Hasta la vista . . .  Well, old soldiers--and old airmen--never die, they just fade away. Thank you so much for all your kind and generous support during my time here as your pastor. I was so happy that Bishop Daly asked me to return to south Stevens County in November 2017 after having served as interim priest in 2012 after Fr. Vincent Nguyen had his accident. I feel we got a lot accomplished during my brief time--the sale of rectory in Valley; the opening of a new rectory in Chewelah on short notice (only possible because of your overnight generosity in donating furniture, appliances and housewares that allowed me to move in right away); the sale of the old school (which had been such a financial drain) and the prospect of a restored building with shopping and dining; and a new stove, window coverings, and carpeting in St. Mary's Parish Hall. All of this is thanks to you and your generous gifts of your time and various talents. I know Fr. Ishida is going to be very happy here as I was because our parish communities are powered by people like yourselves who anticipate needs without me having had to ask--the folks who cook and provide wonderful meals for grieving families after funerals, Lenten "Soup & Bread" dinners, and our Community meals; our gardeners who care for the Rosary Garden and the grounds around the Church and rectory; our teachers, lectors, eucharistic ministers, altar servers of all ages, sacristans, musicians, cantors, and choir members, and the men and women who volunteer to keep our churches squeaky clean. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And if I've forgotten anyone--thank YOU! As for me, I'm going into quasi-retirement. Maryknoll has asked to return to development - fund raising - work which will entail me flying around the U.S. to speak at parishes about Maryknoll's work. This will be primarily in the summer. As for now this is on hold due to COVID restrictions. In the meantime I will be living in Spokane except for the winter when I plan being in Bradenton, Florida where most of my family lives.  I have offered to do fill-ins for Spokane Diocese when I'm in town so you may very well see me in the future. Till then, thank you again for letting me serve you. Be assured of my prayers and I hope you'll keep me in yours.

Blessings,
Fr. Steve Booth, MM

Fr. Booth will be retiring Tuesday and to honor him with a nice farewell, everyone is invited to send him a “Spiritual Bouquet.” Spiritual Bouquets are prayers or devotional  acts that someone has or will offer for someone else. It can be given from an individual or group to an individual or group to express joy, sorrow or best wishes, often in commemoration of a special occasion. The recipient is given a card or something similar indicating who the giver is and what the spiritual bouquet consists of. This can be the number of Masses attended, Holy Communions offered, rosaries  and/or other prayers said, or good deeds performed. It should include the sender’s  name and the number of times each offering was or will be done, and it may also include the dates. You can mail them to PO Box 26, Chewelah, WA 99109.