Part of the definition of a sacrament is that this gift is entrusted to the Church that must constantly look at how these rituals are celebrated.  It was about twenty years ago that a change was made in the posture around the Communion Rite.  We began standing after the Great Amen all the way until the end of the Communion Procession. This emphasized the communal nature of receiving Holy Communion. We all had a common posture of standing, like the Israelites standing to eat that first Passover meal as the Lord was about to lead them out of slavery to freedom.

That change twenty years ago was never implemented in a full and consistent manor throughout our country and even throughout our archdiocese. This resulted in different parishes in different places doing different things.  As our new archbishop has traveled through our archdiocese visiting the different parishes, he has noted this lack of consistency. He would like our parishes to be doing the same thing.

There are also new challenges we must face. There is an alarming number of Catholics who doubt the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. How we celebrate Mass can help emphasis our belief that Jesus is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine on the altar. The Archbishop would like us to kneel after the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) until it is time to go forward in the Communion procession. He writes: “Kneeling is a posture of adoration. When we are on our knees, we cannot “do” anything else! In this moment, we prepare to receive Communion by kneeling in the presence of Christ, already in our midst in the sacrament of his Body and Blood, until it is time to rise and join the Communion procession.”

The Communion Rite is still a communal gesture. We continue to express this by joining in the procession (unless prevented by infirmity), singing together (once we get through this Covid-19 pandemic) and standing to receive Holy Communion.

At St. Vincent de Paul Parish, we will implement this change the first Sunday in November.  During the rest of October, please continue our practice of standing until the end of the Communion Procession. However, do begin to ponder the meaning behind this change.   Please prayerfully read the Archbishops pastoral Letter on the Eucharist https://www.stvincentparish.org/media/1/14/ABE%20Pastoral%20Letter%20single%20pages%20sm.pdf

Moreover, sign up to participate in our parish’s new Family Faith Formation “Gathering the Family Around the Table.  There will be special events for families with young children, families with older children and families with no children at home.   Let us grow in our understanding and appreciation of this wondrous gift of the Eucharist in this Year of the Eucharist.

I have now past the halfway mark of my radiation treatments for prostate cancer. So far, the side effects have been very mild. Thanks you for the continued prayers, cards and words of encouragement. They have been very helpful.

-Fr. Bill

We can always use more volunteers to help us with our Sunday Masses. If you are interested in being an Usher or Cleaner please contact Katie Goodson at kgoodson@stvincentparish.org

The parish continues to recruit volunteers to make it possible to offer daily Mass on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings.  We need people to serve as sacristans, lectors, ushers, hosts, and church cleaners.  Contact Katie Goodson to volunteer kgoodson@stvincentparish.org

Did you know that prior to to Covid we were bringing communion to nearly 100 people? We would like to start bringing communion to our parishioners again but sadly most of our volunteers are no longer able to due their age or health concerns. We need your help! Please contact Katie Goodson at kgoodson@stvincentparish.org if you can volunteer in this important ministry.

The pandemic can’t stop us. Join the Vincentians on October 13th at noon via zoom. Bring your lunch and spend some time playing Scattergories with your friends. You won’t need anything to play the game, zoom will have all you need. On October 13 a little before noon click on the link and it will get you into zoom. If you have questions or need anything please let Katie know. Please note that the correct day is October 13th not October 11th.

Please select the link below to review the shopping list and bring your purchased food items to the food pantry garage at the Life House. The Life House is the house on 8th Ave immediately next to the main entrance to the parish campus.

Visit www.kofc.org/joinus to learn more about the many benefits of membership in the Knights of Columbus or call Mike Rutland at 206-419-8120 for more information

Archbishop Paul D. Etienne has appointed Annie Bailey as the new Director of Young Adult Ministry. In this role, she will be responsible for engaging young adults in the Archdiocese of Seattle. From campus ministry to parish life, Young Adult Ministry helps people ages 18–39 develop a personal relationship with Jesus. Through prayer, formation, service, and fellowship, this ministry provides opportunities for young adults to deepen, share, and live their Catholic faith. This ministry also supports and forms young adult leaders to engage in meaningful ministry within their parish communities.

Annie Bailey will continue extending the reach of young adult ministry and evangelization through the social media presence of Western Washington Catholic Young Adults on Facebook and Instagram, as well as through the Scroll Newsletter. She will also continue serving young adult initiatives such as: · Theology on Tap · Virtual young adult retreats · Women’s discernment groups · La Red de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana · Campus ministry efforts, including the newly established Eastside Newman

Ways to give: