Message from your Pastor
On a Personal Note

Last week I shared how the parish plans to continue and enhance our ministry during and after the Covid pandemic.  The current situation calls us to look at ministry in new ways and to focus on discipleship with renewed commitment. I feel I should share with you a new situation in my own life that will call for adaptations.   First, let me say I am fine. However, I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  This is a very common cancer for men and it is very treatable.  On a scale of one to five (one being very low risk and five being very high risk), I am at a three.  I have therefore decided to begin a treatment program.   I have already had one minor surgery and will begin radiation therapy next week.  This will entail a short trip to the hospital five days a week for eight weeks.  I hope to be able to schedule it in a way least disruptive to parish life.  There could be some possible side effects, but we will deal with them if and when they arise. The most common one is some fatigue. 

The parish staff has been great in assuming some of my administrative duties and in cautioning me not to pack my schedule too full so I can concentrate on getting well. I ask for your patience and understanding if this limits what I can do in the parish.   Your prayers would also be appreciated. Nevertheless, do not pray just for me. Many of our parishioners face cancers that are far more aggressive and other more serious illnesses. Please pray for all the sick in the parish and for their caregivers.

My goal is to be cancer free by Thanksgiving and energy levels back to normal by Easter. I am also looking forward to learning some life lessons through all of this - like: learning to ask for help; knowing I am not invincible and need to accept limits, and what it means to be a disciple who has a golden treasure in an earthen vessel.  I look forward to where the Lord may lead me.
-Fr. Bill
Confirmation Mass

Archbishop Paul Etienne will be presiding at the sacrament of Confirmation at the 5:00 PM Mass on September 13th.  This Mass is full.
Is God calling you?
If you are an adult who has never been baptized or, an adult who has been baptized in another Christian tradition, you are invited to participate in the RCIA, a process of initiation into the Catholic Church. You can learn more by contacting John Simpson, 253-839-2320, ext. 209 or jsimpson@stvincentparish.org.
For registration information about Sacramental Prep
First Reconciliation & First Communion please contact Stephanie Gray Nguyen.
Class begins October 11th. Email: sgray@stvincentparish.org Phone: (253) 839-2320 ext. 208
Political engagement is part of
our Catholic Call!
 
You are invited to join a 4-week study on Faithful Citizenship via Zoom. To maximize effective discussion, there will be three groups which are limited in size. Beginning September 22nd, they will be offered: Tuesdays and Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM; and Thursday mornings at 10:00 AM. Please register here. For more information, please contact John Simpson at jsimpson@stvincentparish.org. 
We are in need of volunteers to help us with our bulk mailings. This would involve adhering address labels and stuffing the envelopes. This is a project that can be picked up at the Parish Office, done at home, and dropped back off. We do a bulk mailing of our Newsletter every other week and need 3 to 4 volunteers to help us. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Diana Carasa at 253.839.2320 x206 or dcarasa@stvincentparish.org.
Important Reminder Regarding Weddings and Funerals

Effective August 10, 2020, the following change was made to the Governor’s Memorandum on Phase 1, 2, and 3 Religious Weddings and Funerals:

  • Indoor capacity is limited to 20% or 30 people, whichever is LESS, if and only if six feet of physical distancing between households can be achieved. Outdoor ceremonies are limited to 30 people, and at least six feet of physical distancing between households is required.
  • Only ceremonies are permitted, and ceremonies must follow all other provisions of the “Religious and Faith-based Organization COVID-19 Requirements.”
  • Receptions are prohibited.

Please know these restrictions are not parish restrictions, but are mandated by the state of Washington. We realize the hardship this places on families, and we share in the sadness experienced by those unable to gather for these momentous occasions. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to keep our parishioners, our pastoral staff and our community safe.
What does it mean to be a Knights of Columbus?

We are catholic men who lead, serve, protect and defend. We share a desire to be better husbands, fathers, sons, neighbors and role models and to put family, charity and community first.

All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

Join us and surround yourself with men who share the same faith, values and love of community as you. For more information contact Mike Rutland 206-419-8120.
Knights of Columbus Council 7528 invites all parishioners to a rosary for the parish on Thursday Sep 17th at 7pm. The rosary will be conducted virtually via the Zoom application. To receive an invitation and link to the rosary send an email to the council Grand Knight at GK@kofc7528.org.
Back to School in the “New Normal”
(Article provided by the Seattle Archdioce)
 
Last March children all across Washington State (and the United States) were told that they would be learning from home for a few weeks as a way to keep them healthy and free of the Coronavirus. We all know that the weeks turned into months and the kids never made it back to their classrooms. This led to a summer where camps cancelled sessions, swimming pools closed, and for most people, vacation, if you went anywhere, was a car ride across the state rather than a plane ride across the country. Now, September is here and along with it, the first day of school…on the computer through distance learning. These changes have had a negative impact on the mental health of many children.

Fortunately, there are resources available to parents as schools, mental health and health care providers understand the importance of this issue. If you have noticed a change in your child’s behavior or mood, there is help available. Please visit www.Guidanceresources.com or call 800-311-4327 (use company ID ASEAP)
Please Prayerfully Give
We want to thank many of you who have given to the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal. The good news is we have received pledges/gifts totaling $120,669.50 from 391 households! But it means there are still 2006 households that have not yet responded. Our parish is currently at 82% of goal.And it’s not too late for you to give! Your gift can still help the Annual Catholic Appeal by its support of more than 60 ministries and services that are offered to thousands of individuals across Western Washington. In addition, this year, a 10% ‘tithe’ from ACA 2020 donations (excluding rebates) will be placed in a Parish Solidarity Fund for those parishes severely financially impacted as a result of the suspension of public Masses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.If you have not yet made a gift, won’t you please consider making a gift this year? No gift is too small. If you’re unsure what to give, please consider a gift of $1 a day or $365 or more.Go online to https://donate.seattlearchdiocese.org/acaor use a pledge envelope. If you would rather call in your gift to the Appeal Office, they can be reached at 800-809-4921. Thank you!
Next week, we will take up a special collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Your support of this collection will provide a sustainable future for the one in six Americans who struggle and live in poverty. In addition, 25% of the funds collected will remain in our Archdiocese to support local antipoverty projects. Please be generous.
Please continue to give:
Like you and your families, the church still has fiscal responsibilities, and your Sunday Contributions make up 90% of our parish income. If your household income has been affected by circumstances due to the corona virus we ask you to please offer up prayers for our church as your Sunday Giving.

Ways to give:
  • Online - signup to give onetime, weekly or monthly, click the link on the below to sign up.
  • Mail - you can mail us your contribution to 30525 8th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked Archbishop Etienne to take up an emergency collection during the month of September as a direct response to Hurricane Laura, devastating wildfires and other disasters.

The funds collected in this special appeal will become part of the Bishops Emergency Disaster Fund and will be used to support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA and/or Catholic Relief Services, the official relief agencies of the U.S. Catholic Church, as they and their local agencies respond to immediate emergency needs for such necessities as water, food, shelter, and medical care and aid in long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts; and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for pastoral and reconstruction needs of the Church is critical. Funds will be used in response to Hurricane Laura and any other disasters that occur and will be distributed where they are most needed.

Ways to donate:
Mail - 30525 8th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Sunday Mass - put in the basket at the Registration Desk
Credit Card - Call the parish office M-Th from 10am-2pm at 253.839.2320. Please make sure you clearly notate the donation is for Hurricane Laura. Donations need to be received by September 30th. Thank you for you generosity.