Today I’m Just Here to Pray with You
I was out of town this weekend, so of course I missed Archbishop Etienne’s first Sunday Mass as Archbishop of Seattle. It was celebrated, rather improbably and unexpectedly, at our parish of Holy Rosary.
He reportedly began by saying, “today I’m just here to pray with you.”
How I wish I could have been there! This was exactly the sort of pastoral moment that our parish has needed for many months, most particularly since the decree was issued to close and raze our parish church. Now, obviously, the new Archbishop could say nothing about that situation, but that’s fine. He didn’t need to. He simply came to pray with a hurting and grieving parish community, and for this I am grateful.
Thank you, your excellency. Thank you.
Following the Mass, parishioners and Catholics from all over Tacoma came together to pray a twenty-decade Rosary – all the mysteries! – in honour of the Blessed Virgin’s birthday.
They prayed with a giant rosary made of fresh roses, donated by freshrosary.com. It was live-streamed on Facebook for all those who could not participate in person. Today, I was one of those people.
What a beautiful way to celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Happy birthday, Mama Mary!
Photos courtesy Amy Gallwas and Diana Rubio.