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.
Traffic Alert Reminder!
Last winter an expansion joint in the eastbound lanes of the East Channel Bridge failed. This caused back-ups on I-90 and Mercer Island as they shifted traffic around the expansion joint. When this happened last winter, they said replacement would happen in 2025. That time is here. Work is scheduled to take place between September 18 – October 4. WSDOT crews will replace the failed expansion joints, shift lanes, and complete other related essential work. They will reduce I-90 to 3-lanes and close eastbound on-ramps to I-90 from Mercer Island. It is our understanding that there should be no full I-90 closures, however there will be short-term, rolling closures overnight. WSDOT will close two of our three eastbound (towards Bellevue) on-ramps to I-90. These will be continuous (24-hour) closures:
- East Mercer Way (EMW) on-ramp will be closed for 6-8 days starting September 18. This timeframe is dependent on how much they can accomplish during the 6-8 day window.
- 80th Ave SE / HOV on-ramp in Town Center will be closed for the full 16-days.
These closures will detour all east/Bellevue-bound traffic into Town Center to get onto the freeway at Island Crest Way. Westward/Seattle-bound on-ramps will all remain open.
We are anticipating significant delays throughout the north end of the Island, especially getting on/off the Island for the duration of the closure. If possible, avoid peak commute times during weekday mornings (7:00AM-9:00AM) and afternoons (4:00PM-6:00PM).
Check the WSDOT Real-Time Travel Map before you leave. We encourage you to sign up to get direct updates from WSDOT via email and/or the WSDOT app. The City of Mercer Island has also set up an information page with details.
Partners in the Gospel Update
In the mail, you should have received a letter providing an update on our Partners in the Gospel journey. The letter explains where we are in the process of discerning a One Parish Plan for our Parish Family. This information can also be read on our Partners in the Gospel page.
Little Book on the Eucharist
Stop by the main church vestibule for a copy of the Little Book on the Eucharist. This book contains 30 reflections to deepen your love of Jesus. The reflections offer an opportunity to meditate on the great mystery of the Eucharist, allowing you to experience the depths of Jesus' love and the gift he gives of himself in Holy Communion. Available while supply lasts.
Bereavement Group
Sacred Heart invites St. Monica parishioners who have experienced the loss of a loved one, including those through miscarriage, to join a bereavement support group led by Linda Geere, Pastoral Assistant for Pastoral Care at Sacred Heart Parish. This group will meet for 8 weeks, starting on Tuesday, September 16th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the Sacred Heart Parish Youth Room, with the entrance off NE 14th Street. You do not need to be Catholic to participate, so please feel free to invite a family member or friend who has also experienced the loss of someone special.
To sign up or if you have any questions, please contact Linda Geere, at Lgeere@sacredheart.org or 425 454-9536.
Upcoming Funeral
The Funeral for Linda Gadola will be on Friday, September 19, at 11AM, at St. Monica Catholic Church.
Next Step Pregnancy Services 2025 Gala
Early bird tickets for Next Step’s annual gala are on sale until August 15th! Register and learn more about this event by visiting nssuport.org/gala2025.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development Collection
Please be generous in this week’s special collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. In the United States, over 11% of the population lives in poverty. Through this collection, you support programs that address the root causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those struggling across the country. In addition, 25% of the funds we collect remain in our diocese to fund local antipoverty projects. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this collection. Learn more about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at www.usccb.org/cchd.
Youth Mass and Dinner!
This Sunday, September 21, all 6-12 grade students are invited to attend the Sunday 5PM Mass at Sacred Heart followed by a dinner in the youth room! If you’ve already attended Mass this week, still come and join us for dinner! This is a casual gathering meant to center our community around the Mass and fellowship! Please give us a heads up that you’re attending by filling out this RSVP form.
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.
Walking With Purpose
The Walking With Purpose women’s group will meet on Thursday mornings, starting September 25. Come find community among other women through a scripture study that will transform your everyday life by putting Christ at the center of your schedule! The group will start off the year by reading Ordering Your Priorities: Building a Life Well Lived. For more information and to register, please visit stmonicami.org/WWP.
Vincentian Golf Fundraiser
St Vincent de Paul of Seattle | King County will hold their 2nd Annual Vincentian Charity Golf Classic on Friday, September 26 at Washington National Golf Club.
Visit svdpseattle.org/golf to find out more and to register.
Altar Server Training
Calling all altar servers! We are now beginning training for altar servers for the coming school and liturgical year.
Fourth through sixth graders that attend St. Monica will be training September 25th, and all returning servers will be expected to show up September 27th at 2pm for a training that will last approximately 1 hour. There will also be small group trainings scheduled with 3-4 servers throughout the month of October on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30-2:30pm. All servers will be expected to attain trainings. Please contact Ryan Sprute at ryan@stmonicami.org if you would like to sign up yourself or your child. All ages welcome!
Elementary Faith Formation
The first day of Elementary Faith Formation classes is Sunday, September 28. This is the last weekend to register for sacrament-related classes without a late fee. Registration closes October 5 for all sacrament-related classes. Visit our Elementary Faith Formation page for program information and registration.
Celebration for Deacon Larry McDonald
On Sunday, September 28, after the 9AM Mass, we will hold a Reception Honoring Deacon Larry McDonald. As Deacon Larry retires from active ministry, we want to recognize his dedication to our parish over the years. He has been an exceptional role model for what it means to live a life of stewardship, giving freely of his time, talents, and treasure.
Adult Bible Studies
St. Monica has two Adult Bible Study Groups which meet weekly to study the Word of God in Scripture. One group meets on Tuesday evenings and the other meets on Wednesday mornings. This Fall, both of our Adult Bible Study Groups are excited to be exploring the Story of Salvation using The Great Adventure Bible Timeline course. For more information and to register, please visit stmonicami.org/BibleStudies.
Emmaus Youth Ministry
Attention all Middle and High Schoolers! Registration is open for our next year of youth ministry. Click here to register! Middle School “J-Walkers” will meet on Wednesdays from 4-5PM and High School “635” will meet on Wednesdays from 6:35-8:05PM. Visit our Emmaus page for the latest details!
Emmaus Youth Ministry Kickoff
If you are a middle or high schooler and you like fun, food, and good healthy competition, join us for our annual youth ministry kickoff! Wednesday October 1st from 5:30-8:30pm we will meet at the Family Fun Center in Tukwila to start off our year with celebration and competition with laser tag, go karts, and more! Join us to get to know other faithful young people and to see who our big winner will be! Please contact Sharon, our High School Youth Minister, for more information. Click here to register!
Preparing to Receive Confirmation
Our preparation program for the Sacrament of Confirmation focuses on a series of transformative retreats in place of weekly classes. These retreats are designed to provide our youth with profound opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Registration for this program closes October 5. Visit our Confirmation page for more information.
Operation Nightwatch “Lighting the Path” Dinner 2025
Nightwatch will host their “Lighting the Path” dinner gathering on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Seattle Center's iconic Fisher Pavilion, where they will reflect on the role of Nightwatch in collaborating with the broader faith community of Seattle. All funds raised will go to providing food, shelter, housing and hope to our unhoused neighbors in Seattle.
This year, in addition to their street chaplaincy, nightly meals and senior housing, Nightwatch will particularly celebrate the success of their newer emergency shelter for women, which offers chaplaincy, free medical care and case management. Hundreds of women have already benefitted this year! Learn more and RSVP at seattlenightwatch.org/lighting-the-path.
Eritrean Catholic’s Annual Fundraising Dinner
Fr. Negusse’s Eritrean Catholic Community will be holding their annual fundraising dinner on Saturday, October 18. Please save the date, if you’d like to attend. More information will be shared closer to the event.
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!
