A parish is a community of believers and a spiritual family that is supportive and loving. It can be a place to grow spiritually, to put your faith in action, and to use our gifts of time and talent as disciples of Christ. St. Monica Catholic Church is located on Mercer Island, in the middle of Lake Washington to the East of Seattle (4311 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Whether you’re just visiting us for a brief time, are looking for a new parish home, are returning to the practice of your Catholic faith, or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we’re happy to have you here!
Our parish office (4301 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA, 98040) is open Monday - Friday from 8:00AM-4:00PM. You can reach us by calling (206) 232-2900 or emailing
parishoffice@stmonicami.org. To contact a specific staff member, visit our
Contact Page.
西雅圖天主教華人團體 - Seattle Chinese Catholic Community
The Seattle Chinese Catholic Community (SCCC) is a Catholic faith community serving mainly the Chinese community in Western Washington. The SCCC was established in 1982 under the Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish of Archdiocese of Seattle. Saint Monica is now the permanent parish of the SCCC. Members of the Chinese community are registered as St. Monica parishioners and participate in the parish life and mission.
Seattle Chinese Catholic Community Website: seattlechinesecatholic.org
Sunday Chinese Mass: 1:00PM (Homily alternates between Mandarin and Cantonese.)
Sunday Chinese Confessions: 12:30PM-12:50PM
The Founding of St. Monica Parish
Father John A. Walsh was our founding pastor and within a few short months he channeled the enthusiasm of our initial 380 families into a building program. Countless individuals contributed to the building fund and made special donations and memorials. By June 1959, property that had been purchased in 1950 by Archbishop Connolly was cleared and contracts signed to erect a church, a ten-room school and a ten-room convent at the cost of $516,063. The Parish increased by nearly 100 families in 1960 and the first Mass was celebrated in the new church on June 26, 1960.
In addition to tending to the congregation’s spiritual needs, St. Monica was a parish that grew through prayer and socialization. Many will remember the first parish activities. First, the choir was formed. How many recall singing Christmas carols on Jean Bourdeau’s festooned boat while cruising around the island? The Bentlers, Rambaldinis, and Weigands began a square dance club, which, after three years, became St. Monica’s Social Club. The first parish dinner, held in 1966, was to be a break-even event, but it raised $1,800. From that year forward, the dinner was a moneymaker event and it laid the foundation for today’s auction.
In February 1977, Father Walsh was reassigned as Pastor of St. Thomas Church in Riverton. He left behind memories of laughter and his favorite Irish Blessing. Sadly, less than five months later he died. As Walter Parietti wrote in a memorial dedication “His spirituality was such that it inspired us all to be close to God."
