We are all doing our best to cope with the challenging world we are living in right now! 
¡Todos estamos haciendo nuestro mejor esfuerzo para enfrentar el desafiante mundo en el que vivimos ahora mismo!

“Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (Heb 4:12). The bible is the living presence of the voice of God among us

Starting September 20th, Sunday outdoor Masses will be celebrated at 9500 Jeske Rd., Peshastin. We will keep following the same outdoor Mass guidelines. If you have any questions call our Parish office at 509/548-5119.

Recent major milestones for building our new church. - Construction permits approved to begin - Time to sell Leavenworth property - Groundbreaking Ceremony Conducted on Aug 29th

We have finally arrived at the moment when our candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be confirmed.  This Saturday the 12th is the day. After 2 years of preparation they will be able to make a commitment to the Lord that they desire to confirm their faith in God before the community.

I am deeply grateful to the catechists who pass along the faith to the children of our parish.  I admire them for their generosity in supporting parents in their efforts to form kids in the faith.  Their willingness to give back their time and talent makes our parish stronger.   Our children are well prepared to receive Holy Communion, to live moral lives, and to focus on what it takes to merit eternal life in Heaven.

The bible makes several references to “Holy Ground” which is a specific physical place set aside and consecrated to God. After a significant amount of prayer and planning, we have come to this long -expected day whereby we ask the Lord to bless our groundbreaking and continue to guide our efforts to build the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption.    

Groundbreaking for our new church building.

At this particular time in history, it is a great blessing to be a part of the growth of the Church here in the Upper Valley. This is a turning point that will be remembered for generations to come. The work of the Lord over the past 4 years has been reflected in all of us who have been, and continue to be, his instruments. Without a doubt, the hand of God has been present guiding us and directing us during this historic project.

We have the privilege of being members of a parish named with the title, “Our Lady of the Assumption.” This title of Mary always reminds us that we too can hope in our own bodily assumption one day.   That hope is based on living our lives in harmony with Jesus – just as Mary did. 

It [was] also proclaimed that she had been taken up, body and soul, into heaven. That belief was ancient, dating back to the apostles themselves. What was clear from the beginning was that there were no relics of Mary to be venerated, and that an empty tomb stood on the edge of Jerusalem near the site of her death. That location also soon became a place of pilgrimage. (Today, the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition of Mary stands on the spot.)

...when we experience the storms of life...  Just like the apostles, we too can feel overwhelmed with fear.   When we are experiencing thinks like rejection, betrayal, threats, violence, etc. we need to consciously remind ourselves that Jesus is indeed with us – calmly telling us to “take courage.” ...Let us embrace these words of Jesus today as we face the suffering of this world which lead us to be afraid.  Let find our courage and comfort through a deep and solid relationship with the Lord.  

During this pandemic, we have the opportunity to celebrate this great Sacrament of Reconciliation.  You may call the office anytime to make an appointment with me so that you may be reconciled with the Lord. I am hearing confessions by appointment in Leavenworth.  Let us take advantage of this gift which leads to a grace-filled life and the peace that comes from a purified soul.   

Governor Jay Inslee announced today that "consistent with existing guidance, indoor [wedding and funeral] ceremonies are prohibited in Phase 1" of Washington state's SafeStart plan. The only exceptions are weddings or funerals scheduled before July 28 that will take place before August 10. Below is the full guidance from his memo today.

Let us pray for our youth as they prepare themselves to be confirmed so that once they are sealed with the Holy Spirit, they may choose to be holy Christians who announce with great passion the message of God in this world. 

If at all possible, I invite you to consider attending outdoor or drive-in Masses.  Our Lady of Assumption will continue to offer this opportunity.  Watching Mass at home is better than not participating at all, but gathering as a community – even under limited circumstances – is still much better.

Thank you for your response to the parish survey! We appreciate your feedback and will continue to work on ways to address your needs. We are doing our best to stay connected to you but to also follow the guidelines of the Governor and our Diocese. 

The Lord says, “For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will lis- ten to you” (Jer 29:11-12). After many months of meeting and planning we finally enter July which has been desig- nated as the month of our Capital Campaign Kick Off.

Living God’s plan in the midst of great difficulty helps us to find happiness. But often times it requires an act of the will within us. In that sense, happiness is within us. Let us use this opportunity to take willful, concrete steps to find happiness. Let us carry our cross as good disciples of Jesus and do not dismay. Let us consciously pray for a deeper trust in God. Even with COVID-19, we can find happiness and peace now and into our unknown future.

A child will follow the example of his father quicker than following his advice. We look up to our dads for providing for us, for protection, for help, for character and for a living example of the virtues of temperance, charity, courage and integrity. Jesus reminded us that in addition to our biological fathers, we also have a Father in heaven. He is the one that created us and showed us his unconditional love by sending us his only begotten Son to save us and to show us the way back to him.