This page lists upcoming events taking place in the St. Monica Church Community and around the Archdiocese of Seattle. For information on additional Catholics events, retreats, and programs in the greater Seattle area, we recommend checking out the Archdiocese of Seattle Event Webpage and the Sacred Heart Radio Event Webpage. If you have any questions about this page, please contact Tony Brooks, PA for Communication, 206-232-2900 x.131; tony@stmonicami.org.

October is Respect Life Month!

As Catholics we are called to welcome, care for, and protect God’s gift of human life, with special concern for those who are most vulnerable. Click here to read a short reflection which unpacks this Jubilee year’s focus on hope within the context of respect for human life.

National Fall 2025 40 Days For Life Campaign

40 Days for Life has accomplished wonderful results across the world by their peaceful prayer to end abortion. There are now 1000 cities registered to participate in the national campaign. This Fall’s 40 Days For Life campaign began on September 24 and will continue through November 2. The campaign location nearest to our community is in Renton. If you would like to participate in this cause or learn more, we invite you to visit their webpage: 40daysforlife.com/renton

Eritrean Catholic’s Annual Fundraising Dinner

Please join Fr. Negusse & the Eritrean Geez Rite Catholics for a fundraising dinner on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church (820 18th Ave. Seattle, Washington 98122). This buffet dinner will begin at 5PM. Tickets are $30 per person and will be sold at the door. Enjoy the cultural cuisine: Alicha, Zegni, Lentils, Enjera, Traditional Coffee Ceremony, and much more. Additional donations are appreciated to help support: Future Eritrean Catholic Church, Culture, Catechism as well as Fr. Negusse’s various ministries. For more information, please call 206-397-2952.

World Mission Sunday

This Sunday is World Mission Sunday (WMS), a day when Catholics around the globe unite in prayer and generosity for the Church’s missionary work. Pope Leo XIV has called us to be Missionaries of Hope Among the Peoples. Learn more about WMS and the Pontifical Mission Societies by visiting pontificalmissions.org/WMS.

“Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.

These are contexts where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied. Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed. A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society.”

- Pope Leo XIV, May 9, 2025.

We want you to join the choir!

The choir sings at the 9AM Mass on Sundays, practices are held the hour before. If Catholic hymns bring joy to your heart, we want you to sing with us! The choir needs singers for all parts; more volume, and more opportunities to add harmony would greatly enhance what we can do at Mass. We will soon start looking at Christmas music! Please contact Gretchen Rillos, PA for Music at gretchen@stmonicami.org with questions or if you would like to join the choir!

Youth Mass + Dinner! 

Join us this Sunday the 19th for our October Youth Mass and Dinner! Come to our youth mass at Sacred Heart’s 5pm Sunday Mass and join us after from 6-7pm for dinner! Fill out the RSVP form by clicking here!

This Week's Youth Groups

Youth Groups will meet this Wednesday (10/22) at St. Monica Church:

  • J-Walkers (Middle School): 4:00PM-5:00PM @ Family Center & Gym.
  • 6:35 (High School): 6:35PM-8:05PM @ St. Augustine Room.

With any questions, please contact Kelsey Heintz or Sharon Phillips (contact information provided below).

Join High School Youth Group at Sacred Heart’s Parish Mission on Oct 29th 7-8pm in place of our usual Wednesday youth group meeting! Service hours available, email Sharon Phillips for more information.

Emmaus Youth Ministry

Click here to register for Emmaus Youth Groups! Middle School “J-Walkers” meet on Wednesdays from 4:00PM-5:00PM and High School “635” meet on Wednesdays from 6:35PM-8:05PM.

We are still looking for adults to volunteer for our J-Walkers Middle School group on Wednesdays 4:00PM-5:00PM! If you are interested, please email Kelsey Heintz (contact information provided below).

Stay Up-To-Date on Emmaus Youth Ministry!

Visit our Emmaus Youth Ministry page for the latest youth ministry details! With any questions, please contact Kelsey Heintz (Middle School Youth Minister) kelsey@stmonicami.org or Sharon Phillips (High School Youth Minister) sharon@stmonicami.org.

OCIA Classes Have Begun

Interested In Becoming Catholic? Fr. Nagel would like to invite all those interested in becoming Catholic to learn more about the Faith. OCIA classes started on September 15, but it's not too late to join! Father will be teaching a combined class with St. Monica and Sacred Heart from 6:30-7:30PM on Mondays at Sacred Heart Church (9460 NE 14th St, Bellevue, WA 98004). Interested? Please call Heather at 206-232-2900 ext. 130 or click here to sign up.

Upcoming Memorial Mass

The Memorial Mass for Dolores Shanks will be on Monday, October 20, at 11AM, at St. Monica Catholic Church.

Assisted Suicide: The Ethics, the Law, and the Dangers

Assisting in other people’s suicides violates the universal moral principle against deliberately helping to take innocent human life, and the medical profession’s fundamental norm “First of all, do no harm.” As laws are changed to remove initial safeguards against abuse and coercion, the reality of a “slippery slope” toward broader killing has become clear. In a webinar on October 23, Richard Doerflinger, former Executive Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will delve into our Catholic response. Click here for more information.

All Souls Novena of Masses

Our annual All Souls Novena begins on Friday, October 24, and will continue through Saturday, November 1. To have your loved one remembered in this Novena of Nine Masses, fill out one of the envelopes in the church vestibule and return it in the general collection or the parish office. You can also submit your intentions and stipend online by clicking here. Please have all intentions submitted by October 23.

Legion of Mary Retreat

Join the Legion of Mary for a Retreat on October 24–26, 2025 at Black Diamond Camp – Glacier Peak Lodge in Auburn, WA. Led by Fr. Michael Barry, SS.CC., this retreat is a powerful opportunity to experience inner healing and spiritual renewal through a deeper encounter with Christ through Mary. Fr. Michael Barry is a charismatic priest with over 50 years of experience in education, leadership, and healing ministry. His retreats are best known for their powerful healing services, which are a central part of the weekend.

Retreat Highlights:

  • Talks, Prayer, Mass, and Adoration
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Healing Service with Fr. Barry
  • Silence and Reflection

Room Rates (per person):

  • Single Room: $440
  • Double Room: $280
  • Triple Room: $244

Includes 2 nights lodging, 5 meals, and retreat materials. Please submit a $25 deposit to secure your spot.

Retreat Contact: Claudia Dickinson 206-427-3413 claudiad169@gmail.com

Olive Wood Carvings from Bethlehem

We will be having olive wood carvings available to purchase after all Masses on the weekend of October 25/26. The ancient crafts of olivewood and Mother-of-Pearl started in Bethlehem hundreds of years ago when Franciscan monks trained the local population in carving Crosses, crucifixes, and reproductions of the Nativity scene of Jesus birth in Bethlehem and the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. More than 75 families in Bethlehem Hand carved these items, and it is the major source of income for them there. They are very beautiful and unique items-Nativities, Crucifixes, Rosaries, Statues. The Christian population has dropped from 22% to less than 2% in the past two decades. And this is a way to support them to stay there. Thank you in advance for your support.

NW Catholic Women's Retreat

October 25, 2025 | Holy Family Parish

Oh my sisters, you need a retreat! Enjoy a day of sharing and growing in faith with other women through Sacraments, fellowship, and two powerful talks led by Catholic writer and speaker Elizabeth Kelly. Liz’s talks explore our womanhood and the wounds that only Christ’s hope and tender heart can heal. Register today and join us October!

Fr. Jim Sichko at Sacred Heart for Parish Mission

Sacred Heart Parish invites our parish family of St. Monica to join us for our Parish Mission led by Fr. Jim Sichko! Fr. Sichko previously visited St. Monica in June, 2024 and is returning to the area to lead another Mission. Fr. Jim Sichko is a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington, KY, and has been an internationally known preacher, evangelist, and motivational speaker for over 25 years. In 2015, Pope Francis commissioned Fr. Jim as a Papal Missionary of Mercy in conjunction with the Extraordinary Jubilee Year, making him one of 100 in the United States and 1,000 in the world. Known for his presentations entitled "60 minutes for Jesus" Fr. Jim's talks and parish missions are geared for every member of the household, from youth to adulthood, and for anyone, regardless of religious affiliation or not. Known as “the best opening act ever” by Dolly Parton, Fr. Jim uses real-life experiences, personal stories, and humor to motivate any audience to recognize the good within themselves and others, while challenging them to make the world a better place. Each night of the mission is a stand-alone talk. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll sing, you’ll be inspired! parish.sacredheart.org

When: October 27 -29, 2025. Each night at 7:00PM.

Where: Sacred Heart Church 9460 NE 14th Street Bellevue WA 98004

To learn more about Fr. Jim Sichko visit here.

Catholic Citizenship Student Essay Contest

The Knights of Columbus conduct a Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest to encourage today’s youth to be more connected to their community and their faith, to involve them in civic discourse, and instill in them religious and life-affirming values. The contest is open to young Catholics in grades 8 to 12 (public, private, parochial or home schools during the current school year). The 1st place prize is $100!

Essay submissions should be between 500 and 750 words in length and be on this year’s assigned topic: “Out of the 267 popes that have led the Catholic Church, who are your three favorite popes and why?” Entrants will be judged on grammar, style, and how clearly they present the theme in a way that showcases creativity, imagination and overall development of the topic.

If your student would like to participate, please fill out a copy of the official entry form (hard copies are available in the church vestibules) and submit it to our Knights of Columbus council along with a printed copy of their essay. Submissions can be turned in to the parish office. All essay submissions are due by Friday, October 31.

Upcoming Funeral Mass

The Funeral Mass for Richard Bradbury will be on Friday, November 14, at 11AM, at St. Monica Catholic Church.

Spiritual Mentorship — School of Faith

Holy Family School of Faith Institute offers a two-year course of study combining self-paced distance learning courses with in-person sessions offered at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The program aims to form Spiritual Mentors to serve as guide and companion to others on their journey to holiness. It is designed for Catholics who have a desire to develop a deep prayer and sacramental life, to increase their knowledge of the Catholic faith, to grow in the virtues and a desire to help others do the same. For more information on this program, please visit: schooloffaith.com/spiritual-mentorship

Friday Evening Adoration

Don’t forget Friday Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions are offered every Friday, 6PM-7PM in the church. End your work week and start off your weekend right by spending some time in the church adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!

Feeling too ill for Mass?

The general obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is excused for those who are ill or are homebound. If you are unable to attend Mass for valid reason, we encourage you to make use of our Mass Livestream which can be accessed at stmonicami.org/livestream.

It’s much more than just Coffee & Donuts!

Don’t pass on the opportunity to join us every Sunday after Mass for an hour of Coffee & Donuts. More than simply an opportunity for a sugary treat and a cup of coffee, this time is an important chance for each of us to form deeper connections with the other members of our parish community. We encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to someone you don’t know.

Want to help host Coffee and Donuts? Volunteers set-up, facilitate, and clean-up each Coffee & Donuts hour to cultivate an environment where our faith can grow in relationship with each other. If you’d like to help, please contact Gloria Hardy at the parish office at gloria@stmonicami.org or simply talk to one of the volunteers hosting coffee and donuts on a given Sunday.

Knights of Columbus Meetings

No Summer KOC Meetings: In previous communications, we advertised that the Knights of Columbus would be having a council meeting in July. This was incorrect, as the Knights will have no general member meetings in the months of July and August. 

Knights of Columbus want to invite all men of the Parish to join them at their Council meetings held on the first Monday of every month. The meetings are held at 6:30PM in the Parish Office dining room (accessed via the front office entrance).

A life of faith in action, a life of boldness in brotherhood, a life worth living.

For more information, please contact:

Grand Knight Reed Nagel at jacknreed@hotmail.com.

Legion of Mary Meetings

The Legion of Mary group meets every Tuesday morning after the 7:45AM Mass in the St. Augustine Room. Legion of Mary is a world-wide movement of lay people, who propose making Faith the goal of their life in an effort to achieve personal sanctity. The virtue of Holiness in the life of the members of the Legion is promoted under the influence of Mary and the Holy Spirit. This becomes the source of inspiration for Legion work, which is under the direction of our Pastor, Fr. Nagel. He has asked the Legion to take Holy Communion to the homebound, providing the Real Presence of Jesus to them.

For more information, please contact:

Francis Chang (Parishioner) 425-442-3478

Helga Osborn (Parishioner) 206-232-2328

Cooking for the Homeless

Every Tuesday, volunteers of the Friends of the Needy ministry meet at St. Monica’s kitchen at 10:30AM to cook a four-course hot dinner for later delivery. Want to volunteer? Come for an hour or the afternoon, every Tuesday or as often as you like. Experience the joyful camaraderie in the kitchen from preparing the ingredients to washing the dishes. For more information, please contact:

Karen Zimmer (Head Cook) karenzimmer@comcast.net 253-273-6704

Rosary Makers

Rosary Makers is a wonderful group of people who get together every week on Wednesdays in the St. Augustine Room to make Rosaries for the Catholic missions. All are welcome to come and make rosaries or gather the materials to work at home. 

For more information, please contact:

Joyce Kaifer (Parishioner) 425-644-2518

Bringing Holy Communion to the Homebound

Every Wednesday morning immediately after the 7:45AM Mass, members of the Legion of Mary bring the Communion to homebound parishioners who are unable to attend Mass in person. If you or a loved one are physically unable to attend Mass and would like to receive Communion, please contact the parish office to receive more information on this ministry. 

Friends of the Needy Drivers Needed

Is there anyone who would not help their brother or sister? Christ has said, “the less fortunate are our bothers and sisters”. We are in need of 5 more drivers to help feed the 12 different shelter and food banks that we now deliver food to from our most generous donor Metropolitan Market!

If you could spare just 2 or 3 hours once a month that would fulfill our obligation to feed the hungry. If you volunteer you can choose the day of the month that you would drive each month. Please give this some thought and if you would like to just discuss the opportunity, please call me, Bob Kessler, at (206) 276-0515 or email rar811@me.com. Thank you!

The fabric of our parish community is made up of a wide variety of groups and ministries. Visit our Community page to explore more ways to serve others, grown in your faith, and find fellowship!