Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain, center, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, left, and Alexander J Brunett prepare for the recessional during Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass at St. James Cathedral in Seattle Saturday Dec. 10, 2011.

I photographed the Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass at St. James Cathedral. Simbang Gabi is a series of masses leading up to Christmas Eve celebrated by Roman Catholic Filipinos. Parols suspended from the ceiling of St. James Cathedral. Participants also bring parols as part the commissioning mass. Another colorful event. I also captured a nice imag, below, behind the scenes in the sacrisity as the Archbishop and other prepared for Mass. More pictures can be found after the break.

Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain, second from left, Bishop Alexander J Brunett, center, and Bishop Eusebio Elizondo before Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass at St. James Cathedral in Seattle Saturday Dec. 10, 2011.

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Three-year-old Emma Cox helps her father Specialist Scott Cox of the 47th Combat Support Hospital, 62nd Medical Brigade after a redeployment ceremony December 6, 2011 upon returning to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington from Iraq. The return marks one of last large groups of soldiers and last charter flight to return to the base from Iraq.

The chartered aircraft carrying soldiers returning from Iraq arrived at Joint Base Lewis McChord this week. The remaining troops will return via commercial airliners. We covered the troops as the got off the plane and wen through processing and when the were redeployed and reunited with their families. As always, I cannot imagine being away from my family for as long as these soliders did, and have enormous respect for their commitment. It was also a bit eerie to think there will be no more deployments or homecomings from Iraq after about eight years. Here are some pictures with more after the break.

Soldiers from the 520th Medical Company, 1-94 Field Artillery Regiment and 47th Combat Support Hospital deplane after returning December 6, 2011 to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The return marks one of last large groups of soldiers and last charter flight to return to the base from Iraq.

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Traditional dancers wait to perform durinng a reception following the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at St. James Cathedral in Seattle Saturday Dec. 3, 2011. (PHOTO by Stephen Brashear)

I have the privilege of photographing the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which included a Rosary at St. Mary’s Church, a procession to St. James Cathedral and a reception. Our Lady of Gaudalupe is the Virgin Mary, who is Patroness of Americas, Empress of Latin America and Protectress of the Unborn Children. My two favorite pictures, above and below, happened behind the scenes while dancers were waiting to perform. The colorful costumes from different cultures throughout the Americas made for a target-rich environment. Not to mention the backdrop of St. James Cathedral. More pictures after the break.

Rosary during Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Mary's Church in Seattle Saturday Dec. 3, 2011. (PHOTO by Stephen Brashear)

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