Every year around this time I look forward to seeing who is going to be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese. This year there will only be one ordained. His name is Jose Alvarez. He will be ordained on June 9th at the Cathedral. Next year there will not be any priests ordained for the Archdiocese. But after that, there is a steady stream of those who will be ordained. It is a far cry from my day when I was ordained. There were eleven of us ordained that year. That was the biggest class for the Archdiocese up to that time. Three years later there was a class of 15 or so ordained. But times have changed. We are lucky that we have a good number of seminarians who are studying to be ordained for the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Most of my class are now retired or are inactive. One died this past year. Besides myself there is one other who is still an active pastor and another who is a parochial vicar in a parish. Those who are retired but still active are helping out in parishes. Fr. Angelovic is one of those. We are getting old. When we get together we talk about our latest physical ailments and reminisce about the good old days in the seminary and our early priesthood. Sounds like an old folk’s home. Keep us in your prayers and pray for vocations for all the ministries of the Church.
...Fr. Dick
QUO VADIS DAYS
Attention all Catholic young men ages 13-18! Do you know where your life is going? The Lord Jesus has a great plan for you! You are invited to attend Quo Vadis Days camp to spend time with other young men your age looking at the Lord’s call in your life while having a great time. QVD is led by priests and seminarians of the Archdiocese and is supported by the Archdiocesan Office of Vocations. QVD will be held from Sunday, June 24-Wednesday, June 27 at Camp Don Bosco near Carnation, WA. The cost of the camp will be covered by the Serra Club and the Knights of Columbus. Check us out at www.qvdays.org if you are interested. All registration is online!
Administration and Stewardship
From the Desk Of John Eisen
(206) 242-4575 ext.15
ADMINISTRATION:
Growing an Engaged Church News
Parish Expectations Project: With the survey results, the Expectation Committee will form a draft of expectations. The draft will be presented to the Pastoral Council at its June meeting. Before they are ratified, in the fall, parish leadership and parishioners will give feedback to them.
Living your Strengths and Spirituality- Two members of the Engagement Leadership Team are on retreat this weekend with Sr. Joyce Cox. The retreat focus is making connection between living our strengths and our spirituality.
Safe Environment Program:
Called to Protect for Ministries: This is reminder that parish volunteers must take the renewal online class every year. Questions? Email me, .
Safe Environment Program Requirement: We are grateful to those volunteers who are taking the time to meet SEP archdiocesan requirements. If you have received notice about these requirements, please take care of them as soon as possible. For those who still need to take the renewal class, the web link is http://seattle.setanet.org/obligations.php. The web link for SEP policies and Church Personnel Sign-Off form is here. Thank you!
Hospitality Committee– Based on engagement principles, provides opportunities for new members to connect with our parish. If you would like to be part of this ministry, please contact John, 206.242.4575X15.
ST. FRANCIS PARISH OFFICE PHONE SYSTEM- If you wish to leave a message when we are not open, please press the star key (*) and the number 8 and then the extension. For example, to reach the receptionist, you would press *810. Remember, the office is closed from 12:00-12:30 for lunch. Ext. numbers are on inside of bulletin cover.
Stewardship of Treasure:
Sunday Gifts :
Year to Date Goal $820,627
Year to Date Actual $819,287
Over (under) $ (1,340)
Sunday Gifts for May 12/13 $ 17,466
May weekly Average Goal $ 16,720
Thank you to all who financially support the parish!
2012 Annual Catholic Appeal - click here to give. Your Gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal is still needed. Thank you to all who have responded to the needs of our Church in Western WA through the 2012 Appeal. One person or parish could not possibly accomplish all that needs to be done for over 60 ministries and services of the Appeal. Your gift, no matter the amount, WILL MAKE a difference! It is not too late to return your pledge envelope; if we all give, imagine what can be accomplished!
ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL REPORT*
Pledges: 306 Goal: 500
Dollars: $76,258 Goal: $122,000 *Figures are based on pledges turned in at Mass, online gifts, & Arch. ACA report dated 5/10/12.
Online Giving: QuanComm, that handles our credit card and EFT transactions, has set up the online giving option. By going here, you will see online giving under the menu on the left side of the screen. When you highlight it, just follow the instructions.
Sunday gifts by EFT and Credit Carders: We encourage you to check your statements to make sure that these transactions are taking place.
Sunday Giving via credit cards, EFT and Online giving: The parish has taken steps to increase security of our parishioners’ credit card and EFT information which will exceed federal requirements.
Planned Giving: Learn about creative ways to support your parish and parish school. Please see the Archdiocesan Planned Giving web site.
-You don’t have to be wealthy to make a significant gift
-Help extend our Mission for the good of future generations
This Week @ St. Francis
AAAA May 18-20, 2012
Friday May 18
Mass, Church, 9AM
Field Day, SFS, 8AM
CYO, Gym, 4PM
Sunday May 20
Mass, Church, 8AM
Mass/Baptism, 10AM
K of C Baby Shower, UP1, 11AM
Private Potluck, Par. Hall, Noon-3PM
Life Teen Music Team, Church, 3:30PM
Life Teen Mass, 5PM
Life Teen Mtg., Parish Hall, 6PM
Adult Volleyball, Gym, 6:30PM
Sunday May 27 PENTECOST!
Mass, Church, 8 & 10 AM
Life Teen Music Team, Church, 3:30PM
Life Teen Mass, 5PM
Life Teen Mtg., Parish Hall, 6PM
Adult Volleyball, Gym, 6:30PM
Important Events
The Gift of Holiness: Living a Dynamic Catholic Life The conference will be held on Saturday, May 19th, at Kennedy Catholic High School, in Burien, WA. The day will consist of Mass with Archbishop Sartain, several “dynamic” talks by well-loved local priests, Eucharistic Adoration, praying the Rosary, opportunities to go to Confession, and so much more. We won’t just hear about “The Gift of Holiness”, we’ll experience it ourselves! My Catholic Faith Ministries 866-267-4113
St. Stephen the Martyr parish invites you to Breath of Aire choir on Friday, May 25, 7PM to benefit Terrific Tuesday meals for homeless persons. Free will offering. 13055 SE 192nd St, Renton.
St. Bernadette Seniors invite St. Francis seniors to luncheon on May 29 at 909 in Burien, at 11:30. If you wish to play Bingo, please bring a wrapped item. A date to remember is July 4th for a potluck.
SHEILA KEATON’S RETIREMENT PARTY Please join us in celebrating Sheila Keaton’s 25 years of
dedication to the St. Francis community. We will have a retirement party for her on Sunday, June 3rd from 1:00 – 5:00 pm in Unity Place. Treats and Refreshments will be served, the entire family is invited! Please feel free to invite alumni from St. Francis School and Parish.
Recurring Events
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER - Jesus commands us to love one another as he loved us. Attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend and receive the tools needed to truly love one another – to love your spouse as God calls you to. Deepen your communication, strengthen your relationship, rekindle your romance and renew your sacrament by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend, June 8-10 in Seattle.
Information: www.SeattleWWME.org or call (206) 772-2344 (Seattle/Bellevue); www.mrwwme.org or call 253-859-9174 (Centralia).
Marriage Encounter Mission Statement:
Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s mission of renewal in the Church and change in the world is to assist couples and priests to live fully intimate and responsible relationships by providing them with a Catholic “experience” and ongoing community support for such a lifestyle.
Marriage Encounter can help strengthen your marriage/Holy Orders by helping to bring you closer to your spouse/people and to the Lord. For information and dates, contact Mike and Marge P. at (206) 772-2344,
Marriage Help – Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi) has helped tens of thousands of couples at all stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage. This program can help you too. Call 206-706-2608 or visit our website at www.helpourmarriage.com
Scripture Readings for next week
May 27, 2012
8th Sunday of Easter PENTECOST
Reading I: Acts 2: 1-11
Reading II: I Cor 123b-7, 12-13
Gospel: Jn 20: 19-23
Music Ministries
Music can express the whole range of human emotions, speaks to the heart and mind, is very powerful, and reaches out in ways that words alone cannot. Therefore, we believe that music is an integral part of not only the liturgical life of the parish, but also of its spiritual, catechizing, evangelizing, social, and outreach ministries. Our songs do not stop at the church doors. They provide a vocabulary to make Eucharistic thanksgiving all day long and all life long- music is transformative and life changing at St. Francis.
Thanks to all of those who serve as music ministers- your contributions of time, talent and commitment and dedication are a real blessing to all at St. Francis. Thank you for giving of yourselves and enriching all of our lives-you are a priceless treasure and gift.
We, at St. Francis, are so blessed to have such amazing and committed singers and instrumentaists to help lead us in worship!!! Thank you to all of you who give so willingly of your time, talent and commitment!! Take the time to stop one of them and say thanks!!!
----The 8:00 choir prepares music and leads worship for the Sunday 8:00 am mass. This group rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:30 pm until 9:00 p.m in the choir loft of the church.
As the 8:00 a.m. mass is a traditional mass with organ, traditional as well as some alternative style music is prepared and enhances worship at the 8:00 a.m mass twice a month. There are many fringe benefits- weekly backrubs, great camaraderie and guaranteed seating!!! In September, the rehearsals will be changing from Wednesday nights to Thursdays from 5:45 until 7:15 p.m.
-----The 10:00 ensemble leads worship with a mixture of alternative style, contemporary and traditional music at the 10:00 a.m mass on Sunday mornings. The same music is also presented at the 5:00 p.m. vigil mass on Saturdays.
-------The LifeTeen music team is the music team that leads the LifeTeen mass on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. The rehearsal is from 3:45 p.m.until 5 pm in the church just prior to the LifeTeen mass at 5 p.m. Contemporary Christian music is the musical style of this mass. Come check us out!
---------The 'Singing Angels' kids choir leads the 5:00 p.m. Saturday vigil mass. Thanks to all of the parents and singers!!!!!!! This year the choir will be singing at the vigil mass at 5:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month (April 2012 which will be the 4th Sunday). Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. in the church.
Should you have any questions, please contact David Kellogg in the parish office or at 206-242-4575, ext. 33 or at .
CYO ATHLETICS AT ST. FRANCIS WELCOMES ALL BOYS AND GIRLS WHO ARE PARISH MEMBERS AND/OR STUDENTS AT ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL. We offer soccer and cross-country in the fall, basketball and volleyball in the winter, and baseball and track/field in the spring. Information on current and upcoming programs is posted in our church and school bulletins and here.Questions: please contact our Athletic Director, Kati at . We would love to have your children participate and be a part of our Catholic Youth Organization Athletics!
CYO Soccer Registration is now open for boys and girls grades K – 8. Children who are parish members and/or attend our school are eligible to participate. If you are interested in coaching a CYO team next fall, please contact Kati at . Forms and the link to online registration are here. Fee for grades 1 - 8 is $75. Fee for Kindergarten Soccer is $50. Registration closes June 11th.
Congratulations to our CYO 7/8th grade baseball team for making the playoffs! Next game is the semifinal vs. Holy Rosary Seattle AT St. Luke Field on Sunday, May 20th at noon. GO EAGLES!
The CYO All Comers Track/Field Meet is next Saturday, May 19th at 10:00 AM. The Individual Championship is also Saturday, May 19th at Noon. Both events are at SW Complex. At these meets CYO Athletics is collecting non-perishable food items for the Food Bank at St. Mary's. Bins will be stationed at the top of the stands. Thank you for your generosity.
CYO Coaches – Annually we are responsible for taking the Safe Environment online refresher course by May 31st. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
COACH AS YOUTH MINISTER
In viewing sports as ministry, it is important that the coach see him/herself as minister, in response to the baptismal call. Not because coaches are required to speak profoundly on theological concepts or Catholic Church doctrine, but because they must help create the environment in which these are valued and lived out. One of the coach’s greatest responsibilities is to lead the team in creating a positive culture for Christian values and compassionate competition. Adherence to these is critical to the development of the individual and the team. In order to create this culture, coaches must be willing to incorporate the “Play Like a Champion Today” approach into their coaching practice.
It was St. Francis of Assisi who said, “Preach Always. Use words if necessary”. It is an age-old truth that what we do says so much more than the words we speak. This is particularly important in regard to our young people who look for congruency in what we tell them to do and how we act ourselves.
Our young people see and remember how we react to a poor call by an official; they witness our integrity and compassion when it is time for our least skilled player to get in the game; and they experience our response and perspective when we come up on the short end on the scoreboard.
Being a Champion is not based on the results on the scoreboard. Coaches need to be prepared to redefine success for themselves, the players and their parents. Ask the questions: Are you a good coach if your team wins a trophy? Are you a bad coach if your team doesn’t? Are players good if they win and bad if they lose? Being a Champion Coach is empowering individuals and teams to maximize their potential. Being a Champion Athlete is reflected in how personal and team growth occur in performance and how they carry themselves within the experience, not whether they have more points or a faster time than someone else at the end of the day.
Parent/Spectator Code of Conduct. Let’s all remember:
• That the players are youth and are playing for their enjoyment, not yours.
• To remain seated in the spectator area during all contests.
• To respect decisions made by contest officials.
• Be a role model by positively supporting both teams and not by shouting instructions or criticism to the players, coaches, or officials. Please do not coach from the stands!
• Make no derogatory comments or gestures (including making noise to distract) to players, coaches, or fans of your own or the other team.
• Remember that adults set the example for the behavior of their team. If you see negative behavior, please try toappeal to their conscience at the appropriate time.
DO
• Cheer for your team.
• Show interest, enthusiasm, and support for your child.
• Be in control of your emotions.
• Help when asked by coaches or officials.
• Thank the coaches, officials, and other volunteers who conducted the event.
DO NOT
• Leave the spectator area during competitions.
• Advise the coach on how to coach.
• Try to coach your child during the contest.
• Make derogatory comments to players, parents, coaches, or officials of either team.
• Drink alcohol at contests or come to watch contests intoxicated.
Did you know that Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) athletic events are not scheduled on Sunday mornings so we can attend mass together as families?!
Prayer for Grade School/Middle School Sports
Creator God, As we prepare to play this (game/match), we ask your help and blessing that we may participate to the best of our abilities and with a true spirit of thankfulness so that our efforts give greater glory to you. We ask that you protect us from all injury and guide us in fair play. Help us to respect our opponents as they are our (sisters and/or brothers) also under Your Guidance.
For this we pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer for High School Sports from Knute Rockne:
Dear Lord, In the struggle that goes on through life
We ask for a field that is fair,
A chance that is equal with all the strife,
The courage to strive and to dare;
and if we should win, let it be by the code,
With our faith and our honor held high;
And if we should lose, let us stand by the road
And cheer as the winners go by.
Amen.
“To use the tools and techniques of sport and training to overcome the hurdles of life, to transcend, is the greatest gift a coach can give or an athlete can learn.”
—Susan Saint Sing Spirituality of Sport—Balancing Body and Soul.
Liturgy
Contact Elizabeth Hanks at 242-4575, ext. 25 or
email: ehanks@stfoa.org
Weekend Mass:
Saturday evening Vigil 5:00 pm.
Sunday morning 8:00 am & 10:00 am
Sunday Life Teen Mass 5:00 pm (October through mid-June).
The Rosary The popularity of the Rosary has been attributed to St. Dominic and the Dominican Order. It grew out of the laity’s desire to have 150 prayers to match the 150 psalms chanted by the monks in monasteries. The Rosary is a scripture-based prayer with the Mysteries centered on the events of Christ’s life. (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults) Join us during the month of May, after daily Mass, to pray the Rosary as a community.
Upcoming Liturgy Schedule
The Easter Season will continue until Pentecost
May 19th and 20th: Ascension of the Lord
May 26th and 27th: Pentecost As is our tradition we ask that you wear red clothing.
In the celebration of Mass we raise our hearts, minds and voices to God, but we are creatures composed of body as well as spirit and so our prayer is not confined to our minds, hearts and voices, but is expressed by our bodies as well. When our bodies participate in our prayer, we pray with our whole person, as the embodied spirits God created us to be, and this engagement of our entire being in prayer helps us to pray with greater attention.
During Mass we assume different postures: standing, kneeling, sitting, and we are also invited to make a variety of gestures. These postures and gestures are not merely ceremonial. They have profound meaning and, when done with understanding, can enhance our personal participation in Mass. In fact, these actions are the way in which we engage our bodies in the prayer that is the Mass.
Each posture we assume at Mass underlines and reinforces the meaning of the action in which we are taking part at that moment in our worship. Standing is a sign of respect and honor, so we stand as the celebrant who represents Christ enters and leaves the assembly. This posture, from the earliest days of the Church, has been understood as the stance of those who are risen with Christ and seek the things that are above. When we stand for prayer, we assume our full stature before God, not in pride, but in humble gratitude for the marvelous thing God has done in creating and redeeming each one of us. By Baptism we have been given a share in the life of God, and the posture of standing is an acknowledgment of this wonderful gift. We stand for the Gospel, the pinnacle of revelation, the words and deeds of the Lord; and the bishops of the United States have chosen standing as the posture to be observed in this country for the reception of Communion, the sacrament which unites us in the most profound way possible with Christ who, now gloriously risen from the dead, is the cause of our salvation.
The posture of kneeling signified penance in the early Church: the awareness of sin casts us to the ground! So thoroughly was kneeling identified with penance that the early Christians were forbidden to kneel on Sundays and during the Easter Season when the prevailing spirit of the liturgy was that of joy and thanksgiving. In the Middle Ages kneeling came to signify the homage of a vassal to his lord, and more recently this posture has come to signify adoration. It is for this reason that the bishops of this country have chosen the posture of kneeling for the entire Eucharistic Prayer.
Sitting is the posture of listening and meditation, so the congregation sits for the pre-Gospel readings and may also sit for the period of meditation following Communion.
In addition to serving as a vehicle for the prayer of beings composed of body and spirit, the postures and gestures in which we engage at Mass have another very important function. The Church sees in these common postures and gestures both a symbol of the unity of those who have come together to worship and a means of fostering that unity. We are not free to change these postures to suit our own individual piety, for the Church makes it clear that our unity of posture and gesture is an expression of our participation in the one Body formed by the baptized with Christ, our head. When we stand, kneel, sit, bow and sign ourselves in common action, we given unambiguous witness that we are indeed the Body of Christ, united in heart, mind and spirit.
Prayerfully consider being a Eucharistic Minister for the 5:00 PM Saturday Mass, 8:00 AM Sunday Mass, or a Sacristan for the 5:00 PM Sunday Mass. Call Elizabeth for details.
Volunteer to become more involved in the life of the parish as a:
Liturgical Minister, Altar server, Acolyte, Sacristan, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Usher/Greeter, Minister for cleaning the church, Minister for laundering small linens, Environment Minister. You will need to be a Confirmed Catholic to be a Eucharistic Minister or a Lector. Contact Elizabeth for more information.
Altar Servers and Acolytes serve God and his people by helping the priest during daily and Sunday Mass and other liturgical celebrations throughout the year. Any Catholic child, 7th grade and above may be an Altar Server and any High School student may be an Acolyte.
Care of Linen Ministry: These ministers wash and iron the small linens that are used during the Mass. This includes corporals, purificators and small towels. Linens are taken home after the last Sunday Mass or on Monday morning and returned Tuesday or Wednesday.
Church Cleaning Ministry: These ministers help keep our beautiful church tidy. Only about 30 minutes once a month is required. These volunteers work in teams of two or more, on Friday mornings to prepare for the weekend Masses. Responsibilities include: filling the Holy water, dusting and straightening the books in the pews.
Environment Ministers: Those working on the environment play an important role in the life of the church. They decorate the sanctuary and church for the liturgical seasons and Holy days. Their work reflects and supports the community in prayer and worship.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (Eucharistic Ministers): Lay ministers who help with the distribution of the Eucharist at Mass. To serve as a Eucharistic Minister you need to be Confirmed and actively participating in the Catholic Church’s Liturgical Life on a regular basis.
Lay Presider for Communion Service: The Lay presider prepares a reflection on the readings for the Wednesday Communion service and leads the Communion service.
Lectors proclaim the word of God to the assembly on weekend, weekday and Holy day liturgies. The Lector proclaims the first and second readings from the Sacred Scripture, the general intercessions and the announcements at the end of Mass. You will have a workbook provided to help you prepare for the upcoming readings.
Sacristans are responsible for unlocking and locking the church and setting up for Mass. Set up includes preparation of vessels, hosts and wine. Sacristans are scheduled to perform their duties for all Masses on weekdays, weekends and Holy days on a rotating schedule.
Ushers: The role of the ushers is to take up the collection, see that the Offertory gifts are brought to the altar, pass out the weekly bulletins and assist with other situations that might arise.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults If you are interested in becoming Catholic, or completing your Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist or you have been away from the church and are interested in coming back, RCIA might be your answer. Contact Elizabeth in the Parish Office, extension 25 for more information and to register for the classes. The RCIA process began its Inquiry period on Monday, August 22 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM in the Parish Hall.
The classes are on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 PM in the Parish Hall. If your child is 7 years or older and has not been Baptized, contact Cheryl Brooten, ext. 24 for information about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children process.
As this year’s Neophytes approach the end of the Mystagogia period, we congratulate our Neophytes (new members) and look forward to welcoming new Catechumens and Candidates into the Rite of Christian Initiation process.
Children's Programs
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC):
If you have a child you would like to have baptized at St. Francis of Assisi Parish who is over the age of seven (7), please contact Cheryl Brooten in the Parish office extension 24, or by email . After attending a series of classes, children over the age of seven receive all three sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation and First Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil.
Baptism is a sacrament of welcome into the community of Jesus Christ. The people of God with common faith take an active part in the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism, welcoming the newly baptized into the community of the Church.
2012 Baptisms and Pre-baptism Classes
Call Elizabeth for details and to sign up for a class.
Pre-Baptism Classes
The Pre- Baptism class is on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall.
The next Pre-Baptism class is scheduled for Wednesday, June 6th at 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall.
Baptisms
5:00 PM and 10:00 AM Masses Pre-Baptism Classes: June 6, 2012
Baptisms: May 19-20
June 16-17, 2012
If you are interested in having your child baptized, please contact Elizabeth in the Parish Office, extension 25 for more information and to sign up to attend a pre-baptism class.
Please consider being part of the Baptism Team The role of the Baptism Team member is to prepare the sanctuary for Baptisms by filling the font with water and placing the necessary items by the font. Baptism ministers welcome the family and direct them before and during the Baptism at Mass. Call Elizabeth for more details.
Vacation Bible School: Designed for children ages 4 through 10, Vacation Bible School is open to all children in the area. Programming focuses on presenting our faith in Jesus Christ in a dynamic and fun-filled format. Held in late July, Vacation Bible School runs for one week in the mornings. July 2012 Registration Form is available through this LINK.
Edge--Middle School Youth program:Edge is intended for sixth through eighth grade students and is held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Click on the Edge menu item to obtain more information.
Life Teen Mass: Sunday, 5:00 PM
(October through mid June)
Please prayerfully consider volunteering to be a liturgical minister for our Life Teen Mass at 5:00 PM
October through June.
Liturgical Ministers are needed
- Sacristan
- Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Ushers/Greeters
You need to be a Confirmed Catholic to be a Eucharistic Minister or a Lector. This is an opportunity to get more involved in the life of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Contact Elizabeth for more information.
What does a Sacristan do?
The Sacristans are responsible for unlocking and locking the church and setting up for Mass. Set-up includes preparation of vessels, hosts and wine. Sacristans are scheduled to perform their duties for all Masses on weekdays, weekends and Holy days. They perform other duties as required by the pastor. Sacristans may be called on to perform their duties on other occasions such as funerals. Weekend Sacristans are scheduled on a rotating basis and serve usually once or twice a month.
As part of both the Nicene and Apostles Creeds, we profess that we believe in the Holy Catholic Church. Actually, in the original Greek, the preposition “in” refers to the Holy Spirit, not the Church. “… we proclaim our faith not ‘in’ the Church but ‘about’ the Church—that is, in her existence, her supernatural reality, her unity, and her essential prerogatives. Here we profess that the Church is formed by Holy Spirit and that she is ‘his own proper work…’ The Church does not exist for herself, but for God.” To even begin the vast mystery of what we mean when we say ‘church’ will take some time. Today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is as good a starting point as any. Paul uses one of his favorite metaphors when he says the church is the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 1:22 or 4:12)
By body, Paul does not mean a corporate entity but a living, organic organism which includes anyone from any time who has ever been baptized into Christ. That the church, the Body of Christ, includes those who are no longer alive today has huge implications. We, the church of the 21st century, must still bear witness to and respect for the faith, beliefs and customs of all those who have gone before us. Their testimony, their virtue, their struggles form our roots and our foundation of faith. We ignore them at our own peril.
We need to remember this truth when we become frustrated and upset because all we can see is an archaic institution stuck in ages past. In Western culture, we are very much inclined, not towards humility, but towards wanting to assert our own version of reality. We often have too little respect for our ancestors or our history. But those who have gone before us still have voting rights in the Body of Christ. The democracy of the dead testifies to those beliefs that have preceded us. And in the future, our thoughts too will join the vast cacophony of voices that make up the Church. This is what makes the Church authentically catholic.
Quote taken from Henri de Lubac, The Splendor of the Church, 2 ed., translated by Michael Mason, San Francisco: Ignatius Press. 1999.
The Gift of Holiness: Living a Dynamic Catholic Life The conference will be held on Saturday, May 19th, at Kennedy Catholic High School, in Burien, WA. The day will consist of Mass with Archbishop Sartain, several “dynamic” talks by well-loved local priests, Eucharistic Adoration, praying the Rosary, opportunities to go to Confession, and so much more. We won’t just hear about “The Gift of Holiness”, we’ll experience it ourselves! My Catholic Faith Ministries 866-267-4113
Growing an Engaged Church News
Parish Expectations Project: With the survey results, the Expectation Committee will form a draft of expectations. The draft will be presented to the Pastoral Council at its June meeting. Before they are ratified, in the fall, parish leadership and parishioners will give feedback to them.
Living your Strengths and Spirituality- Two members of the Engagement Leadership Team are on retreat this weekend with Sr. Joyce Cox. The retreat focus is making connection between living our strengths and our spirituality.
LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS A unique code. A mysterious search. A quest for a treasure beyond price. All these things are in Living Your Strengths. In fact, they are actually inside you. They are inside every human being. Welcome to the code that will unravel the adventure you have been on since you were born-the adventure of life God gave each of us in the divine image.
LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS -Discipline
The blessing of your Discipline talent involves your level of personal productivity and the accuracy with which you produce things. This stems from the way you can structure tasks and your environment. You can take complex tasks with multiple stages and identify the steps needed to complete the tasks. Then, you structure the environment and organize the actions needed to complete the tasks. Finally, you begin organizing, reorganizing and structuring each action step that must be complete in order to produce things accurately. Then, you identify the fastest and most efficient methods while maintaining high quality. How do you use your Discipline strength in service of God and others? (1 staff member has this talent; can you guess who?)
Contemplative Prayer Group meets on the 4th Tuesday, May 22, at 7:00pm in the Conference Room. Starting in June, Centering Prayer group moves to the 1st and 4th Thursdays of the month. The next prayer session is June 7 at 7:00pm in the Conference Room.
Retreats at the Palisades
May 18-20 Strengths as Spiritual Life - Connecting our Greatest Talents to Our Faith & Ministry - Strengths Retreat Weekend - Sr. Joyce Cox, BVM and Kathy Clark
May 25-27 Pentecost Weekend Retreat - Faith Sharing Retreat for Men and Women. Presentations by Deacon Dave Jones & Anita Florence Register at
Spiritual direction is available by contacting Sr. Joyce Cox at Palisades Formation & Spiritual Direction: 206 748 7997.
“Why do you write in your column about all that political stuff?” one woman asked me. “Shouldn’t you be writing about religion?” My answer to that question is that I make no distinction between social justice and religion.
The Gospels are full of demands for justice as well as charity. The staff has been studying Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s book The Holy Longing. Rolheiser names the four essentials, the non-negotiables, of Christian discipleship: (a) private prayer and private morality; (b) social justice; (c) mellowness of heart and spirit; and (d) community as a constitutive element of true worship.
For the last century, since Pope Leo XIII’s social encyclical of 1870, the need to practice social justice has been growing as an important component of Catholic spirituality. Social justice, or its absence, helps define you as Catholic. However, save for a few exceptions, this imperative never lodged itself as centrally within the heart of Catholic spirituality as did the devotional and sacramental elements.
Social justice is by its nature controversial. We don’t all agree, even with the Bishops or the leading theologians of our time, on the best solutions to our social problems. Some ask why should the Church get involved in political issues like economics, poverty, universal health care, immigration and human rights? Why doesn’t the church stay where it is supposed to stay and teach us about faith, prayer, the Ten Commandments and the real things of religion? Isn’t social justice, after all, something that a small group of liberation theologians with their leftist hangups are trying to foist on the rest of the church? Or, on the other side of the coin, is opposition to social justice something that radical conservatives with their right- wing hang-ups are bracketing from Catholic spirituality? Both sides are wrong.
An imbalance can occur in the life of a very sincere and faith-filled person if he or she brackets something that is essential within the spiritual life. If social justice, a major component of Christian discipleship, is lacking in our lives, we don’t have a balance. Instead, we have a one-sided faith.
In my columns I present the thoughts of the Bishops and Christian theologians on social justice topics. I am not so much seeking agreement as I am seeking to provoke thought.
Rice Bowl: It was indeed a very good year. Contributions to the Lenten Rice Bowl program were $3,945. That was the result of the Friday Soup Suppers and donations to the family Rice Bowls. Thank you to all the families who made Rice Bowl part of their Lenten journey. A separate contribution to Catholic Relief Services was $1,730.
50+ Plus Friends This is a group age 50 and over, plus their friends of any age. We meet for social activities and service projects. This year our service projects are Sock it to Homelessness, (collecting new men’s white socks so that homeless people will have a clean dry pair of socks to wear) and Warm for Winter, (collecting hand knit or fleece hats and scarves for homeless people). The Knit and Chat Group is also working on Warm for Winter. In early December the 50+ Plus Friends will wrap sets of hats and scarves to be given as Christmas gifts to Bishop Lewis House and Ratcliff House. The remainder of the hats and scarves will go to Lazarus Day Center.
50+Plus Friends Schedule for 2011-12 June 21 - Western Barbecue
Steering Committee members are: Pat C., Sandy G., Ken L., Pat L. and Marge V. Staff support: Frances Davis. The Steering Committee meets at 2 pm on the first Wednesday in the Parish Office Conference room. All are welcome. Your input is appreciated.
50+ Plus Friends Luncheons -We are gathering on the 3rd Thursday of the month this year, rather than the 1st Thursday.
April was Child Abuse Prevention Month. We have a responsibility to care for and protect the most vulnerable in our community. Be watchful for any suspected abuse or boundary violations. Respond immediately by protecting the vulnerable, reporting abuse and getting help for the victim. Be an active and engaged member of the community who is committed to keeping kids safe!
For information about abuse prevention classes, reporting abuse or other resources, please see the Safe Environment Program at http://www.seattlearchsep.org/ or call (206) 274-3188.
Rachel’s Corner Hope and Healing After Abortion Some women experience depression after an abortion. Symptoms of post-abortion trauma can also include intense grief, regret, despair, lowered self-esteem, nightmares, alcohol and drug abuse, and preoccupation with becoming pregnant again.
Come experience God’s healing touch on a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat™. Call Valerie: 1-800-822-HOPE (4673) Project Rachel is a program of Catholic Community Services.
Volunteers who bring salads and desserts for funerals or other events, please pick up your dishes. Donna F. can arrange to be in Unity after Mass. Her number is 433-8547. Thank you!
The Outreach Office requeststhat in the future, donations of clothing be taken to St. Vincent de Paul on 1st Avenue S in Burien. The folks there will take it right out of your car and handle it for you. Hospitality House has an overstock of clothing at the present time. Leaving clothing donations at the church ends up being too much of a good thing. I have to find a way to get them to the St. Vincent de Paul store. Hospitality House does not need toiletries or shampoo, but I can route those items to St. Martin de Porres, Lazarus Day Center or Operation Nightwatch. Hospitality House does need Metro bus tickets, laundry products and paper products., so those are ways to remember them. Thank you.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL seeks some generous souls to help people in need. It involves giving 2-3 hours a week in service, as a team member. We make home and telephone visits. If you’d like to become a Vincentian, please call the parish office and leave your name and number. Thank you!
Catholic Social Teaching Archbishop Desmond Tutu reflects on the human dignity of each person as reflected in the other
As a created and precious child of God I have been blessed with a great sense of dignity. Recognizing that we are all created as sisters and brothers belong to a common humanity, leads us to treat one another with respect. Our sense of dignity is affirmed when our uniqueness is recognized and valued by thosearound us, as we all become global citizens.
Africans have something called Ubuntu. It captures the essence of being human. It embraces hospitality, caring about others, being able to go the extra mile for the sake of others. We believe that a person is a person through another person; that my humanity is caught up, bound up, inextricably, with yours. Respecting a person takes account of their feelings and experiences; their social situation; their ethnic, religious, and sexual identity, though they may be very different from my own.
The practice of Ubuntu demands an open-mindedness that celebrates difference, recognizing the validity of others’ circumstances and experiences. It recognizes the uniqueness of each person and looks for the image of God in the other.
- Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town
From Archdiocesan Missions Office
Take ACTION! - Protect our Poor and Vulnerable Brothers and Sisters
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urges Congress and the Administration to protect programs for poor and vulnerable persons during deficit reduction negotiations. What you can do:
Urge the Administration & Congress to give priority to poor and vulnerable persons in the negotiations to reduce the deficit. Fiscal responsibility is important and our current budget deficit must be addressed; however, a just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons. A balanced approach requires shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues, eliminating unnecessary spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly.
Urge Congress and the Administration to consider these moral criteria to guide their budgetary decisions:
1. Every budget decision should be assessed by whether it protects or threatens human life and dignity.
2. A central moral measure of any budget proposal is how it affects “the least of these” (Matthew 25). The needs of those who are hungry and homeless, without work, or in poverty should come first.
3. Government and other institutions have a shared responsibility to promote the common good of all, especially ordinary workers and families who struggle to live in dignity in difficult economic time.
Mother Teresa “I have come more and more to realize that being unwanted is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience. Nowadays we have found medicine for leprosy and lepers can be cured. There’s medicine for TB and consumptives can be cured. But for being unwanted, except there are willing hands to serve and there’s a loving heart to love, I don’t think this terrible disease can be cured.” Mother Teresa of India.
Do you have willing hands and a loving heart for the elderly? Friend To Friend matches volunteers to visit one-on-one with residents in local nursing homes, who seldom or never have visitors. Call 1-888-FTF-7818 or email for more information. Website:www.friendtofriendamerica.org
Adult Volleyball on Sundays
Every Sunday night from 6:30PM to 9:00 Adults from all over the area and of all skill levels gather together for two hours of good exercise. You are not required to be a parishioner to participate and have fun. We play at St. Francis' McClean Family Center. We do ask for a $2 donation to cover the costs of the gym, volleyballs, utilities and maintenance.
