Newsletter | July 25, 2023 |
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SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME |
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JOIN US FOR MASS THIS WEEKEND |
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Saturday at 5:00pm
Sunday at 9:00am
Sunday at 11:00am
PRACTICE OF FAITH
What will you give up in exchange for the kingdom of God? That is the question that today's Gospel poses. To us, giving up everything seems very risky; only faith can enable us to take such a drastic step. But faith is not only the thing that give us courage to do what is necessary to reach the kingdom; faith allows us to recognize the kingdom. Through discernment over time, faith hones our ability to distinguish dross for gold. Our faith helps us to see the pearl for what it is, and then do whatever it takes to make it ours.
- This week, pray for a greater ability to see God in the ordinary details of your life.
- Write an "examination of values," listing the things to which you devote the most time and energy; which of these should you renounce because they distract you from God's kingdom?
- Give up a daily or weekly luxury and donate the money or time you would have spent on it to charity.
Please continue to self-screen. Stay home if you are not feeling well and celebrate Mass with us via livestream. We are doing our best to continue to provide a safe space to worship for everyone. Click here to see current COVID safety measures.
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ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL 2023 |
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A big thank you to those who answered the call to donate to the Annual Catholic Appeal. The ACA is winding down after two months of focus on the mission of the Archdiocese in Western Washington. Fr. Vu’s final letter went out last week to the 40+ families who gave last year and have not given this year. We are sitting at a 40% participation rate from our parishioners which is higher than many parishes, but low for our parish. If you didn’t pledge yet and still wish to, you are able to pledge at archseattle.org/GiveACA.
If you pledged money and are not receiving reminders to pay, please let us know. Many thanks!
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ALTAR SERVER APPRECIATION |
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Fr. Vu treated the altar servers to a morning of bowling this past Saturday. Thank you for responding to the Lord in your youth, and for serving with such care at the Lord’s altar.
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YOUTH MIGRANT PROJECT
Day of Service
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Thank you to our great group of volunteers who helped serve at the weekly food distribution at the Tri Parish Food Bank this Saturday. 462 families each received a trunk load full of food! Thank you to everyone who helped support the food bank this past year. From July 2022 – June 2023 the Tri Parish Food Bank:
- Served 23,451 families including 84,214 individuals,
- Distributed 9,066 diapers,
- All with the help of volunteers working a total of 13,807 hours.
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Last weekend, 30 amazing SJV Women gathered at St Andrew’s House on Hood Canal for our annual retreat. For three days, we journeyed together up a Holy Mountain, accompanied by our warmhearted and capable guides, Laura Stanger and Patricia Wuertzer. We quickly discovered that the Eight Beatitudes would be our trail map for the journey.
We started out with empty backpacks, and lots of questions: Questions like: If Blessed means Happy, how can mourning and being persecuted make us happy? And, what does it mean, that the Eight Beatitudes are like an MRI of the Heart of Jesus?
Fortunately, the Holy Spirit was present at every turn on our climb, as we listened and shared deeply with one another, with a good amount of both laughter and tears.
With lots of rest stops for food, fun and enjoying the beautiful view, we made our way together. (Think late night Rummikub, fortified by popcorn, wine, and chocolate.) Saturday afternoon, we gathered at Bayne Cottage and celebrated with Sarah Whalen, singing Happy Birthday as she swam along the shore with one curious sea lion listening in.
And in God’s wonderful way, by Sunday afternoon, we had the answers to many of our earlier questions. Even better, we discovered some of the ways we are already living the Beatitudes. We headed home with our once-empty backpacks now filled with strength for our journey, each of us receiving that one unique gift we needed to continue our mountain climb.
Now we’re seeing the Eight Beatitudes in a whole new way: as grace-filled, sturdy stepping stones for our Mountain Journey to Heaven.
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The Cruz family, who are members of our parish, recently suffered the loss of the mother, Karisa. The family now consists of the dad, Antonio, 3 boys between 16 and 8 years old (2 of whom altar served here) and 3 girls (between 6 and newborn). We have an amazingly generous community at SJV and this tragedy has left many wondering how they might reach out to assist the Cruz family in some way or just to touch them with some love and support. We are sharing two ways:
- The Sonshine Committee is in touch with the family and will be bringing some meals for the family once the meal train stops in August. Please contact Mimi Eyster at 425-823-2991 if you are interested in providing a meal or a portion thereof. The Committee may also be putting out requests for help from time to time, so please read the newsletter and bulletin for more information.
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There is a Go Fund Me set up for the family by some family friends. It is not sponsored by SJV, but we have been told they are intending to use the money to help with the costs of hiring nannies and for education costs. If you are interested in contributing to their Go Fund Me it is https://gofund.me/dcdf79bd.
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RUMMIKUB
Tonight - Tuesday, July 25 at 7:00pm in the Social Hall
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We meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month for 3 or 4 games, then finish with the Left, Center, Right dice game. You do not need to know how to play. Both games are simple and quick to learn, and old timers will be happy to help you. Open to everyone! Hope to see you! |
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MOMS MEETUP
Tomorrow - Wednesday, July 26 at 5:45pm - Cinemark, Totem Lake
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Raise your hand if you never get to go to the cinema and are feeling a little nostalgic for a favorite childhood toy... Join us in watching Barbie for the 5:50pm showing. If you are feeling in the mood, go on and wear some pink. We will meet by the self-serve kiosk at 5:45pm, ahead of the 5:50pm showing, to get our tickets. Hope you can make it!
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WOMEN'S BOOK GROUP
Tuesday, August 1 at 7:00pm in the Parish Office
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The first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM, our Women’s Book Group gathers for wine, chocolate, and great conversation. You do not need to read the book to come to the book group. The August book is The Book of Forgiving by Desmond and Mpho Tutu. The book for September is Still Life by Louise Penny.
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LUNCH MAKING FOR THE HOMELESS
Thursday, August 3 at 10:00am in the Social Hall
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We meet every first Thursday of the month. The sack lunches we make are taken to a homeless shelter. All ages are welcome! This is a fun, easy, and fulfilling service opportunity for families. Hope to see you August 3!
We are also making snack packs for New Bethlehem Center. So, if you would like to donate granola bars and fruit cups, we can use them to fill smaller bags.
Can you bake homemade cookies? We would love to have 100 homemade cookies for each of our lunch making days to put 2 cookies in each of the 50 lunches we make. Let Laura know if you want to make some, Lstanger@sjvkirkland.org. Thanks!
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ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Friday, August 4 after the 9:15am Mass
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Anointing of the sick is available every first Friday of the month. Anointing of the Sick imparts consolation, peace, and strength and unites the sick person, in her/his precarious situation and her/his sufferings, with Christ in a profound way. Anyone is welcome to receive an anointing. |
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BLOCK YOUR CALENDARS - NOVEMBER 4 IS BUSY
You want to attend our Gala Dinner & Auction
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Our theme this year is: “You are the Vine, We are the Branches” and we are looking forward to a fun night of good food and good friends – all while supporting the works of SJV.
Some items already donated include: Legos, a beautiful charcuterie board, and wireless rechargeable TV headphones! To help the auction portion be successful, we are urging parishioners to keep an eye out for interesting items during their summer travel. We suggest buying two of something – one for you and another for the auction. Alternatively, request donations from hotels, travel agents, or golfing/parasailing venues that you’ve already purchased or are considering purchasing.
For decorations, we would love it if you could donate your corks and wooden wine boxes. The corks can be deposited in the vase on our welcome table.
Not sure you want to buy a ticket to the Gala? We are looking for volunteers at every level, so those interested in joining an auction committee can contact Ann V. at avandewark@sjvkirkland.org. If you need some guidance on where you would best fit, she can help you decide where you would most enjoy volunteering, and make sure you’re comfortable!
Lastly, don’t forget about our procurement challenge! We encourage participants to approach three businesses for donations, with support provided through prepared letters and strategies. If you didn’t receive your packet with the letter and helpful tips, pick one up at the welcome table. Thank you for everyone’s support at SJV!
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This information was presented in past newsletters. |
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PILGRIMAGE TO SACRED PLACES IN OREGON
August 21-22, a charter bus will take you to Our Lady of Peace Retreat House, Mount Angel Abbey, and The Grotto in Portland. The cost is $300 per person. Register by August 1! Learn more
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Join us Saturday, August 26 after the 5:00pm Mass to learn more about Pope Francis' call to all of us to care for our creation.
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SJV VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
How can you best use your gifts?
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PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL PASTORAL LETTER |
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Archbishop Etienne’s new pastoral letter, Partners in the Gospel: A Pastoral Letter to the Priests and People of the Church in Western Washington, was just released. Read the letter.
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Looking for Ways to Serve Our Community?
Are you interested in discovering a vibrant faith group that serves our local community in meaningful ways? Jesuit Volunteer EnCorps will support you in your commitment! We are a group, ages 40+, that meets monthly in-person. As a program of JVC Northwest, we explore our commitment to values such as social and ecological justice, community, and spirituality. We assist group members to explore volunteer options in our community.
Program begins in September. Apply by August 31 to be included in the opening retreat. Applications are accepted throughout the program year.
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