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Mission
& Goals
Mission
Statement
Together with our Pastor and Bishops, we witness to God's saving love in our worship; minister to people in need; develop an informed faith and an understanding of the dynamic tradition of the Catholic Church; encourage good stewardship; and empower all to responsible participation in the life and work of the faith community.
Goals
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To
build and strengthen a faith community that welcomes and
accepts all people by providing opportunities to
recognize
and use their gifts and talents for the development of
Parish
life.
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To
extend loving service and compassionate support to people
with physical, emotional, spiritual and material needs
within
the parish and the broader community.
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To
pledge ourselves to work for a larger Christian vision of
justice by striving to change the social attitudes, conditions
and structures that work against the poor and
disadvantaged.
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To
tithe our gifts, talents and resources and ensure that they are
used responsibly to fulfill our parish mission.
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To
celebrate our Catholic faith through quality liturgical rites,
worship and sacraments.
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To
provide faith formation for all ages so that they may have the
opportunity to experience the message of the Gospel and
understand our Catholic identity.
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Getting
Involved in Volunteer
Ministry
There is a
wonderful spirit of involvement at St. Madeleine's. Catholics today
are expected to share in the continuing work of Christ in our world.
We understand that the call to discipleship, witness and service
applies to all of the baptized. As we put our faith into action, we
find great joy and our lives take on new meaning.
Of course, how we live out our baptismal call is determined by our
gifts, our personal circumstances, and the time and knowledge that
we have. We are the Body of Christ, and we accept our part of his
mission in our families, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and
parishes.
Parishioners make
an annual Volunteer Ministry Commitment each , indicating the areas of parish life in which they offer to
serve. After the Commitment sheets are compiled, everyone is
contacted by parish staff or volunteers, given information about the
ministries, and asked to serve in one of more ministry areas.
Serving on a volunteer ministry team is a great way to get to know
people as well as to give back to God some portion of the many
blessings we have received.
Parishioners wishing to get involved in volunteer ministry may
contact the parish
office about volunteer opportunities or the school
office. In December 2006, the parish will begin our annual
volunteer opportunity program. Please look for information in the
bulletin at in the announcements.
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Stewardship
Supporting
our parish financially flows out of our sense of belonging. As you
become an active parishioner, the more you feel that you belong to
the parish and the parish belongs to you. Giving to the Church
becomes as natural as paying the monthly bills.
It is expected that all Catholics will financially support their
parish at a level in accordance with their means. Registered
parishioners receive envelope packets in the mail every two months.
Donations may be made through the collection basket at mass or by
electronic payment.
Parishioners make an annual Sacrificial Giving Commitment each
November, indicating the level at which they plan to give and if
they will be donating weekly, monthly or annually. Sacrificial
Giving stems from the biblical concept of "tithing" or
returning to God a planned percentage of the blessings we have
received. The suggested goal is 10%, with 5% given to the parish and
5% given to wider Church needs, other charities.. Catholics work toward this goal, starting at a level
they can afford and progressively "taking a step" in faith
each year.
Parishioners wishing to make their donations by electronic payment
may click below to print the blank form and return it by mail or
through the collection basket at Mass.
Electronic
Payment Form
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Pastoral
Council
The Pastoral Council advises and assists the pastor with the broad
direction of the parish. Parishioner members, serving 3-year terms,
are asked to be visionaries and strategic planners. The Council also
promotes community and unity, by listening to the parish community
and formulating broad priorities, goals and policies, which
articulate and foster the mission of the parish. The Pastoral
Council meets monthly.
Pastoral Council
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Finance
Council
The Finance Council advises and assists the pastor in maintaining
the financial health of the parish. Parishioner members, serving
3-year terms, formulate the annual budget, monitor income and
expenditures, evaluate special needs and make recommendations to the
pastor in areas of financial concern. The Finance Council meets
monthly on the fourth Thursday.
Finance
Council
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Who
Was St. Madeleine Sophie?
Madeleine
Sophie Barat was born in Joigny, a small town in northern France, on
December 12, 1779.
She grew up in the simple home of a barrel-maker where her
brother, Louis, unable to complete his training for the priesthood,
because of the political, social and religious upheaval of the
French Revolution, gave her a remarkable intellectual formation for
a young girl of the time.
He introduced her to ancient history, the classics,
literature and languages.
At the age of sixteen, she went with Louis to Paris where she
continued her studies in philosophy, theology and scripture.
It
was in Paris that she learned of plans to form a new congregation of
women whose end would be to make known the universal and
unconditional love of God revealed in the person of Jesus.
On November 21, 1800, Madeleine Sophie and three others
consecrated their lives to God in the Society of the Sacred Heart.
In this act, they committed themselves to a way of life that
would be
both contemplative and active, deeply
rooted in prayer and devoted to the service of others in union with
Jesus through the power of his Spirit.
In the aftermath of the French Revolution, Madeleine Sophie saw the education of women as the primary means by which the Society would enable others to come to know God's love and be empowered to bring about social change within their particular areas of influence.
Gradually, she opened schools throughout France and Europe.
In 1818, Mother Barat sent Philippine Duchesne to North
America.
From St. Charles, Missouri, the Society spread through the
United States, Canada, the Antilles, Mexico and South America.
Today,
Religious of the Sacred Heart represent a diversity of cultures and
races and serve in more than forty-one countries in Africa, Asia,
Europe, North America, Central America and South America.
Since 1906, Religious of the Sacred Heart have served in the
Archdiocese of Seattle.
Besides staffing Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart on
Somerset, others in the community minister in parishes, social
service agencies, health care facilities, educational institutions
and spiritual development programs.
Madeleine
Sophie Barat died
on May 25, 1865.
She was beatified in 1908 and canonized in 1925 at which time
the Church recognized her virtues of wisdom, humility and charity.
Philippine Duchesne, her pioneer friend and follower, was
canonized in 1988.
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Parish
History
On June 8, 1968 Archbishop Thomas Connolly announced the formation
of a new parish in the South Bellevue area, to be placed under the
patronage of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Sisters of
the Sacred Heart, who have a convent and school within the parish
boundaries. Property
had been acquired on a sloping site of approximately 10 acres, with
an existing house.
St. Madeleine Sophie parish began under the guidance of Fr. Jarlath
Heneghan, the founding pastor.
Neighborhoods were carved from the existing parishes of
Sacred Heart and St. Louise of Bellevue, St. Anthony of Renton, and
St. Joseph of Issaquah. Fr.
J moved into the house, and Sunday Masses were celebrated at Tyee
Junior High School, which became known affectionately by
parishioners as "St. Tyee."
In the Fall of 1968 the first general census and Foundation Fund
Campaign was successfully completed. With tremendous enthusiasm, generosity and cooperation, along
with God's blessings, the campaign was a resounding success.
Design studies for the sloping site resulted in the present
three-level plan, with the church sanctuary on the top level and
social hall, classrooms and offices below.
Architectural plans were approved by the Archdiocesan
Building Committee in February of 1970, and Masses began in the new
facility on April 4, 1971, Palm Sunday.
In
1977 the founding Pastor was succeeded by Fr. Gerald Mayovsky.
As the parish grew we were blessed to have associates Rev.
Kurt Woellner and Rev. William Harris and several priests of the
Society of Jesus assisting on weekends.
The lay staff also was expanded, and the parish became known
for its outstanding faith formation programs for children and youth.
During this era a Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Reconciliation
Chapel were incorporated into the sanctuary level and the parish
debt was retired.
Fr. George Rink began his pastorate in 1990.
During his time at St. Madeleine Sophie there were not the
priests available to assist, and Fr. George placed even greater
emphasis upon developing trained volunteers and staff.
A milestone event was the celebration of our 25th
Anniversary as a parish.
Our fourth pastor, Fr. John Renggli, was with us only three years,
but is remembered for his dedication to all who needed priestly
care.
In
2000, as we celebrated the Jubilee Year, the parish welcomed Fr. Jim
Picton as its fifth pastor and Fr. Emmanuel Iweh, Parochial Vicar.
The growing parish population, which was nearing 1500
households was overjoyed at again having two priests.
Their gifts, combined with those of our committed staff and
volunteers are bringing a dynamic start to the new millennium.
Perhaps the strongest common thread running through the history of
the parish is the commitment, dedication and loyalty of our people.
St. Madeleine has truly become a People of God out of the
spirit of Vatican II. Our many gifts and talents are readily shared, enabling our
various ministries to flourish and increasingly meet the needs of
the parish family and community.
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