After arrival we found our assigned cabins to settle in. I knew it would be a rustic affair, and it was. But it was not what I expected. The “cabins” were canvas on wood-framed units. And each cabin floor was about four feet off the ground, about four or five steps up. And instead of a tent flap, each cabin was equipped with a wooden door. I asked a camp staffer about the unusual accommodations. He told me that the island was infested with wild pigs. The cabin design was for our protection. I thought to myself, Lord have mercy!

After the Sunday morning session and lunch, we were instructed to spend some time alone in reflection and prayer. I was eager for this. I found a prime spot, very remote, sitting on a large stone next to a babbling brook. With the warm sun on my face, the physical beauty and the sounds of the brook soothed me. While in an attitude of prayer suddenly, to my left, the bushes began to rustle. Whatever it was moved closer. I could tell it was large. I reached down to the creek bed and grabbed a baseball-sized rock. I cocked my arm for the throw, ready for one of those fanged pigs to rush me. At that moment… a deer popped out of the brush. She looked at me, wiggled her ears, and moseyed on up the bank. Feeling silly, I put the rock down and chuckled at myself. I prepared to face my fear, God wanted to show me beauty.

Several years ago I worked as a copy writer for World Vision. My job was to compose 2-3 page descriptions of World Vision programs operating throughout the globe to give to potential donors. The information supplied to me from World Vision employees working in a specific area development program were the stories of real children and families who were being helped by World Vision initiatives. The World Vision model was not to give people a fish, but to teach them how to fish, by going into communities and building wells or schools with the people of a village, or teaching micro farming techniques. It was only after beginning my work with the parish that I realized Catholic Relief Services built the model of “teaching the people to fish”. For more than seventy-five years CRS has helped millions of smallholder farmers worldwide recover from natural disasters and civil strife, build resilient farming systems, and grow them into agro-enterprises that engage successfully with markets. CRS currently has 108 agriculture projects in 46 countries. This is just one of several initiatives that Catholic Relief Services has developed since it began helping refugees in Europe following World War II. Since then, it has expanded in size to reach more than 130 million people in more than 100 countries on five continents, working in the spirit of Catholic social teaching to promote the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person, particularly in the areas of immigration and the poor and marginalized. Next week we are taking up our annual collection to help fund CRS programs. Thank you in advance for your generosity. 

When: Sundays, beginning February 21st

Time: 3pm - 4pm (informal gathering begins at 2:30pm)

Where: Zoom

We are going to be doing the Formed program, “Into the Desert: A Lenten Study on Prayer.” Follow the link for more information on the study. https://watch.formed.org/into-the-desert

This study is open to all parents in our parish no matter the age of your children or if you have ever come before. If you want to learn more about prayer and how to pray then this study is for you. To sign up call the parish office or email Katie at kgoodson@stvincentparish.org.

ADULT CONFIRMATION IS COMING! Is God calling you to take the next step in your faith life? If so, and you are a baptized Catholic who has not yet been confirmed or received your first communion, this is a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith. The ten weeks of preparation will begin in March. This year’s group will primarily meet by Zoom. For more information, or to register, contact John Simpson at jsimpson@stvincentparish.org.

The Vincentians are going to meet on March 16th for an afternoon of games. We will meet on zoom at noon. Once you register Katie will contact you with information about the game. It is going to be our best one yet. To register let Katie or the office know.

Holy Thursday - 7:30 pm live streamed

Good Friday - 7:30 pm live streamed

Easter Vigil - 8:30 pm live streamed

Easter Sunday - 8:30 am live streamed

Due to large numbers wishing to attend Holy Week liturgies you may attend either Holy Thursday OR Good Friday, you may not attend both.

Please arrive 20 to 30 minutes before Mass begins. If you are not here when Mass begins you may lose your seat.

Then please, consider serving at Mass!

Email Stephanie Nguyen at snguyen@stvincentparish.org to get involved!

Great news, our Prepares program has begun. Prepares is a nurturing response of the Catholic community in Washington state, open to all, to provide meaningful, local and sustainable support to mothers, fathers, and families as they nurture their children through pregnancy and early childhood. Volunteers at the PREPARES program offer support and activities for families from pregnancy to their child’s fifth birthday. We are looking for volunteers to help and donate items for our Prepares Boutique. If you would like to volunteer please let Katie know. Below is a list of items we need. You can drop them off at the Church before or after Mass or the Parish Office Monday - Thursday from 10am-3:30pm.

Our St. Vincent de Paul Society is beginning a programs to provide food for those 55+ in our community. They received an actual ton of food for our food insecure seniors. This is a huge gift for our community. The society is going to need volunteers to help deliver food. If you can volunteer please email Katie at kgoodson@stvincentparish.org

Iola Rossman

Deanna Malm

Ken Malm 

Nora Del Rosario, wife of Tony Rosario

Register on our website, www.stvs.us, admissions.

Let us join in a novena of prayer to St. Joseph as we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19th. Visit our website, www.stvincentparish.org each day to watch a video of a Parish Staff member leading us in this 10 day novena.

Ways to give: