November 28th Newsletter

P.O. Box 929, Seahurst, WA. 98062

www.stfoa.org 206 242-4575

November 28, 2020 Newsletter

From the Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

We begin the season of Advent this weekend. It is a season of hope, of looking forward to the Coming of Christ into our world now and at the end of time. This all sounds nice but we are in the midst of a pandemic, which has taken away a lot of our hope. It has, at least, taken away our hope for a normal life. There is hope that vaccines are on the way so that we might become immune to the virus. There is hope that the pandemic will end sooner than later. There is hope that life will become more normal, whatever that means in the future. There is hope that we will come out of this pandemic a better people with better tools at our disposal, with better ways of relating to one another, with a better understanding of what it means to be a people of God.

What have we learned during this time of our lives? How can we make life better from what we have learned? Have we grown closer to God or have we drifted away from developing a deeper relation with God? Have we grown in appreciation of how precious life is and are we ready to make this a better place to be in the future? I am sure that there are many more questions that you have on your mind.

During this Advent season, let us turn our hearts and minds to a God who is always looking after us, and let us be grateful for this love of God and pledge to live this love and bring this love to more and more of God’s people.

In the Peace of Jesus,

Fr. Dick Hayatsu

Events and Happenings

Monday, November 30: Mass 9:00 AM, RCIA via Zoom at 7pm – Tuesday, December 1:Mass 9:00 AM, Facilities Meeting 6:60 PM – Wednesday, December 2: Centering Prayer on Zoom 4:00PM – Thursday, December 3: Mass 9:00 AM – Friday, December 4: Mass 9:00 AM - Saturday, December 5: Confessions in the Sacristy 4:00-- 4:30 PM, Mass 5:00 PM - Sunday, December 6: Mass 9:00 AM, Children's Sunday on Zoom 9:00 AM, Mass 10:00 AM

00 am

Free Daily Advent Gospel Video Reflections From Matthew Kelly.

Prepare for Christmas Like Never Before!

Stewardship and Administration News

Stewardship as Way of Life

Meditation as Prayer: (1) read slowly a scripture passage like Sunday gospel (2) stay with the words that especially catch your attention, absorb them the way the thirsty earth receives rain (3) Keep repeating a word or phrase, aware of the feelings that are awakened (4) ask 'what meaning does this word or phrase have for me today?'“Take and Receive, Love- a guide for Prayer,

2021 Treasure Renewal: We are very grateful to the many parishioners who have returned a Treasure Commitment Card to the parish. If you have not turn in a pledge card, go to our web site, www.stfoa.org. At the bottom of the web page, there is pledge card form link.

The parish has received about 140 2021 Stewardship of Treasure Pledge Cards.

To download a Thank you Report that lists those who turned in a card, click on this link: Thank you report.

Stewardship of Treasure Report

Year from July-Nov. 22

Actual Budget

$355,285 $325,434 +29,851

Thank You!

Administration Report

Parish Office: Due to the new Covid 19 restrictions, the office is closed.

Online Givers: Unless directed otherwise, your online gifts are the same as renew your 2021 Stewardship of Treasure Renewal Pledge Form. Contact John Eisen if you object. Jeisen@stfoa-parish.org

Email John

Liturgy, Baptism and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Christmas Masses

We will celebrate Christmas Masses on December 24^th, Christmas Eve, at 4:00 and 7:00 PM. Christmas Day Mass will be Friday, December 25^th at 9:00 AM. We do not know what the interest will be to attend Christmas Mass given the COVID upturn so in order to keep it as fair as possible we will have a lottery for the 100 spots available. You can sign up on our website, stfoa.org or call Elizabeth in the Parish Office, extension 25 between December 1^st and December 15^th. Please register for only one Christmas Mass. Registration for Christmas Masses will be close on December 15^th. On the 16^th we will begin a random drawing from those that have signed up. We will contact you to let you know if you have been randomly drawn to attend a Christmas Mass. There won’t be any walk up attendance for Christmas Masses.

We have a new Baptism Process.

All Baptisms are being scheduled as private Baptisms. To receive Baptism paperwork and have the new process explained contact me in the Parish Office. We will not have any Baptisms during Advent, but if you want to get a jump on preparing for the new year contact me at ehhanks@yahoo.com or call the parish office, ext. 25.

Safety is our priority!

For everyone’s safety please remain vigilant about staying 6’ apart from anyone that is not within your household as the numbers of people contracting the coronavirus continues to climb.

All Mass participants must wear a facial covering. If an individual cannot wear a facial covering, they must wear a plastic face shield as a minimum standard. Please keep in mind that simple surgical masks or double sided cloth masks are the preference. The mask must cover your mouth and nose.

We are Thankful for Your Presence in our community in whatever form that takes during this pandemic. If I can do anything for you, please contact me at the Parish Office. We praise and thank God for the many gifts he has bestowed on us.

Email Elizabeth

Faith Formation News

Yikes! It is Advent.

With all of the bad news about the Corona Virus spikes, the political drama and even the good news about an upcoming vaccine, focusing on the liturgical year is rather challenging right now. Yet, the rhythmic patterns of the Church year are one very effective means of shifting our attention from the current craziness towards the longer perspective of God’s great master plan of love and redemption. In Advent, we prepare our hearts once again to receive the amazing news that God is with us.

God with us arrives as a child, born into obscurity, poverty and oppression. Nothing about Jesus’ life was easy. From his infancy to his death, Jesus experienced all of the human misery and joys we encounter. Reflecting on what Jesus endured, helps us know that we have a God who understands our suffering. We have a God who will walk with us, encourage us, and help us through whatever we might be experiencing. The God who is with us makes it possible for us to look at the world with eyes of hope, faith and love.

So many people want God to rescue them. While we are encouraged to ask God for help and healing, we also must be willing to work to change what is in our control and even more difficult, accept what is not. We cannot guarantee we will get what we pray for. Not even Jesus always received what he asked of the Father! Three times, we are told, he asked that the ‘cup’ might pass by him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew beyond doubt that, unless the Father intervened, he would soon be tortured, humiliated and crucified. Yet, his trust in his Father remained absolute even when faced with the cross. And so, as we move into the Advent season, perhaps you can reflect on the ways that God is with you, no matter what. Perhaps your trust and dependence on God can grow during this season of expectant waiting.

Email Cheryl

Youth Ministry

Dear St. Francis of Assisi parishioners,

It has been a busy time on my end with the new lockdown in place. We have had some really exciting opportunities come our way, and we are preparing to begin Confirmation. This is the last newsletter before we start Confirmation, so it is your last chance to sign up for this year. Please email me if you'd like to sign up for Confirmation.

Last week, in collaboration between myself, our St. Vincent de Paul Conference, and the school's 8th grade National Junior Honors Society, the parish and school collected items for Transform Burien's food and clothing bank during the Thanksgiving holiday season. Wow did STFOA deliver. We came away from our donation drive blown away with gratitude. Over 1,600 pounds of food donated to Transform Burien, and $3,000 donated to St. Vincent de Paul to help with utilities and rent assistance for our neighbors-in-need. Absolutely amazing! If you haven'y been able to see pictures, they're posted here on Facebook (you do not need a Facebook account to access the posted link): Link to photos.

Additionally, I started a conversation series with Father Hayatsu. We kept hearing from parishioners that they miss Mass, seeing Father, and having a connection to him as a pastor due to this pandemic. So, I asked if he'd be willing to start a conversation series on theological topics, and of course he said yes! Give them a view, also no need for an account to watch. Our first conversation is on the very essence of God, and the second is on the Eucharist:

Video One

Video Two

If you have suggestions of topics you'd like to hear Father discuss, please let me know!

Have a blessed beginning to this Advent season.

Kevin J. Schilling