Partners in the Gospel
Partners in the Gospel in 2026
Earlier this month, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne opened the new year with his annual letter summarizing the happenings of 2025 and sharing the vision for 2026. Here is an excerpt from his letter about Partners in the Gospel:
“This Partners in the Gospel process is our highest priority this year. Creating a strong faith community in the new parish family, celebrating the sacraments, proclaiming God’s Word and practicing charity in all its forms — this is what we are called to do amid today’s world and realities. The world changes, but Christ and his Church are always one and the same through the ages. But in every age, we must be sensitive to how the Holy Spirit seeks to form us into the Body of Christ in specific places and concrete situations — and those are the changing realities we are facing.
I encourage everyone to participate in the parish family consultation sessions that will take place over the next few years. Conversations may be difficult, but respectful, prayerful listening and dialogue provide the opportunity to rethink this present moment – to think about the larger Catholic community and the capacity of our resources, human and spiritual. We will need to let go of some of our own desires and comforts to courageously embrace a new way of fulfilling the Church’s mission. In the coming year, we will be asked to set aside our personal desires and listen attentively to the voice of the Holy Spirit. In the process, we will discover God’s dream for us and make that dream our new reality!”
Parish News
Summer Youth Programs Information Night
When: Saturday, Feb 14 (after evening Mass)
Where: Church of the Assumption
or
When: Sunday, Feb 15 (after 5 p.m. Mass)
Where: Sacred Heart
Learn about Steubenville Youth Conference, Agape / Days of Grace, and registration details. Email [email protected] to get info directly if you can’t attend.
Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule
Northwest Corner
- 7:15 am, Mass, Ferndale
- 12:30 pm, Mass, Blaine
- 5:00 pm, Mass, Lummi
- 5:30 pm, (Spanish) Mass, Ferndale
Bellingham
- 7:15 am, Mass, Sacred Heart
- 10:00 am, Word & Ashes, Assumption
- 12:30 pm, (School) Mass, Assumption
- 5:00 pm, Mass, WWU Campus
- 5:30 pm, Word & Ashes, Assumption
North/East County
- 8:00 am, Mass, Lynden
- 5:30 pm, Mass, Deming
- 5:30 pm, Word & Ashes, Lynden
Lent Small Group Sessions
Hope and Renewal Through the Season of Lent with Pope Leo XIV
Five 60-90 minute small group sessions of prayer and reflection for the Jubilee Year, focused on the Lenten Scriptures with reflections from Pope Leo XIV’s Dilexi te.
During this Lenten season, we reflect on the Word of God and pray that our hearts may be open to encounter Jesus in all the ways he comes to us: in word, in sacrament, in service, and in all his people, especially the poor.
When: Every Thursday Starting February 19, 2026-March 19, 2026, 6:30-8pm
Where: St Joseph, Ferndale Disciples Den
RSVP: David Day [email protected]
or
When: Every Friday Starting February 27, 2026-March 27, 2026, 10-11:00 am
Where: St Joseph, Ferndale Disciples Den
RSVP: Myra Whiting [email protected]
or
When: Every Thursday Starting February 19, 2026-March 19, 2026, 10:30 am-Noon or 6:30 pm-8pm
Where: St Anne Hall
RSVP: Christy Schroeder [email protected]
High School BLAST Retreat
When: Saturday, March 7, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Where: Camp Lutherwood.
A day of faith, fun, games, and building healthy relationships for all high school youth. Email [email protected] to get registration info directly.
Middle School BLAST Retreat
When: Saturday, March 14, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Where: Camp Lutherwood.
A day of faith, fun, games, and community for all middle school youth. Email [email protected] to get registration info directly.
School News
School Update
The second semester has begun for all our students in K-8th grade. This week our volleyball and wrestling sports season has started for middle school students.
And please note that this week the “all school mass” will be on Thursday, February 5th at 8:15am because the school will be closed on Friday for a teacher in service professional development day. Please continue to pray for our students, teachers, staff, coaches, and for the success of our auction.
Affiliated Organizations
Rachel’s Corner: Project Rachel Post Abortion Healing Retreats
“It is like someone has given a huge gift to your garden that for years has not been green nor growing, and suddenly, everything begins to grow again in the garden of your life. I feel loved by God, worthy of His love and I have been able to accept the mercy of God again. I am alive again.” – Testimonial
English Retreat – Friday, March 6 – Sunday, March 8, 2026
Spanish Retreat – Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, 2026
English Retreat – Friday, Sept. 25 – Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
English: (206) 920-6413 (leave a confidential message)
Español: (206)-450-7814 (deje un mensaje confidencial)
Email [email protected].
Visit us at ccsww.org/projectrachel or facebook.com/projectrachelww.
Project Rachel is a program of Catholic Community Services.
You are loved with an everlasting Love!
Statewide Second Collection for PREPARES program
On February 7th and 8th our parish family will participate in the statewide PREPARES Open Your Heart Second Collection. The PREPARES (Pregnancy & Parenting Support) ministry is a nurturing, parish-based response to mothers and fathers who, regardless of religious belief, have chosen life: the promise of support and care from pregnancy to their child’s fifth birthday. Your gift, no matter the amount, will have a real impact in fulfilling the promise to families in need to provide life-affirming, life-changing support. Watch Bishop Shuster’s video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngM87egtkdU. The program was initiated in 2014 by the bishops of Washington state to offer parishes the opportunity to live out Catholic teachings about the value of all human life and the preferential option for the poor. Since then, statewide, the program has been adopted by 197 parishes, and in 2025 trained 1,070 Volunteers and Companions providing 27,218 family encounters, offering one-on-one companionship, children’s essentials, and social and educational events for young parents. To learn more, volunteer, or donate visit preparesforlife.org . Whatcom Catholic currently has 2 PREPARES programs, one at Church of the Assumption and one at St. Joseph, Lynden. This campaign will help support the state-wide program, which provides support to our 2 PREPARES programs
Upcoming
Monday, February 9
Tuesday, February 10
Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin
Wednesday, February 11
- Parish offices closed.
Thursday, February 12
- 8:30am-8:45am: Confessions/Rosary – St Anne
- 9am-10am: Mass – St Anne
- 5pm-6pm: Mass – St Joachim
- 6:30pm: Mens Group – St Joseph, Ferndale, Disciples Den
Friday, February 13
- 9am-10am: Mass – St Joseph, Ferndale
Saturday, February 14
Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop
- 3pm-4pm: Confessions – St Joseph, Ferndale
- 4:30-4:45pm: Confessions – St Anne
- 5pm-6pm: Mass – St Anne
- 6pm-10pm: Valentines Party – Assumption
Sunday, February 15
- 8am-8:15am: Confessions – St Joachim
- 8:30am-10am: Mass – St Joachim
- 10:30am-12pm: Mass – St Joseph, Ferndale
In case you Missed it
Valentines Party
When: February 14, 2026, 6:00-10:00 pm
Where: Assumption Church Gym
Live band for listening and dancing. Food for snacking and a no host bar- CASH or CARD available.
Cover charge for the whole evening is $10 per person. Adults 21 and older please.
Sponsored by Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters
St Joseph, Ferndale Rummage & Bake Sale
Sponsored by St. Mary’s Guild
Are there items in your home collecting dust or clothes you haven’t worn in a long time?
A good way to clear your home of clutter is to donate clean usable clothing and items.
We are unable to accept TV’s, computers, electronics, baby car seats, Christmas trees, large furniture and appliances.
Drop off items at the Church Hall:
Friday May 15, 9:00 am- 2pm
Sale:
Saturday, May 16, 8am- 2pm
Hotdogs, sodas, and baked goods will be available.
St Anne All Church Chili Contest
When: February 21, 2026, after 5pm mass
Where: St Anne Hall
Please share your talents
Bring the Heat! Enter our annual Chili Contest for a chance to be crowned the Chili Champion.
Show us what you’ve got and take home the title of Best Chili or bring a side or dessert to share. Everyone is welcome.
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.
Jesus Day Camp
Save the Date June 22-26, 2026, for Jesus Day Camp at St Joseph, Ferndale.
Mom’s Group Meeting
When: every Monday after the 8:15am Mass
Where: Sacred Heart in Fairhaven, Toddler Room
Moms with children 5 years old and under are welcome to join a new mom’s group meeting. The Whatcom Catholic Moms groups is a community for mothers with children five years old and under to gather in faith, support, and friendship. We seek to listen to the Spirit as He guides and strengthens us to bring God’s love to our families, and through them, to the world.
Contact Connie Schmidt (832) 210-3371 with any questions. We’d love to see you!