About Saint Joseph [Melkite] · Seattle, Washington
Saint Joseph is a Middle Eastern Melkite Catholic mission serving the Seattle, Washington area, currently affiliated with the Greek-Melkite Diocese of Newton (which oversees Melkite faithful across the United States). Founded in November 2001, it gathers primarily Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, and Jordanian faithful — along with American friends and relatives — for the celebration of the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in their own language and tradition. The mission does not yet own its own church building and currently celebrates Sunday Divine Liturgy at 12:00 PM at Saint Thomas More Roman Catholic Chapel in Lynnwood, WA, while fundraising to acquire or build a permanent home. The parish's motto, "Unity of Christians Under One God," reflects its openness to Melkite, Maronite, and Orthodox Christians worshiping together.
- Established
- 2001
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Father Samir Abu Lail
- Diocese
- Greek-Melkite Diocese of Newton (located within the territory of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle)
Why belong here
Saint Joseph is one of the very few places in the Pacific Northwest where Middle Eastern Christians — Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, Jordanian, and their American neighbors — can worship together in the Byzantine Divine Liturgy celebrated in their own language and tradition. It is a small, family-oriented mission where parishioners of different Eastern Catholic and Orthodox backgrounds share one altar, raise their children in the faith, and serve neighbors in need through the Agape Kitchen. Joining or visiting means becoming part of an intentionally ecumenical parish family that is also actively building for its future, with fundraising underway for a permanent church home.
Mass times at Saint Joseph [Melkite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before or after the Divine Liturgy, or by appointment
Our Mission
Saint Joseph is an Eastern Syriac Catholic mission founded in November 2001, originally affiliated with the Maronite, Melkite, and Orthodox traditions. Its parish family is largely of Lebanese descent, joined by Syrians, Palestinians, Jordanians, and their American friends and relatives. After its founding priest was relocated to Cleveland, the Greek-Melkite Diocese of Newton assumed pastoral responsibility for the community. Today the mission's motto — "Unity of Christians Under One God" — captures its intentionally ecumenical character: one church family in Christ Jesus, regardless of background.
- Founded November 2001
- Originally under Maronite jurisdiction (Archdiocese of Our Lady of Lebanon, Los Angeles)
- Now under the Greek-Melkite Diocese of Newton
- Parishioners of Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, and Jordanian descent
Pastoral Leadership
Father Samir Abu Lail has served as administrator of Saint Joseph Mission since October 2006. In his welcome message he writes: "We want everyone regardless of their background to grow up with us as one family, and share our faith and our goals. May God bless you all." The parish is contacted through his mailing address in Lynnwood, WA.
- Father Peter Karam — founding priest (2001 – c.2005)
- Father Charles Kattan — appointed December 2005, served about nine months
- Father Samir Abu Lail — appointed administrator October 2006, present
Sunday Divine Liturgy and Services
Saint Joseph currently celebrates the Byzantine (Melkite) Divine Liturgy on Sundays at 12:00 PM. Because the mission does not yet own its own church building, the Liturgy is hosted at Saint Thomas More Roman Catholic Chapel, 6511 176th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037. The sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and Confession are all arranged by appointment, with required advance notice.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 12:00 PM at St. Thomas More Chapel, Lynnwood
- Confession — before or after the Liturgy, or by appointment
- Baptism — by appointment, minimum 1 month notice
- Marriage — by appointment, minimum 3 months notice
- Feast-day Liturgies — as announced in the church bulletin
Saint Joseph Agape Kitchen
Agape Kitchen is the mission's flagship community-service ministry. Volunteers from the parish prepare and serve a full hot meal twice a month, between 2:00 and 6:00 PM, at the Compass Center in downtown Seattle (210 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98125). The Saturday Dinner typically feeds between 70 and 120 individuals and families experiencing homelessness or hardship throughout the Seattle area. The ministry is explicitly non-proselytizing — service is offered to all regardless of sex, color, ethnicity, or religious belief.
- Two meals served every month, 2:00–6:00 PM
- Hosted at Compass Center, 210 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98125
- Serves 70–120 guests per dinner
- Open to all; no religious participation required
Building for the Future
A central long-term goal of Saint Joseph Mission is to acquire or build its own church facility — at present the community worships in a borrowed Roman Catholic chapel. Fundraising toward this goal is ongoing through pledges and parish social activities, and Father Samir has repeatedly framed the building project as something achievable only through "the generosity, kindness, dedication and hard work of our parishioners."
- No parish-owned church building
- Fundraising ongoing through pledges and social events
- Future goal: dedicated facility for the growing mission
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Saint Joseph Mission by mail, telephone, or email. The mailing address for the pastor is in Lynnwood, WA, and Sunday Liturgy takes place at Saint Thomas More Roman Catholic Chapel in Lynnwood. Online inquiries — including those about website issues or online donations — can be directed to the administrators' email address.
- Church email: [email protected]
- Priest email: [email protected]
- Website / donations email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 425-742-4441 (also listed 206-362-2519)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Peter Karam2001 – c.2005
Founding priest; served under the Maronite Archdiocese of Our Lady of Lebanon (Los Angeles); later relocated to Cleveland, Ohio.
- Father Charles KattanDecember 2005 – c.September 2006
Appointed after the Melkite Diocese of Newton took pastoral responsibility; served approximately nine months.
- Father Samir Abu LailOctober 2006 – present
Appointed administrator of the mission; continues to lead the community and its fundraising efforts to acquire a permanent church building.