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St. Vincent de Paul Parish Newsletter
May 28th, 2020
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Limited Public Celebration of Mass in the future
This week, Governor Inslee announced that, when counties get to phase two of the state’s reopening plan, places of worship might be able to have limited, public services. We have a parish task force in place to help guide how we can reopen here at St. Vincent’s. The archdiocese is providing directives, but each parish is in its own unique situation. What works in one parish, may not work in another.
We do not know when Mass will resume, nor do we know for certain how many could attend. Our initial planning is for 50 people at each Mass. In our survey last week, 65% of respondents stated they would probably or would definitely want to attend Mass when the church reopens. Even with adding one Mass on the weekend, we could only accommodate a total of 250 parishioners for Sunday Mass (50 people per Mass). Another 200 could gather for weekday Mass.
The question becomes how to manage attendance at Mass. After much consideration, it has been decided that attendance would be by reservation only. Reservations would be made on-line or by phone, days in advance. Because we must maintain social distancing and cleaning requirements, we would not be able to offer Mass without the help of many individuals. Priority would be given to those who could take on additional roles such as sanitizing the church after Mass or serving as hosts or ushers. Click
HERE
to volunteer to help.
Special consideration will be given to those children and their immediate family members who’s First Communion had been postponed. One could not sign up for a second Mass until all parishioners who want have had an opportunity to attend Mass. Patience and understanding would be required of all.
PLEASE remember, we are doing everything in our control to provide a safe environment for Mass, but ultimately, anyone attending Mass does so at his or her own risk. Vulnerable, at-risk and otherwise concerned persons should remain home. A general dispensation from Sunday Mass obligation will remain in place. It has been recommended by the Archdiocese that the parish maintain a list of Mass attendees for 30 days so that contact tracing could be accomplished should an outbreak of the virus occur. Parishioners will need to arrive early for check-n procedures.
I look forward to being able to celebrate with more of you and share in the banquet of the Lord together. What you can do now is to help King County get to phase two by continuing to limit your contact with others, and staying home as much as possible.
-Fr. Bill
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Pope to pray Rosary
this Saturday
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This Saturday, May 30, Pope Francis will join the Marian Shrines of the world in praying the Rosary for help in the midst of the pandemic. The prayer will be broadcast live to the world from the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens at 5.30.pm Rome time. Learn more in this Vatican News story.
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Stay connected with your
St. Vincent de Paul Community
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St. Vincent de Paul Parish Live Streams Mass Sundays at 10:30
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St. Vincent's Church is open for private prayer.
The main church building will be open for private prayer from noon to 2:00 PM on Sundays and Wednesdays. If you are out and about for your essential tasks, stop by for a little quiet prayer time before the Blessed Sacrament.
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St. Vincent's
Prayer Initiative
We invite parishioners to sign up for a 30 minute prayer period so that prayer is constantly being offered throughout the day for our parish, for those suffering because of this pandemic and for those on the front lines of caring for sick and engaged in essential businesses for the common good. Pray as you like. It could be a rosary, liturgy of the hours, silent meditation, scripture reading or just talking to God.
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Virtual Events at St. Vincent's
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Unemployed Together
Many people are feeling lonely and isolated with a dramatic reduction of
in-person interactions. Those who have lost paid work have also lost the social connections that came with that work. It is more important than ever to connect.
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Calling all Vincentians
Join us for a Virtual Bible Study, designed specifically for those over 55
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The parish is going to be offering a virtual Strengthfinders. Now you can discover your strenghths and how God wants you to use them from the comfort of your own home.
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Bishops response to reopening Mass
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May 22, 2020
In response to President Trump’s statement today regarding church reopenings, the Bishops of Washington would like to provide a unified response. We want to let you know that the public celebration of Mass was suspended, not out of fear, but out of our deepest respect for human life and health. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be instruments of God’s protection for the vulnerable and the public common good. Our love of God and neighbor is always personal and not partisan. While we share the desire to bring people back to Mass as quickly as possible, we will wait to schedule our public worship when it is safe and we are prepared to do so.
The bishops across the state are working through the Washington State Catholic Conference to engage the Governor on a plan and schedule for safely gathering. Based on expert guidance from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Thomistic Institute and public health experts, we created practical guidelines outlining how we can safely return to public worship, while ensuring reverence and respect for the Sacred Liturgy of the Mass. It is our understanding that these are in review with the Governor’s office now. We look forward to his rapid response.
At the same time, we are now preparing parishes across the state for re-opening. Parishes must create an environment that is not only safe, but is liturgically reverent. Right now, we do not have a date or determination of size for Mass gatherings.
It is our hope that our right to responsibly and safely gather for worship will soon be honored so we can collaborate in a manner that respects both our Catholic tradition as well as our civic responsibilities. We eagerly await the Governor’s response to our suggestions on this so we can proceed together with our re-opening plans.
We look forward to welcoming people back into our parishes.
In the heart of Christ,
Most Rev. Paul D. Etienne, Archbishop of Seattle
Most Rev. Joseph J. Tyson, Bishop of Yakima
Most Rev. Thomas A. Daly, Bishop of Spokane
Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, M.Sp.S, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle.
Most Rev. Daniel H. Mueggenborg, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle
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Our Lunch brigade has brought over 780 lunches to the ReachOut Shelter homeless.
Thank you to everyone who has helped.
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Please take the time to watch our Witness Talk Videos
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Your donation supports the mission of the Catholic Church in western Washington by funding Catholic social ministries, programs for youth and young adult ministries, Catholic Schools, faith programs, plus administrative support for 169 parishes and missions, such as liturgy guidance, evangelization, human resources, and much more.
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Please continue to give:
Like you and your families, the church still has fiscal responsibilities, and your Sunday Contributions make up 90% of our parish income. If your household income has been affected by circumstances due to the corona virus we ask you to please offer up prayers for our church as your Sunday Giving.
Ways to give
:
- Online - signup to give onetime, weekly or monthly, click the link on the below to sign up.
- Mail - you can mail us your contribution to 30525 8th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003.
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Help Support our
Parish School
253.839.3532
Parishioners can purchase scrip gift cards on Wednesdays. Call the office on Wednesday morning to place the order. When you arrive at school, call the school office and they will take the order out to your car.
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