Partners in the Gospel

Family #28: Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary Queen of Peace, and St. Joseph (Issaquah)

For more information, visit archseattle.org/partners.

Welcoming Our New Priests!

Fr. Matthew Oakland grew up in Lacey, Washington, where his parents still live in the same house he grew up in. His brother Jamie lives in Olympia with his wife and six children. His dad worked as a journalist and editor for 40 years at the Olympian, and his mom worked for the Department of Retirement Systems, taking some time off in the middle to care for her two sons when they were younger. They all are still active members of St. Michael's Parish, where Fr. Matthew Oakland received all his sacraments. He went to public school growing up, and studied for two years at Western Washington University before transferring to Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio to join their program for men discerning a priestly vocation. Becoming a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Seattle the summer after graduation, he went to St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, California, spending his internship year at St. Jude Parish in Redmond. He was ordained a priest on June 12, 2010.

He served as a parochial vicar at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Everett and St. John Mission in Mukilteo. In 2011 he became the Priest Administrator (aka the pastor) of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Camas and Our Lady Star of the Sea Mission in Stevenson. In 2015 he became the pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle, including a school with over 500 students. And now he is excited to see what God has in store for him in his next chapter in the hills and mountains, valleys and plateaus of eastern King County. In his free time, he enjoys reading (besides the Church stuff you might expect, he also loves historical fiction and nonfiction), spending time with family and friends, traveling, catching a show at the theater, and is always happy to play a game of Old Maid or Sorry, Cribbage or Catan.

Fr. Kyle Poje is a native of Spanaway, Washington and comes from a loving family with three brothers and three sisters. Of the nine Pojes, six of them served in the U.S. military. It was his dad's military career that brought the Poje family to Washington state.

Before ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Poje studied philosophy at Gonzaga University and theology at the North American College in Rome, Italy. He also studies canon law at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. where he will receive a license in canon law and serve the juridic needs of the Church. He has been happily serving as a priest of the Archdiocese of Seattle for the last three years. In his free time he enjoys playing soccer, running, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, playing guitar, and traveling. He greatly looks forward to serving the Catholic community in easter King County in August after completing his summer studies.

Fr. Jaya Embeti is a priest of the Diocese of Nellore in India, and served in parishes in Renton and Grays Harbor County from 2018-2023, leaving when his visa expired. He is coming back for some vacation, and will help out until August 9th.

Partners in the Gospel Family News

On Monday, July 1st, Fr. Matthew Oakland will become the new pastor of Mary Queen of Peace in Sammamish, Our Lady of Sorrows in Snoqualmie, and St. Joseph in Issaquah. He will be assisted by Fr. Kyle Poje. Fr. Poje is taking a break from his studies in canon law to serve our communities this year. He is taking summer courses, and will not arrive until early August. Fr. Jaya Embeti, a priest of the Diocese in Nellore in India, will be helping out this summer in his place. Fr. Jaya served in Renton and Grays Harbor County from 2018-2023 before his R1 visa expired. Please note the new Sunday and daily Mass schedule for the family, as well as the new Confession schedule. The new schedule will become effective July 1st, although there will be no daily Masses on July 1st and 2nd as the priests move. Masses for July 4th will be celebrated according to the normal weekly schedule at Mary Queen of Peace and Our Lady of Sorrows. Other updates to the regular calendars will be forthcoming, including adoration.

FAQ: If I start attending Mass at a different parish in the family, what happens with my donations?

If you give online, your donations will go to whichever parish you set up the giving with. If you give by envelope, you can drop your envelope off at any Mass at any parish in the family, and it will be deposited to your home parish designated by the envelope. This is yet another benefit of online giving - saving the time and work of transferring envelopes and funds to the correct parishes. Mailing your donation has this benefit as well. If you give by loose cash or check, the donation will go to the parish you attend Mass at, or whichever parish is stated on the check. It is only because of the generous support of parishioners that we are able to offer the ministries that we do, growing together as disciples of Christ.

New Pastor Assignments - Partners in the Gospel

Archbishop Paul Etienne and the Priest Personnel Board just released the Official Appointments, including pastors, parochial vicars, and other assignments! This was after several months of consultation with priests, deacons, staff, and parishioners from around the archdiocese. New assignments will go into effect July 1, 2024. Click the image to find the list of pastoral leadership assignments!


Our Lady of Sorrows is in Family #28.

St. Anthony of Padua is in Family #25.

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