January 11, 2025

Archdiocese News

Archbishop Etienne authorizes Deacons in the Archdiocese of Seattle to Wear the Roman Collar when in Active Ministry On December 26th, the Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr, Archbishop Etienne will update our Archdiocesan policies authorizing “permanent deacons to wear gray clerical shirts when actively engaged in ministry in a public setting.” Archdiocesan policy had previous prohibited the wearing of the Roman collar by deacons, except for special situations like street ministry with the express permission of the Office of the Vicar for Clergy.

Some deacons requested and received that permission. Their experiences ministering on the streets of Seattle raised the idea for this change. “Originally, wearing the Roman collar when on the streets was about ensuring our safety. But then we discovered that wearing the collar while serving those on the margins created the opportunity for encounters that would never happen otherwise. We asked, why not make this possible in other settings like prison ministry, hospital ministry and committals?”

Before considering the proposal, Archbishop asked the Office of the Vicar for Clergy to consult deacons and priests throughout the Archdiocese and to consult with dioceses across the country. After extensive consultation, finding many benefits and few problems, Archbishop approved the policy change. The new policy permits deacons to wear the Roman collar with a gray shirt when engaged in active ministry. Deacons are encouraged to exercise good judgment wearing of the collar and only do so when it helps those to whom they minister.

In implementing this policy, the Archdiocese of Seattle joins an increasing number of dioceses that permit deacons to wear the Roman collar. Many of those dioceses, but not all, ask their deacons to wear gray shirts. Most dioceses that implemented this policy found that people became familiar with deacons wearing gray shirts quite quickly. Those with questions about the new policy can consult the attached Frequently Asked Questions flyer or contact Deacon Eric Paige at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Deacons Wearing Clerical Attire

Why did Archbishop update the policy?

Permanent deacons permitted to wear the Roman collar in street ministry found wearing it significantly improved their ability to connect with people on the margins. By permitting deacons to wear the collar, we hope to increase the ability of deacons to minister to people with pastoral need.

Should deacons wear the Roman collar all the time?

No. Deacons should only wear the collar while actively engaged in ministry.

Do deacons have to wear the Roman collar?

No. Deacons are permitted to wear a Roman collar when in active ministry, but not required. Some may find that it helps in their ministry and others may not.

Will people confuse deacons with priests now that they can wear a Roman collar?

This hasn’t been a problem in other dioceses. Deacons will wear gray shirts with the Roman collar which should help people tell the difference. In cases where a person calls a deacon “father” the deacon can clarify that he is a permanent deacon.

Since deacons are wearing gray shirts with the Roman collar, are priests still permitted to wear gray shirts if they like?

Yes. Priests who like to wear a gray clerical shirt are still free to do so.

Who purchases the clerical shirts that deacons wear?

Each deacon will purchase their own clerical shirts if they opt to wear them.

When does the policy go into effect?

December 26th, the Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr one of the very first deacons.

Pastor Note

January 08, 2025 – Pastor’s Note Christmas Feedback

This note can also be found on Fr. Moore’s personal website.

First, thank you to everyone who made our Christmas celebrations possible! On such a big day, it takes an entire team of liturgical ministers to make our churches beautiful and welcoming, and I am so thankful for all of them.

Second, I would like your feedback about the Christmas Masses. You can fill out a survey here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jH08B0CUqP

Two of the questions on the survey are related to my not being entirely happy with the Christmas schedule we have used the last two years. There are two problems:

  1. We cannot cover it with our four assigned priests. We need a visiting priest every year to cover one of our Masses to make it work. We need to eliminate one of our Christmas Eve Masses for the schedule to be sustainable.
  2. Vigil Masses really should not be before 4:00 pm. I have to get special permission from Seattle each year to offer 3:00 pm Masses. However, with the extra length of Christmas Masses and the drive times, our Masses really do need to be 3 hours apart. Meaning if I put our earliest Masses at 4:00 pm, our next layer of Masses will be at 7:00 pm, and I am worried the 7:00 pm Masses will be unpopular, putting too much space pressure on the 4:00 pm Masses.

I am not sure how to fix these issues, but I would appreciate your feedback.

Four Fundraising Letters

You may not realize it, since it is currently hard to receive every parish’s bulletin, but I have letters related to money or fundraising out at four of our locations simultaneously: Assumption, Sacred Heart, St. Joseph (Ferndale), and St. Joseph (Lynden).

These are, of course, in addition to trying to keep the regional and local budgets balanced. I have been a little worried about finances as of late. However, I see my job as Pastor to be transparent with parishioners about the needs of the parishes. The parishioners can decide how to respond.

Staff Changes

The beginning of a new calendar year is a convenient time to make some staff changes. The following are going into effect this month:

  1. The Location Manager in Lynden (presently Lorena Duarte) is moving to 30 hours/week, down from 40.
  2. We are “regionalizing” all facilities positions, resulting in a Regional Director of Facilities (presently Bert Bertschinger) and two 24 hour/week Regional Maintenance Persons. This means:
    • Brenna Sebens, previously the Facilities Manager for the entire Assumption campus, is transitioning to be the Facilities Manager only for Assumption Catholic School.
    • Dave Wolfe, previously the Facilities Manager at Sacred Heart, will now be a Regional
    • Maintenance Person at 24 hours/week, focused mostly on south county campuses (Assumption, Sacred Heart, Viking Catholic, and Lummi).
    • Joe Reese is retiring as the Facilities Manager at St. Joseph Lynden. (See also the finances letter for Lynden above.)
    • We will presently be looking for a 24 hour/week Regional Maintenance Person to focus on the north county campuses (St. Joseph Ferndale, St. Joseph Lynden, St. Anne, and St. Peter).
    • We are actively in the process of looking for a new Regional Director of Facilities, so that Bert can retire

Partners in the Gospel

Before the next set of Listening Sessions, which will occur after Easter, the Parish Family Advisory Council, PFAC, will be gathering and analyzing information regarding our Parish Family’s Demographics, Financial and Facilities metrics information. This information will be shared with the Parish Family before the Listening Sessions occur so participants can better answer the listening sessions’ questions.

To help assess the factors that will determine the effectiveness of a plan to fulfill the mission of the Church we need to complete a Parish Family Demographic Survey and look at five groups of key metrics that have been identified along with viability levels for each metric. Based on research, these groups of metrics help identify a parish family’s current state and its ability to sustain its operations into the future.

Demographics – Identify Who We Serve

An important starting point for discussions is to identify the people the parish family serves — both within the parish and within the wider community. The Demographic Survey will be completed by doing a written survey collected at Mass.

Viability Metrics – The five metrics of viability are:

  1. Evangelization metrics: Total confirmations, first communions, and faith formation participants.
  2. Utilization metrics: Church utilization and capacity.
  3. Staff Metrics: Staff count.
  4. Capability to maintain buildings: Number of buildings and their current condition.
  5. Financial viability: Total Parish family income.

Listening Session Questions – The questions that will be asked at the Listening Sessions are: 1. What challenges do you see that exist in the wider community? 2. What challenges do you see that exist in the parish? 3. What opportunities do you see (in our parish and in the wider community) to more effectively serve and accompany others?

Parish News

St Joseph, Ferndale Spaghetti Luncheon

When: Sunday February 1, 2026, 11:30 am
Where: St Joseph, Ferndale Hall

Spaghetti Luncheon after mass, donations to Benefit Altar Society. Lunch will include Spaghetti with or without Meat Sauce, Garlic Sticks, Salad and Dessert.

If you are unable to attend and would like to Support the Altar Society you may provide a donation.

Anointing of the Sick

Father Moore has provided a quick reference to Anointing of the Sick. Please click the link below or find copies of his notes in the church or Parish Office.

https://frmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2019-10_anointing-of-the-sick.pdf

Faith Alive with Fr. Tyler

When: Saturday January 24, 2026, 7-8 pm
Where Sacred Heart Church

Join Father Tyler in the 6th Session: Marian Theology/Devotion

SANTO NINO de CEBU FIESTA

When: Saturday January 17, 2026, 10:00am Rosary, 11:00 am Holy Mass
Where: Church of Assumption

The Filipino Catholic Ministry of Whatcom Catholic invites all to join us is a celebration. After Mass, all are welcome at a reception in the school gym featuring the Teatro Kabayan for entertainment and the Sinulog dance. For mor information please contact Tess Bandolon at 360-319-0196

Jesus Day Camp

Save the Date June 22-26, 2026, for Jesus Day Camp at St Joseph, Ferndale.

School News

Assumption School

SAVE THE DATE!
When: Saturday March 7, 2026
Where: Bellingham Golf & Country Club

Our 26th annual “Growing Great Kids Auction & Gala” is right around the corner. This year it will be at the Bellingham Country Golf and Country Club. Tickets will be on sale soon. Start planning your table guests and invite your friends and family for a wonderful time supporting our local Catholic School in Whatcom County.

NDCHS: Access to Education, Hope for the Future

The Northern Deanery Catholic High School team thanks our volunteers, donors, and supporters for their help this past year in developing the vision and structure for our school.

Guided by Pope Leo’s vision for Catholic schools and buoyed by our Archdiocese’s remarkable growth—one of only five in the nation experiencing consistent enrollment growth over the last five years—we continue to be committed to expanding access to Catholic education both geographically and financially in our Northern Deanery region.

Together, we celebrate this Christmas season with great hope, purpose, and shared commitment to forming the next generation of thoughtful, compassionate leaders.

We send many blessings to you and your families this joyous season and look forward to continuing to share more news in the new year.

Follow us on Instagram @northerndeaneryhs – we will be posting ongoing updates there soon.

Wider Community

Women’s Connect

When: February 26, 2026, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Where: Sacred Heart Hall

The Theme is “Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit” Zelda Buck from Catholic Community Services is coming to show us their various ministries and Teresa Meurs will give a short testimony. Kerry Morton will lead us in song. More to add to our Liturgical Binder and another craft. It should be a great evening and we look forward to seeing you.

RSVP to www.womensconnect.live.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter

Unwrap the gifts in your marriage on the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

It is a weekend for married Christian couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together.

Sign up today to attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience on February 13-15, 2026, LaQuinta Inn, Tacoma, WA

Early registration is highly recommended. Please contact Jeff and Sandy Corneil 360-903-2321. For more information and other dates please visit our website at: https://wwme.org/.

St Vincent De Paul

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
St Vincent de Paul is looking for volunteers to distribute financial assistance to our neighbors in need at Hope House on Fridays 12-1:30 beginning in January.

Please call 360-734-2722 and leave a message if you are interested in this ministry

CYO

Registration for CYO Summer Camp is open!

Archdiocese of Seattle’s CYO Camps are the only summer camps in Washington that inspire campers to learn respect and dignity for themselves, others and the environment—all through Catholic teachings. Both day camp and overnight camp options are available for grades 1-12. Learn more and register.

Upcoming

January 13, 2026

  • St Joseph Ferndale Funeral Patricia Crosby 10:30 am

January 14, 2026

  • Parish Office Closed

January 15, 2026

January 16, 2026

  • St Joseph Daily Mass 9:00 am
  • St Joseph Divine Mercy 9:30 am
  • St Joseph Spanish Ministry Bible Study 6:00 -9:00 pm

January 17, 2026

  • St Anne Confessions 4:30 pm
  • St Anne Vigil Mass 5:00 pm

January 18, 2026

  • St Joachim Confessions 8:00 am
  • St Joachim Mass 8:30 am
  • St Joseph Mass 10:30 am

In case you Missed it

Nativity Story of Matthew-Lead by Sister Maureen When: Every Wednesday 7-8pm Where: Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83545441635?pwd=bx4d7PhaNm93iH3ba9eKSVOWyh2xHc.1

Published