Newsletter | October 31, 2023

ALL SAINTS & ALL SOULS

ALL SAINTS' DAY

Tomorrow - Wednesday, November 1

All Saints' Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be celebrated at 9:00am and 7:00pm.

ALL SOULS' DAY MASS

This Thursday, November 2 at 7:00pm

During this special Mass the names of our loved ones who have passed in the last year will be read, and a candle will be lit in their honor.

There will be no 9:00am Adoration & Mass on this day.

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Saturday at 4:00pm*

Sunday at 9:00am

Sunday at 11:00am

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

PRACTICE OF FAITH

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled." With these words, Jesus delivers a warning and an instruction, referring specifically to religious habits and practices to make his point. A worshiping community becomes one, if humble enough to allow it, and through this humility, true encounter with each other and with God is experienced.

• Extend the practice of your faith outside the walls of your parish church by praying every day as a family, for a blessed day, a peaceful night, or for those in need.
• When you attend Mass, be mindful of your approach to your fellow worshippers. Are you welcoming? Or are you judging the postures, gestures, and attentiveness of those around you?

We are doing our best to continue to provide a safe space to worship for everyone. Click here to see current COVID safety measures.

Live Stream Mass

*Saturday, November 4 there will be no Reconciliation that afternoon, and Vigil Mass will be at 4:00pm due to the Parish Gala.

STEWARDSHIP

As we continue our focus on Stewardship, your pledge to St. John Vianney allows us to continue the mission to help others encounter Christ. And we do this through our RCIA programs, young adult ministry, religious education, or one of our many small groups.

Why we talk about Stewardship every year:

• Everyone has an innate need to give back to God
• Gratitude starts when you recognize that you have received a gift. What gifts have you received and how can you share those gifts?
• Serving our church helps us encounter more closely the risen Christ
• It makes a difference -- to you, your parish, and our mission as a church

We are grateful for your discernment and ask that you return your pledge form before or during next weekend’s Masses, or make your pledge online using the button below.

GALA DINNER & AUCTION

THIS WEEKEND!

"YOU ARE THE VINE, WE ARE THE BRANCHES"

GALA DINNER & AUCTION

Saturday, November 4 after the 4:00pm* Mass

“I am the Vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.“ John 15:5.

Realizing you have no plans this Saturday evening? Join the fun - attend the auction or volunteer! If you have never been to or served at an SJV auction, it is really a lovely evening, and a beautiful site to see our generous community, through its many parts, come together for a greater purpose - to work in God's vineyard. Our Gala celebrates the spirit of unity that makes SJV so special.

Tickets for the Gala Dinner and Auction are available until 11:59pm tonight, October 31, so purchase now using the button below. Tickets are $100/person and will include hors d’oeuvres and dinner. Note who you would like to sit with (6-8 persons), or we can find a fun table for you. 

More volunteers are needed to serve dinner to help make the evening run smoothly. Come help support our church while having a fun time doing it! Contact Haylie if you have any questions, sec@sjvkirkland.org.

Raffle Tickets are on sale for $50! Purchase them during office hours at the front desk, or the night of the auction.

Top prize is a five-day four-night vacation in the Dominican Republic at a multi-million-dollar villa with beautiful pool and luxurious surroundings for 6 people. Worth over $11,500.  

A BIG THANK YOU to those of you who took part in the online auction held this past week. It was an experiment this year, but we raised $1,231 for the church. If you purchased items, they will be available in the church office starting tomorrow morning and we ask that you pick them up by Friday afternoon. We don’t want them accidentally going home with someone else the night of the auction!

If you missed your chance to bid on some great items, we will have lots more at the auction. Please click on the buttons below to see the Silent Auction Catalog and the Live Auction Catalog. If you can’t make it to the auction, maybe ask someone to bid for you – it is going to be great. If you are volunteering at the auction and you would like a bid number, please email avandewark@sjvkirkland.org, and she will set one up for you or you can ask at check in at night of (but there will be a line to wait through). Remember, the funds raised go to support the parish and its ministries!

*Saturday, November 4 there will be no Reconciliation that afternoon, and Vigil Mass will be at 4:00pm.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT

Thank you for your generous candy donations for our annual Trunk or Treat! We are thankful for our children, our preschool teachers, and the caring community of preschool parents and parishioners who made the event so fun!

OKTOBERFEST

Danke schön! Thank you so much for celebrating with us and supporting the SJV Knights!

We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our hosts, the SJV Knights. Prost to the evening of delicious food, laughter, fun, and togetherness.

ALL SAINTS' SCAVENGER HUNT

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the All Saints' Scavenger Hunt! We had fun learning about some very interesting and memorable Saints. Special thanks to Laura Stanger for putting it all together!

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS BASKETS

THE FOOD DRIVE IS UNDERWAY

The SJV St. Vincent de Paul society will be assembling and distributing food baskets again this year for families in great need. Last year we helped 77 families, distributing over 245 boxes of food! Of course, we would not be able to do this without your help. Over the next several months, we will be collecting non-perishable food items. When you do your own shopping, please consider purchasing some of the items on the food drive schedule for our pantry. Checks (payable to SJV St. Vincent de Paul) or cash donations are always welcome and may be dropped off in the parish office. Thank you for making stewardship a way of life.

Nov 4-5: Cooking Oil, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Mayonnaise, Canned Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Pasta, Mac & Cheese, Top Ramen, Canned Fruit, Coffee (Instant & Bean), Rice, Pancake Mix, Pancake Syrup 

Nov 11-12 Jelly, Peanut Butter, Cooking Oil, Mayonnaise, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Spaghetti Sauces, Pasta, Cake Mix, Frosting, Brownie Mix, Pancake Mix, Syrup, Stove Top Stuffing Mix, 5LB Flour, Baked Beans

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS

Sunday, November 5 at 2:00am

Remember to move your clocks back one hour. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep after the Gala!

YOUTH MIGRANT PROJECT

Saturday, November 18

Our Thanksgiving Day Trip to the Tri-Parish Food Bank for middle and high-schoolers is coming up! We will meet at 7:45am in the SJV parking lot and return by 5:00pm. Please bring diapers to donate to the food bank. Please contact Susan, sweaver@sjvkirkland.org, by November 15 to join us. 

BRIDGE MINISTRY CHRISTMAS PARTY

Saturday, December 2 from 12:00-2:00pm

The Annual Bridge Ministries Christmas Party is returning to SJV! This wonderful event reminds us of the dignity of every human person. We would love your help with prepping, serving, cleaning up, or hosting a table to assist our guests. Please contact Susan, sweaver@sjvkirkland.org, for more information or to volunteer. 

DID YOU KNOW???

OFRENDA (OFFERING)

Altar of the Dead

Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead is traditionally observed on November 1 and 2. It is a Mexican holiday that honors and celebrates the temporary return of the souls of the deceased, who return to the world of the living to be with relatives and nourished by the essence of the food offered to them in the altars placed in their honor. In the celebration of the Day of the Dead, death does not represent an absence but a living presence; death is a symbol of life that materializes on the altar offered.

The altar or offering of the Day of the Dead is one of the most deeply rooted traditions among Mexicans. The celebration of the Day of the Dead dates back to pre-Hispanic times, in which the cult of death was one of the basic elements of culture. When someone died, they were buried wrapped in a petate (bedroll), and their relatives organized a party in order to guide them on their journey to the Mictlán, a portal between life and death. They offered food that they liked in life, with the belief that they could feel hungry on their journey. It was in colonial times that the indigenous celebration was mixed with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints and All Souls.

This year, SJV takes part in the festivities with our Hispanic brothers and sisters in Christ, with our first Ofrenda. Thank you to the Ramirez, Onofre, and Franco families for thoughtfully preparing the Ofrenda for our deceased loved ones.

What do the three levels of the altar mean?

The levels of the altar of the dead represent the strata of existence. Our three-level altar represents the earth, the sky, and the underworld or purgatory. The seven-level altar is considered to be the most traditional; each level symbolizing the steps necessary for souls to rest in peace.

These are the elements that should not be missing in a three-level Day of the Dead offering:

• Images of the deceased, which are placed in the highest part of the altar.
• A cross, which goes next to the images of the deceased.
• An image of souls from purgatory to speed up the deliverance of spirits of the dead in that instance.
• Copal or incense, which serves to purify and clean.
• Arch represents the entrance to the world of the dead and is adorned with flowers, and in some cases fruits.
• Confetti represents the joy of the Day of the Dead.
• Candles represent the guiding light.
• Water reflects the purity of the soul. it also serves for the spirits to quench their thirst. You can also put soap or a towel on the side, so that the deceased can wash.
• Cempasúchil (marigolds) serve as a guide to the spirits in this world.
• Skulls made of sugar, chocolate, or amaranth represent that death can be sweet, and serves as a reminder that death is always among us.
• Seeds and fruits represent the earth.
• Food must be to the liking of the deceased, who can only enjoy them once a year.
• Bread represents the Eucharist.
• Alcoholic beverages, generally shots of tequila, pulque, or mezcal, to toast the arrival of the ancestors.
• Salt is the element of purification. It keeps the body from corruption on its round trip for the following year.
• Another element of purification is the ash cross that serves to purify the spirit of the dead of their pending faults.

What is the purpose of the tapete (rug of sand)

This acts as a welcome mat to pay tribute to those who have already died and started their journey to Mictlán, the portal between life and death. The sand, similar to the ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday, also reminds us that “you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

The celebration of the Day of the Dead takes place on November 1 and 2 and is divided into categories: According to the Catholic calendar, November 1 corresponds to All Saints, a day dedicated to the "little dead" or children, and November 2 to All Soul, that is, to adults.

SCHEDULE CHANGES

Thursday, November 2 is All Souls’ Day. There will be no 9:00am Adoration & Mass that day. We will remember our faithful departed from the past year with Mass at 7:00pm.

Saturday, November 4 is our Gala Dinner & Auction. There will be no Reconciliation that afternoon, and Vigil Mass will be at 4:00pm.

Friday, November 10 is Veterans Day. The church will close after 9:00am Adoration & Mass in observance.

LUNCHMAKING FOR THE HOMELESS

This Thursday, November 2

We meet every first Thursday of the month at 10:00am in the Social Hall. The sack lunches we make are taken to a homeless shelter in Sultan. All ages are welcome! This is a fun, easy, and fulfilling service opportunity for families.

Can you bake homemade cookies? We would love to have 200 homemade cookies for each of our lunch making days to put 2 cookies in each of the 100 lunches we make. Let Laura know if you want to make some, Lstanger@sjvkirkland.org. Thanks!

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

This Friday, November 3 after 9:00am Adoration & Mass

Anointing of the sick is available every first Friday of the month immediately after 9:00am Adoration & Mass. 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 this healing sacrament. We hope you can experience this sacrament with us.

CANDLELIGHT ROSARY PROCSSION

This Friday, November 3 at 7:00pm

Pray with us during our candlelight Rosary procession, every first Friday of the month at 7:00pm in honor of Our Lady.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00pm in Room 8

All who are struggling with the loss of a loved one are welcome to join our Grief Support Group the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm in Room 8. Please contact Dana, 206-371-0803, for more information.

WOMEN'S BOOK GROUP

Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00pm in the Parish Office

The first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM, our Women’s Book Group gathers with wine and chocolate to discuss a book that has been chosen by the group. You do not need to read the book to come to the book group.

November Book:

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.

December Book:

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

January Book:

On a Night of a Thousand Stars by Andrea Yaryura Clark

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS

Begins Thursday, November 9 at 7:00pm via Zoom

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church and are considering becoming Catholic and were either not Baptized or were Baptized in another faith tradition, please talk with Fr. Vu or a member of the parish staff to learn more about the process. If you know of someone who is interested, or has a spark within them, an inkling of becoming Catholic and joining the Catholic Faith Community, please contact the parish office as well.

VETERANS DAY OBSERVED

Friday, November 10

Veterans Day is November 11, but will be observed on Friday, November 10. Weekday Adoration & Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am that day, then the church will close afterward in honor of our Veterans.

REMINDERS

CATHOLIC KIDS' CATECHISM CLUB

No CKCC this weekend, November 5-6 due to Gala cleanup. If your family can help, please email sec@sjvkirkland.org.

Learn more about CKCC

YOUTH GROUP

No Youth Group this Sunday, November 5 due to Gala cleanup. Gala Dinner servers are still needed. If you would like to serve, or help with clean up the next day, please email sec@sjvkirkland.org.

Learn more about Youth Group

SJV VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

How can you best use your gifts?

Learn more

TOLTON

This Friday, November 3 at 7:00pm - Holy Family, Kirkland

The remarkable story of America's First Black priest. Tolton is a powerful multi-media live production, filled with music, drama and inspiring performances. It brings a message of hope and healing for the wounds that plague our culture. 

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR

Saturday, November 11 from 9:00am - 4:00pm at St. Brendan, Bothell

Come shop 100+ craft vendors and enjoy home-baked treats and refreshments for purchase.

A CULTURAL IMMERSION SUMMIT

Saturday, November 11 from 8:30am - 5:00pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Kent

This summit will revolve around the notable keynote speaker, Gloria Purvis, a prominent author. Deacon Mel Tardy will delve into the life and impact of Daniel Rudd, emphasizing his efforts to call the Catholic Church to justice and beyond. The legacy of local Catholic military service members will be honored. The interrelationship between Black Catholic history and Catholic social teaching will be explored through a panel discussion featuring Barbara Anderson, Director of Bellarmine Prep School, Malcolm Nelson, Principal of St. Therese Catholic Academy in Seattle, and Fr. Robert P. Boxie III, Chaplain at Howard University, and more. The day will culminate in a Mass of Praise and Worship, led by Archbishop Paul Etienne, offering participants to come together in faith and gratitude.