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FROM FR. OAKLAND

During this month of July as we commemorate our nation’s independence 250 years ago, I am telling the stories of some of our Catholic heroes and heroines. Last week, it was some of our martyrs – saints and blessed and servants of God. This week, my favorite non-saint.

Esther Pariseau was born in Montreal. At the age of 20, in 1843, she joined a religious order founded in her hometown that very year: the Sisters of Charity of Providence. She would take the name of Joseph in honor of her father. A decade later, Bishop Blanchet of the new Diocese of Nesqually, as we were known then, requested some sisters from his home diocese. They arrived in the Oregon Territory, but almost everything was abandoned for the gold rush, and there was no welcome, so they left – and ended up starting a mission in Chile.  Bishop Blanchet made another request in 1856, and this time he went to Montreal to accompany the five sisters and make sure they arrived. Sister Joseph was appointed head of the mission. 

Contrary to the bishop’s instructions, the preparations had not been made by his vicar general for their arrival at Ft. Vancouver on the Columbia River. There was no place for them to live. They moved into the bishop’s attic, and Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart began construction of a convent. She learned woodcraft from her father, a cabinet maker. She would design and oversee the building of about thirty hospitals, orphanages, schools, and homes for the aged and infirm, from Portland to British Columbia, Port Townsend to Montana. 

Partners in the Gospel Listening SessionsHelp shape the future of our parish family!

Members of Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary, Queen of Peace and St. Joseph, Issaquah are invited to reflect on three key questions in upcoming listening sessions: 1. What challenges do you see that exist in the wider community? 2. What challenges do you see that exist in the parish? 3. Having heard information from the community demographics report, what opportunities do you see (in our parish and in the wider community) to more effectively serve and accompany others? Is there anybody that we can do a better job of reaching?

Each 90-minute session will be led by trained parish volunteers and will include prayer, reflection, and time for personal sharing. The goal is deep, prayerful listening to where the Holy Spirit is leading us. Your input truly matters. The Parish Family Advisory Committee (PFAC) will receive the unedited words of every parishioner who participates. What you share will directly influence the next phase: “Who Do We Want to Become?”