Welcome to our Catholic Church, East of Seattle, in the Snoqualmie Valley!

Sept.  23, 2022

Dear friends in Christ,

St. Vincent De Paul

Next week on September 27 is the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul.    Born into a peasant family in 1580 or 81, Vincent sought to become a priest for the wrong reasons. He was seeking an office in the church for the financial security of himself and his family.  Initially, he was driven by ambition but along the way, he came under the influence of two wise and holy spiritual directors.   Their influence changed him and he became known for his love of the poor and his charity.   He founded a missionary order of priests, and an order of religious women devoted to the care of the poor and sick, and founded a lay organizations to help those in need.   With God’s grace, St. Vincent became an ‘apostle’ of charity.

His outlook on the world and his wisdom can help us today.  Here are a few short excerpts of his writings:

“We must love our neighbor as being made in the image of God and as an object of His love.”

 “Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.”

“Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light at all times and under all circumstances.”’

“We must love our neighbor as being made in the image of God and as an object of His love.”

 “We should take as a maxim never to be surprised at current difficulties, no more than at a passing breeze, because with a little patience we shall see them disappear. Time changes everything.”

“do not be surprised by your trials, since the Son of God has chosen them for our salvation.”

“Charity is the cement which binds Communities to God and persons to one another . . .”

I think much of this wisdom can be of help to us today.  We need more charity and love, toward each other, those in need, but especially to those who differ with us.  Truly, “Charity is the cement which binds Communities to God and persons to one another.”  Let us all seek to be instruments of God’s mercy and love as was St. Vincent de Paul.

Please support the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in our parishes.

We are very blessed with our own St. Vincent de Paul Society.  They use the funds we donate to provide direct, concrete assistance to families in our parish and local community. They depend on our generosity and on volunteer members to meet with families in need.  Please be generous in supporting their good work financially.  Your contributions make a tremendous impact on those in need and bring the compassion of Christ to those who are hurting. 

I would also invite you to consider becoming a Vincentian, a member of the Society.  There are many things you can help with. You will be doing the Lord’s work, really helping people and I have no doubt you will be transformed by the experience.

Blessings on your week!

Fr. Johnson