Lower Columbia Catholic

05/29/2026

Though celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the story of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Kelso began the same time Washington became a state.

05/28/2026

Your donation to the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Annual Catholic Appeal supports many different ministries that help the mission of reflecting Christ’s Radical Love in the world today. Please donate today on our parish website or to archseattle.org/giveaca. Thank you!

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05/27/2026

Both Friday Masses, 8:30am at St. Rose and 12:15pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary will be said for the victims, families and first responders of the tragedy at Nippon Dynawave on Tuesday morning. We continue to pray for all of those involved and affected, and our community as a whole.

05/26/2026

The Friday, May 29th 8:30am Mass at St. Rose and 12:15pm Mass at IHM will be said for the victims and families of incident today at Nippon.

05/26/2026

Please join us in praying for the all of those affected by the tragedy at Nippon this morning including our first responders and medical personnel.

05/23/2026

A new pastoral letter from Archbishop

A Pastoral Letterby Archbishop Paul D. Etienne (PDF – English | Español | Tiếng Việt) To the Clergy, Consecrated Religious, and Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese: Grace to you and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.+ May 2026 This devotion has its roots in the 17th century. But devotion to the Sacr...

05/22/2026

Just a reminder that the office will be closed on Monday, May 25th.

Also the daily Mass at IHM will be cancelled on Tuesday.

05/22/2026

This weekend, we celebrate Pentecost, often called the birthday of the Church. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Advocate.” The Latin word for lawyer is “advocatus.” Like a lawyer, the Holy Spirit defends and guides us. So, when you’re in trouble, don’t forget — ask for your lawyer, and do what he tells you.
See you at Mass!

05/22/2026

IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION

Dear Parishioners,

I want to offer an important clarification regarding the status of St Joseph Mission Church in Kalama. I used some terminology or phrasing regarding the suspension of regularly scheduled ministry due to concerns of personal and property safety that was imprecise and I want to clarify.
The suspension of regularly scheduled liturgical ministries at a church is not the same thing legally as “closing” a church permanently or relegating it to secular use. This is why there are certain essential items—such as the altar—left as-is even in a church where Mass is not routinely used and why after the Mass on the 17th, I instructed the sacristan to put all the liturgical items back in their places as normal.

However, I did make an error in using the phrase “last Mass” in some of the written and verbal communications to you and others. I should have opted for greater precision in language. This error was pointed out to me by the Archdiocese, and so I want to apologize for that mistake and rephrase that that while we have suspended ordinarily scheduled liturgies at St Joseph Church, it does remain a church, and can still be used on occasion for liturgical functions. We need to be careful, of course, as the safety concerns remain, but as the life of our parish family continues, there may be occasions where the use of St Joseph Church might be appropriate.

We have also made provision to make sure we remain good caretakers of the long legacy of the church, and good neighbors to the Kalama community. We did cease staff hours at the Mission to preserve resources, though we did also work with Family 45 so that our shared personnel still have a livelihood. We have taken steps to secure the property, and are arranging to make sure the grounds are kept via other means.

Once more, I apologize that my imprecision caused confusion and even hurt, I wanted to apologize and give the clarification. I hope this gives some solace to this very difficult situation.

Yours in Christ,
Fr Brian Thompson
Pastor
Lower Columbia Catholic Churches

05/20/2026

Why support the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Annual Catholic Appeal? Your donation supports clergy, Faith Formation, and Hospital and Healthcare Ministry. Please give today through the ACA link on our parish website or at archseattle.org/giveaca.