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.
Support the Church in Central and Eastern Europe
Next week, we will take up the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. This collection supports the Church in more than 25 countries that are still struggling to recover from former communist rule. It also aids communities throughout the region that are affected by the war in Ukraine. Funds support pastoral care, catechesis, renovations, and seminary formation. Your contribution restores the Church and builds the future in this region. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the collection next week. You can find more information at www.usccb.org/ccee. #iGiveCatholicTogether also accepts funds for this collection if you prefer to donate online.
Advent Reflection Books
The Advent begins next weekend on Sunday, November 30. In this time of waiting and anticipation, prepare your heart by spending time with God each day of Advent. This year, we are offering copies of two reflection books for Advent. The first is the 2025 Little Blue Book. In addition to Gospel reflections, this book contains interesting information about people, traditions, and practices of our faith for each day. The second, A Journey Through Advent, is a special project that contains reflections from members of both St. Monica’s and Sacred Heart’s communities. The reflections are accompanied by artwork created by students from our schools and faith formation programs. Both books are available in our church Narthex (main vestibule).
Walking With Purpose - Advent Special
Our Walking with Purpose women’s Bible Study Group invites you to A Journey into Advent. For women only, this is a 3 week stand alone advent special that invites us to reflect on the Blessed Mother’s sacred role in drawing us closer to Jesus and making His love known. Each week, we will contemplate Mary as the first tabernacle and the first monstrance—the one who carried Christ and continues to lead us to Him. We will use a small verse of scripture each day to pray with, a heartfelt paragraph reflection, a journaling prompt and a prayer. We will meet Thursday mornings to discuss how the Lord has moved in our hearts with these scriptures, learn about traditions to do in our homes and mostly to spend sweet fellowship together as women while we prepare for the Feast of Christmas. Register by clicking here!
Our meetings for this program will be on Thursday mornings from 8:30-10:30AM. These three meetings are:
- December 4: In the St. Augustine Room.
- December 11: In the St. Augustine Room.
- December 18: In the Family Center.
Led By The Spirit with Maria Vadia
On Thursday, December 4, Maria Vadia (Catholic Evangelist, Author, and Spirit-filled Preacher) will be giving a talk at St. Monica Catholic Church. We will begin at 7PM with a brief period of reflection, followed by Maria’s talk. The evening will conclude at 9PM.
Maria Vadia was born in Havana, Cuba, and was only 10 years old when her family fled to Miami to escape the Communist regime. In 1987, she was baptized in the Holy Spirit and consecrated her life to Jesus Christ and to preaching the Gospel. In spite of great adversity, the Lord has been with her like a “Mighty Warrior” (Jeremiah 20:11). As Founder of The Glory of God Foundation, Maria is committed to making Jesus known to the nations through preaching the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. Her desire is to see the Catholic Church restored to the beauty of the Bride of Christ - alive with miracles, signs, and wonders. Theme for Thursday evening’s talk is Led by the Spirit, Romans 8:14 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”
YCP Advent Retreat
Join Young Catholic Professionals Seattle Chapter on Saturday, December 6, for their Annual Advent retreat. Led by Abbot Marion Q. Nguyen, O.S.B., the day will begin with Mass followed by time for prayer, fellowship, and small group discussions. Learn more about this event and the speaker and register today by clicking here.
Empowered By The Spirit With Maria Vadia
Maria Vadia will also be hosted by the Encounter School of Ministry, on December 6, for a Transformation Night and Retreat at Holy Family Parish in Kirkland. The theme for this event will be Empowered by the Spirit. Registration for the December 6 event can be found at ascendnw.regfox.com/empowered-by-the-spirit.
St. Monica Giving Tree
The St. Monica Giving Tree is back! This year we are supporting three different ministries: Operation Nightwatch (Collecting warm men's socks, gloves, and beanies), St. Francis House (collecting toys for kids ages 1-12), and Immaculate Conception's St. Vincent de Paul conference (Grocery gift cards $25+). Each tag on the trees has a different requested item. Please return them to the church unwrapped! All gifts are due in their designated spots by Sunday December 7th.
Sock It to Homelessness & Open House
Socks are critical to the comfort and well-being of homeless people. Imagine what it must be like to have the same pair of nasty, wet socks on your feet, 24-hours a day. Not good. Socks won’t solve our community’s homeless crisis. But socks can keep homeless people hopeful, knowing there are neighbors like you, who care. Operation Nightwatch is collecting new men's athletic socks for our homeless friends. We will have collection bins in St. Monica's church vestibules available through December 7. You can also drop off socks for this ministry any time at the parish office.
Operation Nightwatch will be hosting a Sock It to Homelessness Open House on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 12:30–2:00PM, at their Shelter Dispatch Center (302 14th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144). Stop by, drop off the new men’s socks you collected, and hang out if you can. Enjoy coffee, cocoa, and snacks and take a tour of Nightwatch. This is a kid-friendly event. Click here to see their webpage for this event.
KOC Pancake Breakfast!
Next weekend, Sunday December 7, the Knights of Columbus will host their annual Pancake Breakfast for parish, family, and friends. The breakfast will be held between the 9AM and 11AM Masses (10AM to 11AM).
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Monday, December 8, is a Holy Day of Obligation. Our Mass times will be at 8:30AM (with the school) and 6:30PM. The regularly 7:45AM Mass that morning is cancelled.
Hour of Grace
On Monday, December 8, our Legion of Mary group will be hosting an “Hour of Grace” from 12PM-1PM in St. Monica Church. During the hour, participants will pray the 51st Psalm (three times), the Holy Rosary, and have an opportunity to make a total consecration to Jesus through Mary. Towards the end of the hour, there will be time to pray silently, meditating upon the Passion of Jesus. All are welcome to join!
Advent Reconciliation
For Advent, we are offering a special opportunity to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. On Saturday, December 13, 10AM-11AM, five priests will be available to hear confessions at St. Monica Church. This a great way to prepare your soul for celebrating Christ’s birth at Christmas!
Gaudete Mass
The children of Faith Formation will celebrate the Advent season by singing during the Gaudete Mass on Sunday, December 14, at 11AM. Following the Mass, all parishioners are invited to enjoy hot cocoa and treats with friends in the Family Center. Rejoice, and be glad for the coming of Our Savior is near!
Jubilee Year Closing Mass
On Sunday, December 28, at 10AM, in union with bishops throughout the world, Archbishop Etienne will celebrate a solemn Mass marking the end of the local observance of the Jubilee Year 2025 at St. James Cathedral in Seattle. Join in person or watch by livestream on Facebook.
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
ASCEND Eucharistic Revival
This moment is a time to refresh and renew our hearts in hope and ignite a deeper love for the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The ASCEND Eucharistic Revival is a movement dedicated to renewing love of and devotion to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Rooted in prayer, teaching and worship, the event seeks to draw individuals and communities deeper into the mystery of God’s love by better understanding the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Through encounters, formation and sacraments, ASCEND inspires the faithful to live and carry Eucharistic joy in this world. By lifting hearts and minds to God, the revival fosters unity, love of neighbor, healing, and a renewed sense of mission in the church today.
Mark your calendars for May 16, 2026 and join us in drawing deeper into the mystery of Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. For details on this special one-day event, to sign up for alerts, volunteer, and/or support ASCEND through donations, please visit
www.ascendeucharisticrevival.church.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
