He held me up when I could barely stand

When I came to Holy Rosary, I was 7 months pregnant & had strayed many years ago from God.

Shortly after I joined the parish, my first born son Samuel was born still. Not only was I devastated by a tragedy that I could not begin to understand, I was very angry at the God I had longed to find again. Father Sarkies came to my side & held me up when I could barely stand. My family was embraced not only by him but by the church community. Father Sarkies taught me what grace was and worked with me through my anger. His love and understanding led me to find grace that I was desperately searching for. My husband had never stepped into a church before this & he began to attend from time to time. He always wanted to be sure to see Father when he attended. Since our tragedy, I became a catholic and this is all part and parcel to Father Sarkies loving hand that he held out to me so many years ago.

I am deeply saddened to see a man who has done so many wonderful things for so many people suffer. Our father in heaven is weeping. Lord bring him back to our parish where he belongs.

-Jodie Underwood

I did not always agree with Fr. Sarkies

I did not always agree with Fr. Sarkies. Which is a good thing--you think more about things when you disagree. Sometimes I had some sleepless nights thinking about homily topics, or the From the Pastor's Desk, or the Progress Columns.

Whether I agreed or disagreed with him, I believed, and still do believe, in the basic integrity and good in the man.

I am a bit of a clam around authority figures, so I doubt I ever spoke more than a sentence to him in person. But in my mind I certainly had some long discussions! At last night's "Town Meeting" I had a bit of a start when the priest referred to Father Sarkies as "Father Jeff." There is an air of natural dignity about the man, and "Father Jeff" gave me a bit of a giggle. I cannot ever fathom walking up to Father Sarkies, slapping him on the back, and saying, "What's happenin' Father Jeff?"

I certainly do not believe in the charges against him. I would sooner believe in flying monkeys, or the earth reversing its rotation.

-Gina Terrana

A Peaceful Community

My husband and I were encouraged and excited when we joined Holy Rosary Parish because of the sense of community we felt. After being a part of the parish a while, we began to understand that Fr. Sarkies was responsible for that peaceful community feel.

He touched and lightened our life when he baptized our daughter. I am saddened that my daughter will not be able to grow up with Fr. Sarkies in the parish. I hope the peaceful community he built will remain in his absence. He will be missed.

-Molly Woodruff

I will miss you!

I had fallen away from the church about 25 years ago, but began bringing my elderly mother to Holy Rosary when she moved to the area. She has always been a faithful Catholic. Slowly, I began to remember why being Catholic had previously been a source of pride for me. I started attending mass again for my own sake as well as for my mother's sake. Father Sarkies is one big reason I have decided to return to the Church.

Thank you, Father Sarkies, for reminding me what it means to be a Catholic again. I won't soon forget. Thanks to your kind manner, meaningful sermons, and unmistakable caring for everyone, I have now returned to the fold. I will miss you!

-Kathy A. Cochran

Searching for Fr. Sarkies' Progress articles

In the parish meeting on Tuesday evening, March 21, there were some questions on how to find Fr. Sarkies’ articles in the Progress archives. The Chancery staff themselves even admitted that it was not easy.
Our technique is not comprehensive but it will find around 50 of Fr. Sarkies’s articles.

1. Go to http://www.seattlearch.org/progress
   
   


2. Click on the “Search Progress” link on the upper left hand column.


3. Enter “Sarkies” as your search word.


4. Click the “Search Progress Archives” checkbox. If you don’t check this, the search will only be conducted on the current issue of the Progress.


5. Start your search!

Packing up the dreams

Packing up the dreams God's given


In the fertile soil of you


Can't believe the hopes He's given


Means a chapter in our lives is through






But we'll keep you close as always


It won't even seem you've gone


'Cause our hearts in big and small ways


Will keep the love that keeps us strong





Friends are friends forever


If the lord's the lord of them


And a friend will not say never


'Cause a welcome will not end


Though it's hard to let you go


In the Fathers hands we know


That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends. (Michael W. Smith)

Thanks Father for your many many gifts...

- Kristen Hinthorn

Honoring Fr. Sarkies

Fr. Sarkies came into my life in a time when the hurt in my heart was unbearable. I was notified of the dead of my Dad a few hours prior to Mass. My husband had eye surgery 3 days before. I felt I could not fly over 2000 miles and leave him alone, so my heart was broken beyond.

As I stood in Holy Rosary listening to Fr. Sarkies proclaim the word of God with such a passion, with such clarity, and love, I felt that He was talking just to me, He lifted up my spirits, through Him, the Lord give me His peace....

-Lupe Farkas

A Moment in Turmoil

In July of 1998 my brother Terry Nolan was killed suddenly in a car accident on Blewett Pass. He was 44 years old. Terry was married with two small children.


My family is extremely tight knit and as I am one of four brothers and a sister, needless to say his passing was devastating. Father Sarkies presided over my brother's funeral, which for various reasons was held at Sacred Heart in Bellevue. I drove Father over to Bellevue and in that short 30 minute drive Father Sarkies literally saved my life. He reminded me of God's love for us all and that my brother's passing, while it was absolutely unbearable and unbelievable, was all in God's hands. And that I would need to stand strong within my own faith, for I would come to know my brother again in God's kingdom.


My family and I all owe a great debt to Father Sarkies. He is, and always will be in our thoughts and prayers. His love and spiritual guidance for us has helped to frame the love and caring that now exists within our own family.


God bless you Father Sarkies.

-Kevin Nolan

I went to Holy Rosary School...

I went to Holy Rosary School not more than nine years ago. As an adolescent, I found Fr. Sarkies sermons to be touching, informative and enticing at such a young age. As an adult now, I find myself reflecting back on past sermons and speeches made by Fr. Sarkies and remembering what he taught me; what he taught all of us. I am saddened by his dismissal, but behind every darkened cloud there is a silver lining. Now is the time to show Fr. Sarkies how he has touched each of our lives, young and old. It does not matter to me why he won’t be with us any longer, it is not for us to judge; that’s God’s job. Father, I hope you find peace in your heart and continue spread the news by your actions. I encourage everyone to let the matter be and focus on supporting our beloved pastor and celebrating the peace and harmony he instilled in our community. God Bless you Father, and know that your words will continue to ring peace in all of our hearts. Thank you.

-Christina Hentgen

Share your positive memories of Fr. Sarkies

We welcome comments and photos from parishioners and friends of Father Sarkies. Posting is easy. Here are three easy ways:

1. Just scroll down to the "email us" link, click and type or paste your comments or attach your photos.


2. Send mail directly to: honoringdidymus[at]gmail.com.


3. Click on "comments" under a post and write your comments.

Please note that this blog is meant to celebrate the extraordinary life of service lived by Father Jeffrey Sarkies. This is blog of hope and for healing. We will post positive comments only with or without attribution (your preference). Comment sections are moderated and comments will be screened. All positive comments, memories, ideas and photos will be posted.

God bless.

A Culture of Ideas

As a Catholic for more than 40 years, I have never seen a priest more prolific in disseminating profound ideas as Father Sarkies. From his weekly column in the Catholic Progress to his essays and elocutions in the weekly bulletin, he consistently addressed the big questions of our faith in a profound way. I personally know of four people whom Father brought to Christ. Undoubtedly, there were many more.

Father often said that Jesus calls us not just to live the Gospel, but the spread The Good News. In my life as a Catholic, I have never met another who met this calling as effectively as Father Sarkies.

-Bill Jeakle

What I Like Most...

What I like most about Fr. Sarkies is that he prays with us, he loves us and he creates peace. Oh and he’s nice too! I miss you!

Love, Maxwell Ridgeway (6years old)

Touching Our Lives

Father Sarkies has touched many lives, young and old, in his 40 years as a priest. He baptized my son, gave my daughter her first communion and has ministered to my aging mother. I am truly bewildered that a man of such kindness and compassion can no longer be with us. I pray that I can let go of my anger and look ahead, following Father Sarkies’ own example as a true servant of Christ.


He was integral in rebuilding the Holy Rosary Church interior, following the fire of 1997. Once again, our church and community will need to rise from the ashes, but I believe that he has instilled, in all of us, the faith and strength to take on the challenge. The heart and spirit of Holy Rosary Church and school will be with him forever.


"Only in God is my soul at rest, in him comes my salvation...my strong-hold, my Savior, I shall not be moved." Only In God by John Michael Talbot, based on Psalm 62.

-Name withheld by request

Inclusion

I served on the Parish Council with Father Sarkies for five years, and was constantly amazed at his desire to reach out to those less fortunate. He made a point of insisting that the parish be accessible to the disabled. He insisted on hearing devices. He sought more minorities. When a minority gay couple with adopted children sought a safe harbor to educate their children, he requested that accommodations be made to see that their children find an education at Holy Rosary. He often spoke of the radical power of the message of Jesus, using the original sense of the word radical, meaning root. To get to the root of the message of Jesus was his life's work.

Candles & Flowers

We'd like to past on this message:

Tomorrow morning (Tuesday, March 14) a few of us plan on leaving candles and notes of support for Fr. Sarkies on the steps of the church. I'm hoping that by the end of the week we have a large offering of love and support for a man who has helped all of us grow and become closer to God. He deserves much more than a silent dismissal. Please pass this message on.

Welcome to the Honoring Didymus Blog

Father Sarkies wrote as Didymus--Thomas, twin, the doubter, the apostle struggling with his faith. But that struggle illuminated the glory of the Catholic faith for all of us. His essays were rich and varied. His ideas were compassionate and complex. His faith was profound. We are all richer for having had the light of Father Sarkies ahead of us in this dark night, and now we will struggle to find our way without him.

This website has been created to celebrate the positive influence of Father Jeffrey Sarkies. We welcome your stories, photos, and happy memories of his powerful influence on Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle.