I want to thank those who took the time last weekend to sign letters supporting the conscience rights of pharmacists. I know that these days many people are reluctant to put their name and address behind any cause. Still this is an important issue. Jesus said that whatever we do to the least of his brothers, that we do unto him. Human embryos are our tiniest brothers and sisters. Today they being treated as a product which we can manipulate according to our desires - and discard when we no longer find them useful. “Emergency Contraception” represents one more assault on these tiny humans. It damages the nest meant to receive them. A small group of pro-life pharmacists has taken a stand against dispensing this death dealing drug. Your letters to the Washington State Pharmacy Board will help support their conscience rights. The Board meets this Thursday, August 31, so it is not too late to sign a letter supporting them.

This struggle to defend human life at its earliest stages reminds us that we are in a David and Goliath battle. Groups like Planned Parenthood have enormous financial resources and they use them to influence legislators and manipulate the media. For example, in articles about “Emergency Contraception” you will only find talk about “preventing pregnancy” as if the human embryo were a non-entity. The devil seems to control so much of modern media. But we have a powerful weapon: prayer. When David went against Goliath he picked up five small stones which can represent the five decades in a rosary. By praying the rosary, especially before Jesus the Blessed Sacrament, we can change our culture.

Speaking of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, we will have the Adoration Tent outside the church after all Masses. This is an opportunity to find out more about this beautiful prayer and to sign up for specific hour of Adoration. We need volunteers to maintain this vital apostolate.

As we enter the final full week of summer vacation, we pray for our school children and their parents. Holy Family School is in the final stages of renovation and our teachers are moving back into their classrooms after this work. It is still possible to register a child for grades pre-K through eighth. Call 206-767-6640 or drop by the school or rectory during office hours.

You may have noticed the display of CD’s in the vestibule. By listening to CD in your home or car, you can learn more about your faith and how to help others understand the beautiful gift of faith. Titles include “How to Bring Fallen Away Catholics Back to the Church” and “Which Came First, the Bible or the Church?” I particularly enjoyed the conversion story of Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C.: “Former Drug Dealer to the Catholic Priesthood.” Here is what one Catholic mom, Yvette, had to say about this CD:

"I was driving my three teenagers, two boys and a girl (ages 13-17), back from school and put in Fr. Calloway's conversion story CD. I was amazed at how transfixed the kids became. We even got home and parked in the garage but no one got out of the car. Twenty minutes later my husband came out to ask us what we were doing. The next morning when we got back into the car to go to school, my daughter, who usually fights me over the radio, said, 'Mom, quick! Put that CD back on so we can hear the rest of his story before we get to school.'"

My brothers and I had a great fishing trip on Monday. The boat left Il Waco at 3:30 a.m. and returned at 6:30 p.m. - a beautiful fifteen hours out on the ocean. Below are some pictures from my brother Louis:

Estamos en los últimos días de vacaciones antes del comienzo del nuevo año escolar. Casi hemos terminado el trabajo de renovación de la escuela parroquial y el salón a su lado. Estoy agradecido a todos que hayan donado su trabajo y que hayan apoyado la Campaña Capital.

Desde luego, lo más importante es la oración. Habrá personas al lado del templo después de todas las misas con información sobre la Adoración Eucarística. Les invito hacer un compromiso de una hora por semana.

Finalmente les agradezco a todos que firmaron cartas apoyando a nuestros farmacéuticos pro-vida. Todavía hay oportunidad para hacerlo este fin de semana.

Fishing Trip to Il Waco

Work on the South Portable: