of God’s many gifts. They are grateful for what they have received.”

~U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter, Stewardship: A Disciples Response


First Collection Stewardship for Wk. 35 of Fiscal Year
(July 1, 2007 – Feb. 24, 2008)

Amount Needed Each Sunday:		$  12,289.00
Feb. 24 Check/Cash Envelope:	$  14,308.01
Feb. 24 Ash Wed. Envelope:		$         10.00
Feb. 24 EFT (Automatic Deduction):	$       720.39
Feb. 24 Loose Cash:			$    2,782.17
Feb. 24 Total Offering:			$  17,820.57

Weekly Income Difference:		        +  $    5,531.57

Budgeted Year to Date:			$ 430,115.00
Collected Year to Date:			$ 419,551.84
Income Difference Year to Date:	       (-) $   10,563.16

Some of the Gifts from the Other Half of our Stewardship
2-bit Collection (SVDP):			$       679.99
2-bit Collection (Madre Teresa)		$       828.60

Capital Campaign
Total Households Pledging:			682
Total Pledged:					$1,194,030.24
Total Paid:					$   994,275.09
Balance:					$   119,755.15

Delinquency Amount to Date:		$   156,421.41