Newsletter | March 21, 2023 |
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JOIN US FOR MASS THIS WEEKEND |
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Saturday at 5:00pm
Sunday at 9:00am
Sunday at 11:00am
PRACTICE OF HOPE
There is a danger embedded in our conviction that God can transform any suffering: rendering suffering meaningless. Sometimes we hear: "It's all for the best." "Everything happens for a reason." "God has a plan." Jesus turns these platitudes on their heads when he raises Lazarus and states, "I am the resurrection and the life." Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, says unambiguously that he is the God of life. He does not will our suffering. He weeps with us as we grieve. He feels the separation of death. Authentic hope is something different than platitudes. It is a belief that in those moments when we most struggle, Jesus is there with us.
- Is there someone who is in need of accompaniment during their suffering? Give them the gift of your time.
- Invite Jesus into your struggles and then reach out to a trusted friend.
Please continue to self-screen. Stay home if you are not feeling well and celebrate Mass with us via livestream. We are doing our best to continue to provide a safe space to worship for everyone. Click here to see current COVID safety measures.
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LITURGICAL MINISTERS RETREAT |
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Thank you to all the Liturgical Ministers who joined us for the retreat this past Saturday. It was a joy to spend time with you! |
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HOLY SATURDAY EASTER BASKET BLESSING
Saturday, April 8 at 12:00pm
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In many Eastern European countries, it is a tradition to have a basket of food blessed on Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday. In Poland, for example, the blessing of the baskets is known as święcenie pokarmow wiełkanocnych, a practice dating to the 15th century or earlier, and one which is still maintained by most families in Poland (and to some extent in other countries).
The food items in the Easter basket, as well as at the Easter Sunday breakfast when the blessed food is eaten, have special significance. Each family may have its own traditions, but there are some practices that are universal.
Basket Decorations
A lot of thought, time, and care are put not only into the foods that will go into the basket but also to how the basket is assembled. The basket is lined with an embroidered cloth or traditional folk fabric. Once the basket is filled, it is covered with a white linen cloth (some have a colorfully crocheted edging or embroidered design) representing the shroud of Christ. The basket can then be decorated with sprigs of boxwood (bukszpan) or Polish "palms " made from dried flowers and colorful paper.
In rural Poland, the size and contents of a woman's basket (some used wooden bowls and even dresser drawers) was a matter of pride and standing in the community.
Symbolic Foods
A typical Eastern European Easter basket would include a variety of symbolic foods, although families can personalize to their liking. There is a special blessing for meat, egg, cake, and bread, so baskets will most likely include these ingredients.
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Bacon (boczek/słonina, BOH-chek/swoh-NEE-nah) is a symbol of the abundance of God's mercy.
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Bread (chleb, hlehb) is usually a braided chałka, representing the staff of life given by God.
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Easter bread (babka, BAHB-kah) is a round cake of rich, eggy yeast dough with raisins that is reminiscent of the risen Lord.
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Butter (masło, MAHS-woh) is one of the dairy products included to celebrate the end of Lent and the richness of our salvation. The butter is often shaped into a lamb, which is symbolic of the Paschal Lamb, and is known as a baranek. Sometimes the baranek is made of dough, wood, or even plastic. It can also be made of sugar, when it is known as baranek cukrowy wielkanocny.
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Candles (swieca, SHVIEH-tsa) symbolize Jesus, the "light of the world," and can be lit when the priest blesses the baskets of food.
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Cheese (ser, SEHRR) is a symbol to remind Christians of moderation.
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Colored eggs (pisanki, pee-SAHN-kee), as well as uncolored hard-cooked eggs, indicate hope, new life, and Christ rising from his tomb.
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Ham (szynka, SHIN-kah), as well as other meats, symbolizes great joy and abundance in celebration of Christ's resurrection.
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Sausage links (kiełbasa, kyehw-BAH-sah) are symbolic of the chains of death that were broken when Jesus rose from the dead, as well as of God's generosity.
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Horseradish (chrzan, HZAHN) is a reminder of the bitterness and harshness of the Passion of Jesus, and the vinegar it is mixed with symbolizes the sour wine given to Jesus on the cross.
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Salt (sól, SOOL) is present to add zest to life and preserve us from corruption.
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Sweets (słodycze, swoh-DIH-cheh) suggest the promise of eternal life or good things to come.
Family Traditions
Although every family might have its own traditions when it comes to the Easter baskets, many make sure to include enough food so every family member can have a bite of all the blessed foods after Mass on Easter Sunday.
Traditions include both feasting on the blessed foods on Easter morning as well as using the contents of the święconka basket to make a delicious soup known as white barszcz.
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
SHINE JESUS' LIGHT ON FINN HILL
June 26-29
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Registration and information will be out the week before Easter! If you are interested in helping or planning for VBS and being a part of our “Team to get it Blasted off” join Laura Stanger for a planning meeting on Sunday March 26 at 12:00 noon in the parish office.
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MEN'S & WOMEN'S RETREATS
Men: July 14-16
Women: July 21-23
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Save the dates! We will be at St. Andrew’s Retreat house on the Hood Canal again. Contact Laura Stanger with questions! Registration forms will be available early summer. |
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LENT - HOLY WEEK - EASTER SCHEDULE |
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Lenten Small Group Reflection
Tuesdays during Lent at 3:00pm in Room 8
or Wednesdays during Lent at 10:00am in Room 8
- All are welcome. Just show up!
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Or start your own small group. Reflection guides are available here.
Stations of the Cross & Soup Suppers
Every Friday* during Lent at 6:00pm
- Donations to Soup Suppers support Rice Bowl
Good Friday*† at 3:00pm followed by Chaplet of the Divine Mercy Chaplet (No Soup Supper)
Family Movie Night
Saturday, March 25th after the 5:00pm Mass in the Social Hall
- This Youth led event supports Rice Bowl via your donations. Popcorn, movie snacks, drinks and more provided. Watch Disney's Encanto with purpose and help change lives!
Communal Reconciliation Service
Wednesday, March 29th at 7:00pm
Palm Sunday Masses
Saturday, April 1st at 5:00pm
Sunday, April 2nd at 9:00am & 11:00am
Holy Thursday Mass
Thursday, April 6th at 7:00pm (No weekday morning Adoration & Mass)
Good Friday*† Mass
Friday, April 7th at 7:00pm (No weekday morning Adoration & Mass)
Holy Saturday Easter Basket Blessing
Saturday, April 8th at 12:00pm
Saturday Easter Vigil Mass
Saturday, April 8th at 8:00pm (No 3:30pm Reconciliation and No 5:00pm Mass)
Easter Sunday Masses followed by Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 9th at 9:00am & 11:00am
*Every person 14 years or older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent.
†Every person between the age of 18 and 59 must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS & SOUP SUPPERS
Fridays during Lent at 6:00pm
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Please join us every Friday of Lent for the Stations of the Cross in the church, to commemorate Jesus’ journey to Calvary. Afterwards, come into the social hall for a simple Soup Supper and a chance to connect with other parishioners. Take out containers will also be available. Soup Supper monetary donations will go to Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl to support programs that prevent hunger and poverty around the world.
Our hosts for this year’s remaining Soup Suppers are:
- March 24th - Senior Group
- March 31st - Catholic Kids’ Catechism Club
- April 7th at 3:00pm - Stations of the Cross then Divine Mercy Chaplet, no Soup Supper
Bring crackers or bread for your family. The hosts for the evening will bring soup. You are welcome to bring a large pot of meatless soup to share as well.
You are also invited to pray the Stations of the Cross on your own, either in the church during open hours or using our outdoor stations on the front lawn during daylight hours. Stations of the Cross Worship Aids are available here.
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CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES RICE BOWL
February 22 - April 7
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Join our faith community—and nearly 13,000 Catholic communities across the United States— in a transformative Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl. Pick up your family’s CRS Rice Bowl in the narthex. During the 40 days of Lent, we will reflect on the impact of global hunger and climate change on vulnerable communities around the word, and we will pray, fast and give alms to help our sisters and brothers in need. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.
Ways they can turn in their CRS Rice Bowl gifts:
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Give online at crsricebowl.org/give
- Donate by phone by calling 1-877-435-7277
- Mail your gift to: Catholic Relief Services CRS Rice Bowl P.O. Box 5200 Harlan, IA 51593-0700
- Drop it into the offertory basket or bring it to the parish office
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FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
This Saturday, March 25 after the 5:00pm Mass in the Social Hall
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This Youth hosted event supports Rice Bowl via your donations. Popcorn, movie snacks, and drinks will be provided. Watch Disney’s Encanto with purpose and help change lives.
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RUMMIKUB
Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00pm in the Social Hall
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We meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month to play three or four games (very flexible) and then finish with the Left Right Center dice game. You do not need to know how to play. Both games are simple and quick to learn, and old timers will be happy to help you learn. Open to everyone! Hope to see you! |
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EMOTIONAL REGULATION LEADING FROM INSIGHT VS REACTION
Tuesday, March 28 at 6:00pm via Zoom
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Andy Parks, SJV Parishioner, Kuolt Professor of Business and DEI Faculty Fellow at Central Washington University, will lead us in a workshop to better understand our emotional triggers, listen to our emotions, take the perspective of others, and manage and control our emotional hijacks. Please sign up at the welcome table in the Narthex or contact Susan, sweaver@sjvkirkland.org, for the link to join us.
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COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION SERVICE
Wednesday, March 29 at 7:00pm
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During Lent and Advent, we offer a communal Reconciliation Service which includes the Liturgy of the Word, and individual confession. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of God’s love and mercy. Every sinner has a future full of hope and this sacrament guides us in that direction.
Reconciliation is also available every Saturday from 3:30-4:30pm (excluding Holy Saturday and the day of the parish auction). The Reconciliation Room is next to our Adoration Chapel.
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ANNUAL SPRING CLEANUP
Saturday, April 1 from 9:00am - 12:00pm
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Can’t believe Spring is just around the corner and the Summer months are coming up. Our celebrated Annual Spring Cleanup has been scheduled for Saturday, April 1. No fooling! We have always had a great turnout for the Spring Cleanup, and we hope to see everyone that can make it. The hours are from 9:00am -12:00pm but we are very flexible. The Facilities Team will have someone here from 8:00am - 4:00pm. We always have people that come up on their own time as well, whatever day of the week. You are welcome to pop in for even just a short work visit. We always have things to do around this 8-acre parcel of beautiful grounds. Please let Greg Leptich (cell 206.940.4072 or gleptich@sjvkirkland.org) know if you are willing to help. |
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GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST SOMEONE TOO SOON
Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00pm in Room 8
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If you are grieving the loss of a child, we invite you to join us the first Tuesday of each month. Please contact Dana, 206-371-0803, for more information. |
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We are excited to announce that we have a theme for this year’s auction – “In the Vineyard” – we are looking for a good tag line to go with it such as: “He is the Vine, We are the Branches” or……If you have an idea for a tag line, or are interested in joining in the planning, or would like to sign up to help on the night of the auction (November 4), please email Ann V. avandewark@sjvkirkland.org or attend our next planning meeting on Wednesday, April 5 at 6:00pm in the Social Hall.
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HOLY ORDERS
If you are interested in becoming a Priest or Deacon, or know someone who is, please see Fr. Vu. Learn more
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CONFIRMATION PREPARATION MINI RETREAT
Saturday, April 1 class from 2:20-4:45pm, 5:00pm Mass together, then dinner and fireside chat until 8:00pm. Learn more
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1ST RECONCILIATION/EUCHARIST PREPARATION
Friday, March 24 at 7:00pm OR Saturday, March 25 at 10:00am
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CATHOLIC KIDS' CATECHISM CLUB
CKCC Microloan Businesses to raise money for Rice Bowl are running! Look for them after Mass. We appreciate your support! Learn more about CKCC.
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YOUTH @ MASS
Join other youth after the Sunday 9:00am Mass for donuts in the Social Hall.
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This information was presented in past newsletters. |
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WE'RE HIRING
We are seeking a part-time, full charge bookkeeper, a part-time, afternoon receptionist, and a part-time pastoral assistant for music. Apply here.
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ADULT MISSION TREK TO TIJUANA
May 20-27, journey to Tijuana to build houses with our brothers and sisters across the border. Contact Susan, sweaver@sjvkirkland.org, for more information.
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WEAR YOUR FAITH
Visit the welcome table to get your gear.
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SJV VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
You are the church!
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THE PASSION OF CHRIST
March 24 and 25 - 8:00pm at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Bothell
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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is hosting showings of The Passion of the Christ. Admission is by donation and is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. |
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PLEASE SUPPORT OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS |
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