August 31, 2022

First Saturday Mass

September 3rd at 9am we will celebrate Mass with Father Augustine Hilander from Blessed Sacrament.  What a beautiful way to start your weekend, and your month, spending time in prayer and receiving the Eucharist before the busy weekend.

This Mass celebrates our Mother Mary with the beautiful Marian Missal.  

The Parish Office will be closed

Monday, September 5th for Labor Day.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Season of Creation Events:

1. September 1, 7-8 PM: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation over Zoom. This local event, organized by the Care for Creation Network (of which St John's Saint Francis of Assisi ministry is a member). Join the prayer service at tinyurl.com/prayerdayforcreation. 

2. September 9th, 9-10 AM: Divestment 101: Investing in Our Common Home via Zoom. This informative seminar will be led by Joseph D’halluin, who serves as the divestment campaigner for the Laudato Si’ Movement as well as Alexis Fleming, the Western Region Finance Manager for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Register here: tinyurl.com/divest-101.

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

Volunteer and Membership Opportunity here at St. John:  

The Knights of Columbus are looking to grow our membership and volunteers. If you are a male, practicing Catholic and would be interested in finding out more about this group you are welcome to join us on Tuesday, September 13th at 7 pm in the St John Admin Bldg. - 106 N 79th St. We will have introductions and time for questions and answers regarding our activities and ways to fit in your skill set.

We look forward to your interest in joining. Light refreshments will be served. 

See you at the meeting Tuesday evening.  Jim Anderson  

2022 Rice Bowl Grants Awarded

Through the Catholic Relief Services Annual Rice Bowl Grant program, we are happy to let you know that St. John was awarded three grants in the amount of $400 each for WestSide Baby, St. Martin de Porres Men’s Shelter, and Community Dinners. Click here for more details about each grant.

Scouting at St John since 1936

Our goals are to get outdoors, build leadership skills, make new friends, and have fun! We have been doing that for over 86 years and now we are open to all genders so that families can enjoy scouting together. If you think your kid (Kindergarten - 12th grade) might be interested please attend the recruitment event or contact Alan Byars at cubmaster.chiefseattle121@gmail.com. Also check out GreenwoodScouts.com for more details.

  Recruitment Event

  Date: Wednesday, September 14th

  Time: 6:30-7:30 pm

  Location: St John's Egan Hall Auditorium (123 N 79th St)

Children’s Liturgy of the Word Needs You!

Interested in helping children learn about the Gospel?

Children's Liturgy of the Word will be starting up again this fall. The commitment involves working as a team with another person during the 10:30 Mass to teach the young people about the meaning of the Sunday readings. We are happy to train you and materials are provided.

If you are interested, please contact Kim Burkhardt, kburkhardt@stjohnsea.org

St. John Centennial – Alumni Interviews

In celebration of St. John School’s 100th year, we are seeking alumni to be interviewed by students in Fall 2022. We are eager to learn more about your time at St. John! If you are interested in participating, please complete this form and stay tuned for more information this fall. Please forward this form to anyone who may be interested or complete it on their behalf if they cannot. Please reach out to the Centennial Committee at sjs100th@gmail.com with any questions.

Thank You to Our SVdP Volunteers!

St John Parish would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the many volunteers who serve those in need in our parish boundaries on behalf of St John through the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Dedicated volunteers give of their time to organize and distribute food, rent, and utility assistance, visit those in need to better understand how we can help, manage donations and accounts, and meet every other week to plan, coordinate, and share experiences.

St. Vincent de Paul fulfills a significant part of our mission to serve those in need.

Thank you!

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.

Forgiveness at Mass

     The Sacrament of Penance is the Church’s special celebration of pardon, but forgiveness of sins is also one of the fruits of the Mass. There are many moments throughout the Eucharistic celebration

when the texts and gestures of the Mass express the community’s sorrow for sins.

     We begin with the Penitential Act, which includes striking the breast in a simple gesture of sorrow. The presider then asks that God have mercy on us and forgive our sins. On Sundays, this penitential rite may be replaced with a sprinkling rite, signifying our purification. While singing the Glory to God and the Lamb of God, we ask the One who takes away the sins of the world to have mercy on us. When the deacon or priest kisses the Gospel, he prays that its words may wipe away our sins. While washing his hands, the priest asks God to wash away his iniquity and cleanse him of sin. During the Lord’s Prayer, we all ask God to forgive us our sins.

     And, of course, the sharing of Communion itself forgives sins (Catechism of the Catholic Church,

1393–1394). The main purposes of Mass are to express thanks and praise to God and to sanctify

the assembly through Holy Communion. But one of the other results is the forgiveness of sins.

     The faithful who are aware of grave sin should celebrate the Sacrament of Penance before presenting themselves for Communion. Reconciliation is advised for all, no matter how light our sins may be. But the faithful struggling with ordinary sinful lives may find assurance that their participation at Mass will grant forgiveness through word, gesture and sacrament.

Bulletin Inserts for the Liturgical Life of the Parish: Gestures, Postures, and Customs of the Liturgy

© 2020 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training

Publications. All rights reserved. Written by Paul Turner. CCC © 2000, ICEL.