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. Randy Guarino
Fr. Randy Guarino, Fr. Randy as he is fondly called by parishioners is originally from the Philippines. He was born and grew up in Masbate but continued his seminary formation (Philosophy)in Capiz and (Theology) in Iloilo, Philippines respectively. He comes from a big family of ten, five boys and five girls. He lost his mother after three years of being ordained as a priest and a sister just this June 2025. He was ordained Deacon on March 19, 2004 at Our Lady of Candles, Metropolitan Cathedral in Jaro, Iloilo, Philippines and to the priesthood on November 15, 2004 at the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral in Roxas City, Capiz. Philippines.
Fr. Randy first assignment in Seattle was at Sacred Heart in Lacey as a parochial vicar in from July 2019-February 2021. From February 2021- June 2021, he took the interim priest administrator position at Our Lady, Star of the Sea in Port Townsend. On July 1 2021, he was assigned as the priest administrator of the Olympic Peninsula parishes covering St. Joseph in Sequim, Queen of Angels in Port Angeles, St. Anne in Forks and The Mission Church of St. Thomas, the Apostle in Clallam Bay. His assignments also include special ministries for Schools, Hospitals and Bureau of Corrections. As a professional high school teacher Fr. Randy loves to take part in the formation of the young and help them become agents of social transformation through quality Catholic Education. Fr. Randy has earned his master’s degree on Education Management and Leadership at Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. After his visa expired in 2024, he went back to the Philippines for a year and while he was back home, he took and finished the course on Spiritual Direction and Accompaniment at the Ateneo de Manila University, Manila, Philippines. Please include him in your daily prayers as he generously shares his God given gifts in the service of God and His people here in the Archdiocese of Seattle.
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.
