I am featuring a “guest column” this week as we prepare for our first round of Partners in the Gospel Listening Sessions across the county.
This is written by Paula Martin-Zender, an Assumption parishioner, the 4th grade teacher at Assumption Catholic School, and a key organizer of Assumption’s different Listening Sessions for the Synod on Synodality and Partners in the Gospel.
Dear Parishioners,
I was asked to add to the conversation of why parishioners might want to be involved with the Partners in Gospel listening sessions this month. I begin with prayer:
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
When participating in Partners in the Gospel listening sessions in the way that was recommended by the Archdiocese a couple of years ago, I didn’t expect how vividly this prayer would come to life. I sat around a table with
people whom I had seen numerous times at Assumption. I didn’t know
their names nor their stories, yet we all shared the same faith and church building.
In the first round, as I listened to their thoughts, concerns and convictions, it made me understand how they came to the positions they had. When they spoke, it was difficult not to immediately begin a dialogue. However, we were following the protocols given and could not speak yet. When it came to my turn, the group members deeply listened and understood my position. What I did not expect was the silence between the speakers. At first, impatience was apparent, wanting to skip the awkwardness of no one speaking. However, each period of stillness carried profound significance that invited the Holy Spirit to the table. Connections were made and themes were felt, even within very diverse opinions. The silence created a sacred space to see each other differently.
As the rounds unfolded, the sparks of possibility grew. God’s presence kindled the fire of shared excitement for what our Parish Family could become. We began to trust the process, and to recognize the presence of God and the wisdom in our combined words and experiences.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit were unmistakably present: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
So, I invite you. Come speak and listen. Come pray and discern. Let the Holy Spirit whisper to you the possibilities, the dreams, and the steps toward renewal. Let us grow together in Christ.
Come, Holy Spirit!
Blessings,
Paula Martin-Zender
As a reminder, this is the schedule of Listening Sessions:
Church of the Assumption, Bellingham
- October 12th after the 10:00 am. Mass (Sunday)
- October 18th after the 5:00 pm. Mass (Saturday)
- October 19th after the 8:00 am. Mass (Sunday)
- October 19th after the 1:00 pm. Spanish Mass (Sunday)
- October 21st after the 5:30 pm. Mass (Sunday)
Sacred Heart
- October 5th after the 11:00 am Mass (Sunday)
- October 26th after the 11:00 am Mass (Sunday)
St. Anne, Blaine
- October 2nd after the 9:00 am Mass (Thursday)
- October 4th after the 10:30 am Mass (Saturday)
St. Joachim, Lummi
- October 19th after the 8:30 am. Mass (Sunday)
St. Joseph, Ferndale
- October 5th after the 10:30 am Mass (Sunday)
- October 12th after the 10:30 am Mass (Sunday)
St. Joseph, Lynden
- October 11th after the 5:00 pm Mass (Saturday)
- October 12th after the 11:00 am Mass (Sunday)
- October 25th after the 7:00 pm Spanish Mass (Saturday)
St. Peter, Deming
- October 19th after the 8:30 am Mass (Sunday)
Fr. Moore 