How well this bulletin works is up to you, the members.  It is a place for you to make recommendations, inform others of information you think will interest them, express your thoughts, and respond to views expressed by others.  CTA is essentially about church reform and social justice, a broad umbrella which can accommodate many sub-topics, so expect the subject matter on this web page to be wide-ranging.

To submit a posting, simply email whatever you would like to say to the webmaster, using the address information@ctaww.org.

October 8, 2005, from Harmon Eaton:

Check out the Letter to the Editor written by CTA member Tom Hill.  It was published in The Olympian on October 3, 2005.

February 8, 2005, from Harmon Eaton:

For the first time in months a new book has been added to the "Books of Interest" page.  Look for Donald Cozzens' Faith That Dares to Speak for excepts from author David Gibson's excellent review.

If anyone reads a terrific book and is willing to contribute a very brief  review of it, I will be more than happy to add it to our list!  

A Call To Action, by the CTAWW Board

On Dec. 21, 2004 both the Seattle Times and PI wrote cover stories entitled “Board Members Rip Archbishop” and “Stance On Priest Abuse Troubles Task Force”. On Dec.23^rd a follow up response, “Board Criticism Of Archbishop Grows” appeared in the Seattle Times. The board of CTAWW feels a response by individual members of Call to Action to the bishop is the best option for the most impact. 

Concerns addressed by the independent review board:

1. Archbishop misleads the public by suggesting that it is not likely that there will be any further incidents of child sexual abuse by a priest of the archdiocese.
2. That there’s no evidence Brunett has put safeguards they recommended in place.
3. That Brunett challenged their authority to write a report critical of church policies, by trying to suppress strong language in the board’s report
4. Brunett is disbanding the case-review board and that a new board yet to be formed may not be independent enough.
5. Criticism of Brunett’s decision to delay releasing names of offending priests until after the Vatican decides their fate.

There are many issues on which to respond.  Check the “Recent Articles” on our web-site for some of these articles. If you chose to respond to the archbishop and are comfortable, we would like to post them on our bulletin board.

Mail your letter  to the following addressees:

Archbishop Alex Brunett,                 Rev. Paul Magnano, Vicar for Clergy
910 Marion St.                                  910 Marion St
Seattle, WA 98104                            Seattle, WA 98104

December 21, 2004, From Tom Hill

Here is the text of my letter to The Olympian, published on December 21, 2004:

“Leaflets spread blame of sexual abuse to Seattle”, by Nicholas K. Page, The Associated Press, Article in Thursday Olympian, November 30, 2004, page B2:

 I found the Seattle Archdiocesan spokesman’s comment that the spreading of the pamphlets was, “counterproductive” to be a typical disingenuous and arrogant response we have become accustomed to hearing from Archbishop Brunett and his staff. The truth is, nothing really has changed in the way our church hierarchy handles reports of abuse. Keep in mind, there are many forms of abuse church leaders can become involved in besides sexual abuse. For example, taking money from a poor and mentally incompetent person and refusing to give it back when asked. How about indiscriminate firing of lay employees or volunteers because a dysfunctional pastor has a need to exercise power. The Catholic Bishops are very concerned that clergy accused of sexual abuse receive “due process” in determining their innocents or guilt but they have no such concern that lay people are heard and given “due process” when confronted with the abuse of leadership so common in the Church today. Archbishop Brunett could begin ending abuse in the Archdiocese of Seattle by simply being available and listening to people who have been hurt by the Church. My experience tells me Archbishop Brunett does not want to hear “the sense of the faithful” unless there is pending legal action.

Tom Hill

December 16, 2004, From Harmon Eaton

Owing to a minor operation and the press of other matters (as well as a dearth of good material), only a few "recent articles" were posted during the first part of December.  However, several new items have just been received that are well worth reading, including one that I think is truly exceptional.  If you read no others, I recommend "God's Clock" by Catholic author James Carroll.  It is almost poetry in prose form.

December 3, 2004, From Clarice McCartan

The next Mass with Fr. Bill Bichsel and students of The Evergreen State University will be at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 15, 2004. The Mass will be in a new room and building, but in the same Seminar II complex.  If you park in Lot C (remember, parking is $1.25) you can avoid the walk across Red Square. Drive straight ahead upon entering Lot C until you see a wooden sign on your left saying "Communications Building". Park nearby, walk past the Communications Building to Seminar II, and find Room 2107 (B Building, second level).  Afterwards, buffet-style supper at the on-campus Greenery is an option.

November 3, 2004, From Clarice McCartan

Once again we have been invited to celebrate Mass with Fr. Bill Bichsel and students of The Evergreen State University. The Mass will begin at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, November 17, 2004.  Park either in Lot B or Lot C (remember, parking is $1.25), then find your way past the bus pick-up point and into Red Square. Look for the new concrete building on your right, which is Seminar II, and go to  Room 3109 C (third level, far side of the building). Afterwards, all are invited to join in a good and inexpensive buffet-style supper at The Greenery (located on the campus).

November 1, 2004, From Letters to The Editor, The Olympian)

Hungry for positive change

What a breath of fresh air it was to have the Revs. Mary Ramerman and Jim Callan join us recently!

We, who are so hungry for hope that positive changes really can happen for our Catholic communities, were well nourished by their visit.

Not only that, we were able to participate in a historic event when Mary, an ordained Catholic priest, was able to offer Eucharist for the first time in Olympia -- where all were welcome to receive communion -- and lightning did not strike us.

I am particularly grateful to The Olympian for covering this special event, since we are not allowed to put any notices regarding church reform in our Sunday bulletins or even in The Progress (our Catholic newspaper for the Northwest). It's hard to spread the good news, but you can't hide the light under a bushel . . . .

                                                                              Jackie Huetter

Some photos of the October 9, 2004 event in Olympia featuring the Revs. Jim Callan and Mary Ramerman have now been posted on the website.  Click here to see them.

October 12, 2004, From Harmon Eaton

An email received from the national CTA organization offers current viewpoints, resources and information.  Click here to view it in its entirety.  

Dear Friends,

How wonderful to see so many coming together to hear "good news" from Revs. Mary Ramerman and Jim Callan! It was a very special blessing to gather with everyone to participate in the celebration of a full liturgy, which included a woman Catholic priest for the first time in Olympia.  This was a historic occasion, and yet it seemed so right and natural.

Scott, from the Olympian, did a very good job of getting info. and impressions from our retreat, and reported very fairly. It would be very helpful, if you feel so inclined, to write a letter to the editor by e-mailing news@theolympian.com, sharing your feedback on how the retreat day went, and how you are interested in positive changes for our churches. Like Fr. Jim Callan says, "If something is stirring inside you that seems right and just, then do it!"

Mary and Jim were very grateful for your warm welcome and searching questions. They were very moved by your personal stories and concerns.  Thank you, again, for being willing to "come and see".

God bless "the next",
Jackie Huetter

Thought For Today From Harmon Eaton:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

                                                                   Margaret Mead

October 6, 2004, From Betty Hill:

 Parishioners ask that Saint Michael’s Westside Council be reinstated:

On September 26 at 11:45 AM at a room in the Westside Church a meeting was held to continue the dialogue on the closing of the Westside Council. Facilitating the meeting was Terry Walter, our new Pastoral Assistant for Administration and Resource Development. A total of 19 Westside Parishioners and Father Lee were in attendance.

Sharon Fascnacht, co-chair of the dismissed council, began by explaining the sequence of events that led to the dismissal of the council. There seemed to be some difference of opinion as to whether the pastor closed the council or that the council voted themselves out of existence. In either case the Westside Community was not informed of the action taken until after the council was dismissed. The community present shared their feelings about the action. Terry announced the administrations position that Westside is only two of Saint Michael’s 7 mass times. Her stated vision contradicts the original purpose for creating the Westside and Southside. The original vision was to build smaller communities under the umbrella of St. Michael’s. In other words, we should be seven mass communities rather then seven mass times. We are many communities under one Saint Michael administration. Terry brought a question with her to be answered by those present, "How can we all be one?" It was clear from the comments that the parishioners present have always felt we are one with the greater Saint Michael Parish but we are also a smaller faith community called the Westside.

Comment: This image of smaller faith communities was the original vision; it allows for the building up of faith and a better way to serve the needs of the people. The faith community needs representation on the governing body of the parish. Pope John Paul II in the ad limina visit of 30 US Bishops on Sept. 11 called for more collaboration with all. That is what the Westside Community is asking, that a council/committee be reinstated on the Westside and made up of parishioners recognized by that community. In this way collaboration will take place, voices will be heard, and parishioners needs will be met.  =Betty Hill, Westside Member

September 21, 2004, From Harmon Eaton:

Several months ago Father Jim Lee announced that he had decided to discontinue the West Side Community Council, a move which took West Side  members — including serving council members — completely by surprise. Since then, a number of parishioners have communicated their distress at this unilateral act, which essentially deprives West Side attendees of their parish voice. Asked to reconsider, Father Lee said he would think about it. Last Sunday he announced that he would take the matter up immediately after the 10:30 am service on Sunday, September 26, 2004. Those interested may wish to make a special effort to attend.

September 18, 2004, From Joe Castanguay:

:After Mass on September 19th at St Michael Parish, it was announced that a committee is studying/planning the establishment of a Diocesan Catholic High School for the Olypia, WA area. Although space is short and so is time, I think it important to voice my concern. First, I was born and raised Catholic, attended Catholic Schools all the way through college and taught in Catholic high schools (including the religion syllabus).  Second, I believe passing on the Catholic faith is the primary responsibility of parents/family —  the Church should help with this (currently the roles seem reversed to me). Third, I don't believe the pay back for a Catholic high school education is worth the resources put into it  (these resources should be put into helping parents/families to experience the faith (not in a formal/traditional school setting). Forth, I believe Catholics too often retreat into the Catholic "circle of wagons," and fail to make an impact on the world/environment around them. I.E., if the public schools are failiing to meet educational needs and the environment (social/moral/intellectual) is not healthy, then Catholics need to get in there and fix it with other like minded Christians — and our Catholic students ought to be encouraged to take more leadership in the public schools to help set the appropriate moral and educational tone. Why compete with the public school system where students are already on a "$5,000 a year community based scholarship" for general education? 

Achieving the counteraims I've briefly stated is not going to be easy or cheap — but in my mind, it's what Catholic "education" should be about.

September 4, 2004, From Louise McAllister in Seattle:

A Book by CTAWW member Barbara Monda has just been published by Ave Maria Press (192 pp, paperback).

The publisher's note reads:  If a woman wrote the psalms this is what they would sound like. While there are many books for women featuring the psalms, Barbara J. Monda is the first to offer a woman's version of these beloved sacred songs. She reveals a feminine image of God that embodies the  strong yet nurturing feminine persona. Writing with a deep understanding of a woman's spiritual perspective, Monda has created poetry that speaks of God in both feminine and neutral terms. More than a new translation or the simple interjection of feminine language, here you will find a new vision of the psalms, fashioned through the passionate and enlightened eyes and heart of a woman.

August 26, 2004, From Louise McAllister in Seattle:

Please take time to get your registrations in for the October 9 day-retreat with Fr. Jim and Rev. Mary from Spiritus Christi, at St. Placid Priory in Lacey. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9 FROM 10 AM to 5 PM.  

IIf you have questions about driving, or about overnight accommodations, please call Betty Hill at (360) 357-6207. There was a registration form in our last newsletter. If you have misplaced it, call Betty for another, or you can register with her by phone.  

This will be a remarkable experience. I had a day-retreat with them last September at Seabeck, and it was a deeply moving, prayerful, joyful time. Thank you so much, Louise.

August 13, 2004, From Harmon Eaton

An email has been received from the national CTA organization which offers current viewpoints, resources and information.  Click here to view it in its entirety.  

August 12, 2004, From Harmon Eaton

I thought this cartoon rather apt, in light of Cardinal Ratzinger's July 31, 2004 letter.  

August 2, 2004, From Harmon Eaton

The word on the web is that, world wide, over 5,000 websites now carry Cardinal Ratzinger's Mulieris Dignitatem. See our own Recent Articles page for a link to the full text, as well as to an exegesis by Peter Kelly. A major article on Mulieris Dignitatem published by The Washington Post was carried on the front page of The Olympian on August 1, 2004. Many U.S. newspapers have either reprinted that story or have since carried an article on it with text that was similar.

July 28, 2004,  From Louise McAllister, CTAWW:

It is gratifying to see that the CTA "fever" has caught on in Olympia. It may be only through the energy of groups like yours that we have any hope of making the voice of the laity heard by the fellows who wear the mitres and capes.

Harmon, thanks for the great work you do on this website! You truly make it easy and fun for us to connect with like minds.

Please remember our October 9 retreat with Reverends Mary and Jim from Spiritus Christi, and the national CTA conference in Milwaukee, November 5-7.

Thanks again for a beautiful evening.  Louise McAllister, CTAWW

  July 24, 2004, from Harmon Eaton:

Click here for photos taken at Tom and Betty's on July 22, 2004, The Feast of St. Mary Magdala. Want copies? Right-click on any photo and choose "Save Picture As . . .", which will bring up a "save" dialogue box enabling you to save it to your own computer.