Message from your Pastor
I have been going on many sick calls lately.  When called by the hospital or nursing home, I have to admit; sometimes my first reaction is to see this as an interruption, especially if the person is not a parishioner.   It takes a little prayer and a reminder which helps me refocus that this is a moment of grace.   If the person is struggling with an illness, I have the opportunity to be a sign of Christ the Healer who always reached out to those who were sick. If a person is dying, I have the graced moment to commend them to the tender mercy of God as we bid a Christian soul to go forth from this world. (I am also hoping they will put in a good word for me when they see the Lord.)

One thing that continues to surprise me is the number of times I am asked for “the Last Rites.” Prior to the Second Vatican Council, Extreme Unction (last anointing or last rites)  was the sacrament reserved for the dying.  The Council revised this sacrament to its more original intention of being a sacrament for the sick.  We have not used the term Last Rites for over 50 years.  Sometimes those requesting the Last Rites have not been to church in the past 50 years.

The Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament for those who are experiencing serious illness, anticipating surgery or suffering from the effects of old age. The focus of the prayer is for healing. This sacrament includes anointing the sick person with oil and is done by a priest.   Its roots are in scripture when Jesus sent out the disciples to anoint the sick with oil and in the Letter of James that mentions sending for the priests and having them anoint the sick with oil.

When a person is dying, the Church has a beautiful prayer service called The Commendation of the Dying.  This includes short readings from scripture about Jesus desire to be with us; a litany of saints calling them to also pray for the dying Christian and to be ready to welcome her to heaven; a prayer commending the Christian to God who created them, to God who died for them, to God who inspired them in life. The Commendation ends with a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The Commendation of the Dying can be led by a deacon or even a layperson.

Another ministry to the dying is bringing them Holy Communion (if they are able to receive). This is called Viaticum that is translated food “for the journey.”  Viaticum includes the renewal of baptismal promises and focuses on Jesus, the Bread of Life.   A priest, deacon or layperson can administer viaticum.

Our parish webpage also has prayers for the dead that can be used when death has occurred (go to Funerals under Worship & Sacraments).

During my sabbatical that begins this February, there may not be a priest available to the parish every day of the week.  The parish staff will do their best to find a priest when someone requests the anointing of the sick. Give them as much advance time as possible.   We do have trained staff members who can lead the Commendation of the Dying when no priest is available. Our Eucharistic Ministers to the homebound are trained to administer Holy Communion as Viaticum.  While the clergy administers the sacraments (the exception being Baptism under emergency conditions), all members of the church are called to pray and at times to lead the prayers of the church. 

-Fr. Bill
Message from your Parish Administrator
Our facilities and parish staffs are working hard to prepare our auxiliary seating for our Christmas Masses. Due to the COVID social distancing restrictions we can only accommodate 130 people at each of our Masses. Our Christmas and Easter Masses are always our most heavily attended. How do we accommodate all our parishioners who want to attend on these special feast days during the pandemic? Our answer this year is to provide additional seating, doubling our capacity for two of our four Masses. Our 5:00 Christmas Eve and our 11:00 Christmas Day Masses will be live-streamed, and will be shown in the gym on a large screen. We will match the seating capacity of the church, and Communion will be distributed by Eucharistic Ministers who will transport the Precious Body from the Church to the gym at Communion time. Registration is required by calling the parish office between 10-2:00 Monday through Thursday, or going online to www.stvincentparish.org. An email will be sent to all registered participants prior to Christmas indicating where to check in for their Christmas Mass. We are excited to gather with an expanded community to celebrate this most joyous occasion of the birth of Our Lord.
-Tracey Rockwell
Mass Times:

Sunday - 10:30 AM (Live Streamed)
5:00 PM

Monday - 9:00 AM

Thursday - 6:30 pm

Reservations are required to attend Mass in person
Reconciliation for Advent

Many find the Sacrament of Reconciliation a powerful way to prepare for Christmas. Due to Covid, we are only offering individual confessions. There is no communal reconciliation service for Advent.  Available times for reconciliation are limited, so we ask parishioners to sign up only once for the month of December.  Making a reservation is a way of limiting the time you have to wait as well as limiting contact with others.  In making the reservation, you do not need to use your real name if you want to protect your anonymity.  There is no face-to-face confessions. A screen will separate the priest from the penitent.   The penitent will stand at the screen.  Facemasks are required as well as a self-screening for symptoms of Covid.  If you are sick, please stay home (sacraments for those with Covid are arranged by calling the parish office).

Check out Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession on your new FORMED subscription that was given to every parishioner as an Advent gift from the parish.

Simbang Gabi is a Filipino practice of preparing for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. It centers around the paroles or star that guide us to Jesus.

Join us Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 pm to celebrate Simbang Gabi.

To register simply sign up for the December 17 daily mass. Please wear your traditional attire and bring a nonperishable food item to give to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This is open to all members of our parish and we hope that you can come and celebrate with us.
Calling all Vincentians!

It is time for us to meet on Zoom and play Yahtzee. You will need Yahtzee score cards and 5 dice. We will meet on December 15 at 12pm. You can find the score cards on google. If you need cards and dice let Katie know. I will get them to you. The zoom log in information is below. I will send out an email with it as well, on Monday, December 14. I hope that lots of you can make it. I am missing you.
Wednesday, December 16th - Adult Track

Please join us next Wednesday via Facebook live for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Due to current restrictions, there is no in person option this month, but we will be lighting candles around the altar on your behalf throughout our time together. 
Long before an angel appeared to a young girl named Mary, the need for the angel's message was firmly established in history. At the start of Creation, humanity had rebelled, choosing to trust something other than their Creator, bringing sin and death into the world. So how does that event connect to a young virgin and a startling visit from a celestial being? This study explains. Presented by Brigid DeMoor. 


St. Vincent de Paul Parish Giving Tree

COVID cannot stop our Christmas Giving Tree, it is just going to look a little different. This year we are only collecting gift cards.
 
Below are the Gift cards most in need.

Red denominations means you can call parish school to purchase the gift card.
253–839-3532 This way supports the school and you don’t have to leave your house.

All other cards please drop off in the black box outside the parish office. Please bring in Gift Cards by December 17th.
During the month of December St. Vincent de Paul Parish collects supplies for the Burien Hospitality House. Hospitality House, opened in October 2000 and seeks to help homeless women find home, health and hope.
Christmas, COVID, and Mental Health
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! However like almost every other holiday of 2020, this Christmas is going to be different. There are travel restrictions and Public Health orders in place as the COVID rates rise. We will need to find creative ways of spreading joy and a feeling of togetherness, such as phone calls or video chats with those we can’t be with in person.

While it is important for us to reach out to those who are alone, it is also important to reach out if you need help. Don’t be embarrassed to say you are lonely or down. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness over half of the people with mental illness say the holidays, even in “normal” years, make their conditions worse.

This Christmas be especially kind and understanding with others and yourself. Here are some tips to maintain good mental health as we go into the Christmas season. 

  1. Keep Active: Physical activity can boost your mood in the short and long term. A 10 to15 minute walk around your neighborhood or dancing and moving to music can lighten your mood and relieve anxiety.
  2. Address Loneliness:  With COVID-19 lockdowns and quarantines many of us have been isolated. Make an effort to call or video chat with those close to you. Check in with others through text, email, or through social media. Keep yourself occupied. An active and engaged mind is much less likely to dwell on loneliness.
  3. Eat and Drink Well: What we eat impacts our mood. Remember to keep up your water intake, eat fruits and veggies, and limit the amount of alcohol you consume. Alcohol might initially uplift your mood and reduce anxiety, but in the long run it can actually increase your risk of developing mental health issues.
  4. Keep your expectations realistic: Not everyone is on the same page when it comes to COVID-19. While you might be most comfortable with a Zoom based meal, others might want to actually get together and have a small, in-person meal. These differences can definitely cause disappointment and add stress-especially if you have younger children who have a harder time grasping the differences of opinion. Have clear and frank discussions with your family as to what to expect this year. The best option is to avoid crowded spaces, wear a mask when you do need to go out, keep six feet apart from others, and have virtual celebrations.
  5. Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep can help you stay healthy and happy. Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system, heightens emotions, and can cause unwelcome and unnecessary stress.

Archdiocese of Seattle, Benefits Administration Office
Prayerfully Give
Sunday Giving:
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 your contribution to 30525 8th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003.