Northwest Catholic

01/15/2026

The Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican tribunal that deals with matters of conscience, issued a decree published by the Franciscan Friars Jan. 10, declaring a yearlong celebration in honor of the Poverello, or the Little Poor One.

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

01/15/2026

The tiles for the mosaic tondo were created using the ancient cut mosaic technique and fixed with traditional Vatican oil stucco — at the request of American Cardinal James Michael Harvey, the archpriest of the basilica.

The Vatican has completed the official mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV, continuing a centuries-old tradition that marks the election of each new pontiff.

01/15/2026

Beginning his annual letter to the people of the Archdiocese of Seattle, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne wrote, “Like many of you, I take time at the start of the new year to reflect on the previous year and pray about priorities for the future — not just for myself as your archbishop, but for the archdiocese as well.”

Archbishop Paul Etienne released his annual letter Jan. 14, urging the people of the Archdiocese of Seattle to focus on their relationship with Jesus.

01/14/2026

The next few weeks around the Archdiocese of Seattle are filled with special Masses, retreats, concerts and guest speakers.

Check them out!👇

The next few weeks around the Archdiocese of Seattle are filled with special Masses, retreats, concerts and guest speakers.

01/13/2026

Redemptorist Father William “Bill” Cleary died Dec. 29, 2025, in Missouri after a brief hospitalization. He was 89.

Born March 21, 1936, in Portland, he was the second of Michael and Wilma (Duffy) Cleary’s five children. The family lived one block from Holy Redeemer Church in Portland and knew the Redemptorists who served there well. Young Bill knew he wanted to become a Redemptorist from the time he was an altar server.

He served for decades in parish ministry in the Redemptorists’ former Oakland Province, including St. Thomas Parish in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and its missions to Alaska and Montana. In 1987, at age 51, he responded to the call to pioneer the Redemptorist mission in Nigeria along with three other Redemptorists. He faithfully planted seeds for the apostolate there for 14 years and oversaw the construction of its major sites. He is remembered and beloved today by the confreres of the Vice Province of Nigeria.

Father Cleary returned to the United States in 2008 and was assigned to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Seattle. Although he officially retired in 2010, he ministered at Sacred Heart and throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle until last September, when health issues required his move to the St. Clement Redemptorist Mission Community in Barnhart, Missouri.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 3 at St. Clement Redemptorist Mission Community Chapel in Missouri. Interment will be in the Redemptorist plot at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Portland.
Please read his obituary here: https://ow.ly/gKLY50XWssb

01/08/2026

In implementing this policy, the Archdiocese of Seattle joins a number of dioceses that permit deacons to wear a Roman collar. Many of those dioceses, but not all, ask their deacons to wear gray shirts.

Deacons in the Archdiocese of Seattle will be allowed to wear gray clerical shirts with a Roman collar when actively engaged in public ministry.

01/07/2026

On her Jan. 4 feast day — which this year coincided with the U.S. observance of the Feast of the Epiphany — The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland, both closed a 50th anniversary commemoration of her canonization and launched a yearlong America250 initiative exploring her life in post-Revolutionary War America and the ongoing impact of the religious communities she founded.

The national shrine of the first U.S.-born saint is aiming to help patriotic revelers discover “Mother Seton” among the pantheon of iconic nation-builders.

01/07/2026

Pope Leo XIV presided over the rite of the closing of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica Jan. 6, 2026, officially ending the Jubilee of Hope.

01/05/2026

Why should you invite someone to priesthood or religious life?
Find out in Fr. Justin Ryan's column below. https://nwcatholic.org/voices/justin-ryan/you-are-called-by-name

01/05/2026

"Do not be afraid...I have called you by name." (Isaiah 43:1) Our first annual Called By Name weekend is Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

Go to: https://ow.ly/6cp050XS2o2 to read about this new initiative that involves you! Ask the Lord's guidance as you prepare to submit the names of those you know who show signs of a call to priesthood or religious life through their love of the Lord, our Church, and their heart of service.

Photo: Sister Chero Chuma of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace chats with a teen at the Middle School Encounter. (Photo by Stephen Brashear)
Northwest Catholic

01/04/2026

Happy Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord!
Read about how to celebrate at your home:

Northwest Catholic is the official magazine and news site for the Archdiocese of Seattle, serving the Catholic community of Western Washington.

01/03/2026

We want to know: Who has been the most influential person in your faith development and why?

👉 Send your response along with your name, parish, and city to [email protected] or share your answer in the comments below!