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.
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).
School Toy Drive
Did you miss your chance to participate in St. Monica’s giving tree project? Give a gift to the St. Monica Crusader Toy Drive!
St. Monica Catholic School is collecting new, unwrapped toys, books, or blankets for children ages 6-12. Items can be dropped off at the school office December 8-12. In this holy season of Advent, as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ, this is an opportunity to bring joy to local families in need!
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!
2025 CCS Appeal
For over a century, CCS has served individuals and families seeking to overcome poverty, homelessness, hunger, mental illness, and injustice across 19 counties in Western Washington. Every day, they serve our community by:
- Coordinating shelter and permanent homes for people experiencing homelessness
- Arranging home care for seniors and people with disabilities
- Providing counseling and recovery services for children and adults
- And reaching out to those on the margins of our society, isolated and unseen.
At Masses next weekend, December 13-14, we will hear from a member of the CCS team member. We encourage you to put faith into action through a gift to the CCS Appeal. Your gift, no matter the amount, will show love, kindness, and care toward our Western Washington neighbors.
You can give online today at ccsww.org/donatenow or make a gift during Mass next weekend using provided Appeal envelope.
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!
Youth Advent Prayer Night
Pray — Reflect — Praise
Save the date for Wednesday, December 17, at St. Monica Church, from 6-7PM. The Emmaus Youth Groups invite all youth and their families to attend an Advent Prayer Night. A light reception will follow the prayer service.
Middle School Christmas Lock-In
Middle School Youth are invited to an All Night Lock-In from 7PM on December 19 until 7AM on December 20th! There will be a gingerbread house competition, indoor snowball fight, Christmas movies, and cookie decorating. RSVP by clicking here!
With any questions, please contact Kelsey Heintz kelsey@stmonicami.org.
Christmas Mass Schedule
On Wednesday, December 24, our Christmas Eve Masses will be at 4PM and 8PM (with incense.
On Thursday, December 25, our Christmas Day Masses will be at 10AM (with incense) and 1PM (in Chinese).
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.
St. Monica Year-End Giving Reminder
Our sincerest thanks to all of our parishioners for their Time in prayer, their Talents serving our parish, and their Treasure shared throughout 2025. May God continue to bless you in the New Year!
All gifts (including online gifts) made on, before, or postmarked by December 31st are tax deductible and will be recorded on your 2025 parish giving report for this tax year. A charitable contribution may just be the right decision to enable you to itemize your taxes (if you don’t already).
- Make a end of year online donation to St. Monica by visiting pushpay.com/g/stmonicami.
- In 2025, individuals aged 70½ and older can make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) of up to $108,000 per year from their IRAs, which can help reduce taxable income and satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
- Gifts of securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) are some of the best gifts to make whether they have appreciated or not. Check with your broker about avoiding last minute rush for year end gifts of securities.
Please also remember us:
- For any matching gifts from your employer (especially for our school)
- As a beneficiary of your Donor Advised Fund
- In your will & trusts or as one of the beneficiaries of your retirement fund & life insurance
- For a memorial/remembrance gift
Please contact the Parish Office (206) 232-2900 if you have questions on ways to donate beyond cash.
New Issue of Northwest Catholic Magazine
The latest issue of Northwest Catholic Magazine for December and January is now available to read online. Visit nwcatholic.org/magazine to read this and past issues of the digital magazine.
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.
Washington State Catholic Conference
The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) is the common voice of the Catholic Bishops of the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Diocese of Spokane, and the Diocese of Yakima. They encourage advocacy in public policy as we work together for the common good to create a society that recognizes the dignity of every human person. Visit wacatholics.org to learn more.
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.
