September 21, 2022

Return of the Shared Communion Cup 

The Precious Blood will return to Mass starting September 24-25.  

We have found no scientific evidence indicating the shared cup spreads the COVID-19 virus. We have found no scientific evidence indicating the shared cup spreads the COVID-19 virus. However, parishioners can make determination based on their comfort level as parishioners are not required to receive the Precious Blood.    

Parishioners who are feeling ill should refrain from receiving the cup.

Registration is open for Sunday School 2022-23

Sunday School for ages 4 and 5 meets in the Extended Day Care (XDC) rooms in Quigley Building during the 10:30am Mass each Sunday - beginning October 9th through May. 

The entrance is from the parking lot side.

Click here for the Registration form.

Season of Creation Events:

1. Thursday, Sept 22 at 6:30pm. Saint Francis of Assisi ministry meeting. Join us as we work to care for creation, right here at St John. Click here to join the meeting.
2. Wednesday, Sept 28 at 10am. Catholic Climate Covenant is hosting an online seminar: Putting our Faith in Action: Voting to Protect our Common Home. Hear about theological foundations for why Catholics are called to vote to protect the environment. tinyurl.com/ccc-voting 

See the Laudato Si column at the bottom of this newsletter for more information.

Fr. Crispin’s 60th!!

     Fr. Crispin turned 60 on September 2, while he was on retreat in Kenya.  

We are planning to celebrate him at Mass on Sunday, September 25 at 10:30am followed by a reception in Egan Hall.

     We also thought a great way to celebrate this milestone birthday would be to send him to the Holy Land. This is a trip he has always wanted to go on, but has not yet had the chance. If you would like to contribute to this gift, you may mail or drop off funds at the parish office or make a gift online here. Use the “Other – Parish” button and note “Father is 60”.

We are hoping to raise $7,000 to fund this trip.

Shhhhhhhhhhh!! This is a surprise 

 Please don’t say anything to Fr. Crispin!

Questions? Contact Teresa Gillett at 206-782-2810 ext.355 or tgillett@stjohnsea.org

10th Anniversary!

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, September 25th, 10:30 Mass

Updated Information for This Year: There have been changes in the food needs and distribution at Broadview-Thomson K-8. They still provide food that goes home with students on the weekends that includes snacks and non-perishable food items, but they no longer provide the daily food pantry for the school and the community. They also do not have the physical space to store as much food in their pantry. 

Please refer to this list on what is most needed and what they do not need.

Taking all of this into consideration, this year we will split the food donations between BTK-8 and our St. Vincent de Paul food pantry here at St. John.  

Fr. Crispin will bless the backpacks at the 10:30am Mass on Sunday, September 25 or donations can be dropped off in the Parish Office September 22nd through 23rd or at Masses the weekend of September 24th and 25th.

Questions? Contact Teresa Gillett at 206-782-2810 ext.355 or tgillett@stjohnsea.org

St. John Annual Blessing of the Animals, Sunday Oct. 2 at Noon.

The Saint Francis of Assisi ministry and St. John would like to invite you to bring your pet to the schoolyard on Sunday, October 2nd to celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Father Crispin will be blessing the animals 12:00 to 12:30pm. Please note that we anticipate animals of all sizes and types, and we don't wish any to be harmed. Thus, we require all dogs to either be leashed or carried in a secure dog carrier. In addition, all other animals (e.g., cats, birds, hamsters, snakes, etc.) need to be brought to the schoolyard in a secure carrier. If you can't bring your pet in a secure carrier or if you can't control your leashed dog, please leave your pet at home and bring a photo for Father Crispin to bless.

Volunteer/Safe Environment Training at St John

Thursday, October 6th from 6:30pm - 9:00 in Egan Hall

(Child Care available)

You need this training if you would like to volunteer on campus or in the classroom, coach, chaperone or drive for field trips, participate in the ministries of the church such as Ushers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, CLOW, etc. any time this year. 

Please take care of the training now so you can be ready to volunteer when the opportunity arises.

The Archdiocese of Seattle requires all Church Personnel (defined as all clergy, all employees, and all volunteers who have ongoing, unsupervised contact with minors and vulnerable adults) to take part in our Safe Environment Program in three ways. They must:

• Successfully undergo a criminal background check every three years
• Complete the Protecting God's Children course within 30 days of beginning service
• Read and sign the Archdiocesan policies of conduct

You may complete these requirements by accessing the Virtus database, our Catholic Risk Retention Group focused on the prevention of abuse. New church personnel will need to create a Virtus profile (http://www.virtus.org/virtus/index.cfm) under the "Registration" tab.

If you have already taken the initial training, you will only need to update every three years. Sign in at the volunteer computer in the school office to find out if you are up to date.

2022 Bump It Up! Is Back!!

BUMP, SET, SPIKE…or something close to it!  

Bump It Up! is back this October! This is our Annual FUNraiser Tournament to support St. Al/John Athletics! Registration is $40 per person with all proceeds going to St. Al/John Athletics. (St. John teachers and staff, please follow this link to register.) Contact John Fletcher (Volleyball Coordinator), fletchjp@aol.com, or Jonna Skokan (Athletics Director), jskokan@st-johnschool.org, with questions.   Read more...

Our motto is:

When people need help

WE’LL BE THERE 

September 28th is the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul. 

As Pope Francis has said, “His example encourages us to give time and space to persons who are poor, to those suffering from the new forms of poverty of our time, to the too many people living poverty today and to make their thoughts and difficulties our own.”  

To help you learn more about the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 

and about our St. John the Evangelist conference of St. Vincent de Paul

WE’LL BE THERE

in the vestibule after the Masses this weekend.

Please stop by.  

Liturgical Life of the Parish

As part of our response to the requests for Adult Faith Formation in our St John Synod meetings, we are pleased to share these brief essays on liturgical topics. Each week, this space will feature a short article on the mass, the whys and wherefores of liturgy, sacraments, the liturgical year, Mary and the Saints, and many other topics.

Applause

A round of applause in church can express the unity of the people, the greatness of God, and the enthusiasm that underlies our faith. 

Applause entered Catholic tradition with apprehension. For hundreds of years, many Catholic assemblies did not even sing much less applaud in church. People attended Mass as a collective private prayer. Choirs and clergy made all the noise. Now all the parts of the Mass are distributed among those who attend, and the people of God have a responsibility to express their faith in word, action, and song. 

Applause also carried secular connotations.  Read more...

St. John Catholic School is celebrating 100 years this academic year! As part of our centennial celebration, we are pleased to announce that we will honor Michele Thornquist, our previous Development Director, at our 2022 Endowment Event. Michele has been integral to accelerating the St. John School Endowment Fund’s growth. Please join us on Saturday, October 22 in Egan Hall for this celebratory fundraising event. Enjoy drinks, appetizers, and a family-style dinner catered by Ethan Stowell Restaurants. Tickets are limited so purchase yours today! Registration closes on October 8. Can’t attend the event? Visit our donations page to make a donation.