July 14, 2021
Dear Friends at St. Louise,
Today is the feast of St Kateri Tekawitha, the first Native American to be canonized. As many of you know, the second miracle for her canonization took place at Children’s Hospital in Seattle when a young boy, Jacob Finkbonner, was cured of a flesh-eating disease after a medal of then Blessed Kateri was placed on his chest. Jacob’s father, Donny, is a member of the Lummi Tribe.
Jacob is now a college student. The scars of the disease remain in his face and as he grew, he had to have reconstructive surgery several times. St. Kateri also has a scarred face from smallpox, a European disease to which Native Peoples had little or no resistance.
The Catholic story of Native Peoples is one of profound faith and of many scars. Of course, I am thinking of the recent discovery of the physical abuse that took place in the residential schools that were run by both the Church and the Canadian government. As a priest and pastor I was horrified and ashamed to hear these stories. As a public representative of the Church, I apologize that priests and nuns committed such offense against First Nation children. It is an example of the danger of being blind to evil by the limitations of a particular time and world view.
I am praying today through the intercession of Kateri Tekawitha that the Holy Spirit will heal us of these wounds and help us to learn to be sensitive to the scars that remain and to “do surgery” when necessary, as we grow.
With hope in Christ and sorrow for our sins,
Fr. Gary Zender
Pastor
Important communication about changes in the St. Louise Parish staff
Dear Friends at St. Louise Parish,
I hope that you are enjoying these summer days. I am writing this message to you as members of St. Louise Parish, of important changes in our parish staff. In late June, I learned of information that led me to re-think the structure of our staff. After prayer and careful reflection, I have decided that it is best for St. Louise Parish to retain David Gehrig as Pastoral Assistant of Pastoral Care and for him to continue directing the funerals and pastoral care ministries. I am grateful that David has accepted my offer to remain on our parish staff. This decision means shifts in key areas of responsibilities for other staff members. Geri Hanley – Director of Community Life, will now coordinate Adult Faith Formation and the new parish small group initiative in collaboration with our Evangelization Commission. Geri will not direct pastoral care and funerals as previously planned. Fr. Ben Bray – Parochial Vicar, will oversee the Worship Commission and Liturgy Committee. Katie O’Neill – Director of Evangelization, will now direct Liturgy and continue as staff resource to the Evangelization Commission. I will provide this same information and updated staff organizational chart, in the bulletin the weekend of July 18/19.Please read Fr. Gary’s letter here.