Pastoral Care & Outreach

A series of pastoral ministries that provide spiritual care and resources while developing mutuality and kinship with people on the margins.  Our ministries include: Criminal Justice Ministry, Hospital & Healthcare Ministry, Immigrant & Refugee Ministry, Seafarer’s Ministry, Inclusion Ministry, Mental Health Ministry, Grief Ministry, and Ministry to the deaf.

Announcing: A New Ministry to Serve Mothers of Incarcerated Children

The grief of having a child in prison is a pain so deep that one may find it difficult to reach out to others for help or support.  Feelings of shame, helplessness, and isolation may cause you to retreat deeper into yourself. We envision a group where confidential sharing can happen, where people can gain strength from others having a similar experience, and where resources can be shared. If you are the mother of an incarcerated child, or know of someone who is, and could use a listening ear, we encourage you to contact Lisa Dreyer at (253) 381-7683 or via email at lisadreyer@remax.net. Meetings will occur at St. Leo Parish, Tacoma.  This ministry is sponsored by our archdiocesan Criminal Justice Ministry.

One Parish, One Prisoner

Did you know that, roughly speaking, Washington State has almost the same amount of prisoners as churches?  Churches are a natural support system for people returning to society following a prison sentence.  Criminal Justice Ministry is expanding our prisoner re-entry pilot project.  Would your parish be interested in entering into a relationship with a single inmate (via letter writing and prison visits) with the intention of providing wraparound support and accompaniment upon their release?  Join our growing list of pilot parishes in an ecumenical effort to connect churches with prisoners for their mutual transformation!  Training provided!

Faith Community Nursing Scholarships Available

Are you interested in starting a health ministry within your congregation? Do you have an RN or LPN attending your church that may be interested in leading this ministry?  Faith community nursing (Parish nursing) is a nursing specialty recognized by the American Nursing Association that focuses on care of the individual in body, mind and spirit.  Pacific Lutheran University and Concordia University (Portland) in partnership with Faith Community Nursing/Health Ministries Northwest and CHI Franciscan Health provides the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course in the South Sound.  This year the course will be held February 28-March 1 and May 3 (2 ¾ days) with an 8 week interactive online course component in between.  The CHI Franciscan Foundation provides the Jean Vanberg Parish Nurse Scholarship to help fund this course.  For further information and to receive a scholarship application packet please contact Debbi Saint at 253-426-6343 or debbiesaint@chifranciscan.org.   Deadline for application submission is Feb 5.

Monthly Immigrant & Refugee Network Gathering

This is an open meeting. Every Second Thursday of each month from 1-3 PM at St. James Cathedral. We meet in the Cathedral Place building across from O’Dea High School.Next meeting: Thursday, February 14^th

• All those working on immigrant & refugee matters in their respective parishes, schools, agencies, and lives are invited to attend.
• Network meetings typically include an update on current events from St. James Immigrant Assistance and/or the Washington State Catholic Conference
• Attendees have an opportunity to report on their respective immigrant & refugee support activities and network with other workers in the vineyard.
• Please join us and let’s build the Kingdom of God together – for all God’s children.

For more info, click HERE or contact Joe Cotton at (206) 382-4847 or joe.cotton@seattlearch.org.