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From our Pastor
I should have written this last week. Priests’ Days is a time for all the priests of the Archdiocese to get together and have some time together with prayer, presentations and relaxation. After a morning of listening and sharing with a presenter, there is time in the afternoon for relaxation and play. There are tournaments for golf, ping-pong, bowling, Arizona horseshoes, soccer and just walking on the beach. It is good time for the priests. On the last night, we have a banquet to honor priests who have served for 25, 50, and more years. Also the priests who are attaining senior status or retirement, there is a recognition of the years served in the Archdiocese. It is a fun time and a time for enriching the soul. After retirement, I will continue to take advantage of these days to retain contact with the priests of the Archdiocese and to be refreshed as a human being.
In the Peace of Jesus,
Fr. Dick
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Calendar of the week of June 24 - June 30
Monday, June 24th
Mass, Church 9:00 AM
Rosary, Church 9:30 AM
Tuesday, June 25th
Mass, Church 9:00 AM
Rosary, Church 9:30 AM
Wednesday, June 26th
Adult Basketball , Family Center 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 27th
Mass, Church 9:00 AM
Rosary, Church 9:30 AM
Book Club, Parish Hall 7:00 PM
Friday, June 28th
Mass, Church 9:00 AM
Rosary, Church 9:30 AM
Saturday, June 29th
Funeral, Church 11:00 AM
Funeral Reception, UP All 12:00 PM
Confession, Church 4:00 PM
Mass, Church 5:00 PM– live streamed
Sunday, June 30th
Mass, Church 8:00 AM
Mass, Church 10:00 AM
UPCOMING FUNERALS
Elizabeth Desimone
June 29th @ 11:00 AM
Mary Ellen Bill
July 13th @ 11:00 AM
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We appreciate the support of the fine members of the business community whose ads appear on the back of the printed bulletin and at the bottom of this emailed bulletin. With their generosity we are able to have a printed weekly bulletin at no cost to us from LPi. | |
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Hours: Monday- Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Duties Include:
• Answer incoming phone calls, parish office emails and assist in other light clerical duties; signing Mass cards, checking the mail, send outgoing letters and documents, ordering office and facilities supplies, keeping copy and breakroom stocked, assisting in sending mass mailings during campaigns.
• Data entry using the ChMs including: managing Priests’ and facilities calendar. Record/ update information for new and current parishioners including sacramental records.
• Assist office staff, including facilities, by contacting vendors for any building maintenance or special projects.
• Update, format and edit the weekly paper bulletin for publication.
Benefits Package Include: Medical, dental and vision, sick leave and vacation pay.
Pay Range: $22-24.50/ Hour DOE Email or Call: jeisen@stfoa-parish.org or nhighland@stfoa-parish.org for inquiries/ 206-242-4575.
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ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!
Thank you to all who have responded to the needs of our regional Church by supporting the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal! Our journey as Catholics is not undertaken alone. We are all a part of this one body of Christ and your generosity speaks to the impact that our community can have. Whether it is supporting parish staff through centralized services, supporting seminarian formation and education, or uplifting youth and young adult programs and events, your generosity matters.
We have heard from 211 of our parishioners. For those of you who have not yet contributed, there is still time! You can donate using the QR code on the printed bulletin, fill out a pew envelope, or go online to archseattle.org/GiveACA.
211 families have pledged/given $72,300 to the 2024 ACA
PARISH GOAL: $114,800
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St Francis of Assisi,
St. Vincent de Paul Conference
Helping Neighbors in Need.
Your help is needed in this ministry.
There are various ways to help out.
For more information, please contact Conference President: Pat Pomeroy at 206-280-6115
We collect after Masses the 1st weekend of the month with the exceptions of holiday weekends. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry through your prayers and financial donations.
https://svdpseattle.org/
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Faith Formation
Cheryl Brooten | cbrooten@stfoa-parish.org
The Violent Squall
Lest we forget, the Gospels remind us periodically that life was not all peaches and cream for the followers of Jesus during his earthly lifetime. In this Sunday,’ readings we hear Mark’s version of the storm at sea, giving us some clues about how God works. Jesus’ followers were obeying his command to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. While in route, a sudden squall strikes, threatening to swamp the boats and drown the passengers. Remember, Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen, experienced boat men who knew how to handle themselves in such a situation. No doubt, they tried to manage under their own resources, not wanting to wake up Jesus. And Jesus? He was asleep during a violent, stomach-churning storm!
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Squalls were a frequent bane of fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. The topography around the lake generates quick, vicious and unpredictable storms which were well known to the residents. The fact that the disciples encountered one while following a clear command from Jesus should tell us that just because we are following Jesus does not guarantee smooth sailing in our lives or tasks. And like the disciples in the boat, we may fear that Jesus is sleeping through our difficulties and does not care if we are perishing, especially when we rely on our own resources and abilities until, in surrender, we ask for help. Unlike the gospel however, the help Jesus gives is not always an instant quieting or resolution to our circumstances. Sometimes the situation remains tense, and instead Jesus calms the storm within our hearts.
A storm is brewing in our community life. Our parish will very soon have a new pastor and be joining together with our family of parishes, St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes. For many of us, saying good-bye to Father Dick will be difficult enough. So much of the outcome, how the three communities will merge and work together to become a cohesive unit, is unknown. For parishioners who have been part of this community their entire lives, the transition will likely be especially difficult. We need to remember the same will be true for parishioners of St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes. All of us will be in the same boat, riding out the storm. We must ask Jesus to guide us to our destination and for the faith we will need to trust him with outcome. Each one of us has a part to play, to be engaged with the process, and to be radically welcoming to all. Like the disciples, we must remember to rely not solely on our own resources, but in the power and love of God to help carry us safely to the other side.
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The 12th Sunday in ordinary time.
Life as a Christian, we can face many difficulties. However, with the love of Christ and our trust in him, we can make it. Fear and worry can sometimes paralyze us to the point where it takes our focus away from God. When we hear sad news that we wish we hadn’t, or something has happened to us or family member, we freeze. I know I’ve done this in my life on many occasions. I just freeze and I don’t know what to do, and so I hold my breath and sit in fear. But during that time, and times such as this, we should run right into the arms of Jesus. He is always there, he will never leave us or forsake us.
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In the Gospel today, Jesus says to the disciples, fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What is revealed in the darkness cannot be concealed. Light dispels darkness. Darkness does not dispel light.
Durable Medical Equipment– At this time, we are unable to receive any of your gracious donations. I will let you know when we are able to receive your donations again. Durable medical equipment that we can no longer accept: Bath chairs, commodes, bed pans, front wheel walkers, walkers with wheels and brakes, crutches and foot support scooters. These items are simply unsafe for some people. Most durable medical equipment needs to be prescribed by the physician. We are happy to lend out any of the stationary walkers that we have, as well as canes. We also have some transport wheelchairs that we can loan. Safety is our paramount and primary concern. Anything that is unsafe we will not be able to receive. You are always welcome to donate these items to Saint Vincent de Paul on First Avenue, Value Village on 160th or The Goodwill on 128th.
You remain in my prayers.
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Father’s Ice cream Social
& Dessert Buffet
Sunday, June 23rd from 11 AM to 1 PM
If you are bringing a dessert to share with the community, please bring it around 9 AM Sunday morning the 23rd.
Please just bring small, bite sized desserts as we will be super crunched for space.
I’m so looking forward to seeing what everyone's specialized desserts are, and probably gaining 5 pounds in one day.
It’s going to be a beautiful day. Please remember to bring a small container from home if you would like to bring home a couple treats.
Father has requested that you remember him in your prayers a card, in lieu of gifts. We will have baskets at the event for your most thoughtful cards. -Kathi
We will have a place for you to record video memories for Father Dick on the stage. -Rick
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Mass times effective July 1st - There are no changes. Everything remains the same.
Morning Mass times will remain the same:
Monday - 9 AM Mass –Rosary recitation to follow
Tuesday - 9 AM Mass - Rosary recitation to follow
Wednesday - The church closed - NO morning Mass
Thursday - 9 AM Mass– Rosary recitation to follow
Friday - 9 AM Mass - Rosary recitation to follow
Weekend Mass times will remain the same:
Saturday - 4 PM Confessions - 5 PM Vigil Mass
Sunday - 8 AM Mass - 10 AM Mass
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Every Little Bit Can Help – Donations Needed
Every Little Bit Can Help (ELBCH) is a ministry based at St. Francis of Assisi with an operation that extends beyond parish boundaries. We help our clients create a home using donated furniture and household goods provided for free. We began at St. Martin de Pores shelter, helping men emerging from homelessness, but now will help anyone making a similar life transition. Our clients are referred to us by Catholic Community Services, St. Vincent de Paul parish conferences, as well as by word of mouth. In a busy month, we help 6-8 households.
Whether providing a replacement for a worn-out recliner or furnishing an entire apartment, our aim is to quickly deliver items to fill each client’s particular need.
ELBCH accepts new or lightly used furniture, small appliances, kitchen/dining wares, and other household items. Think "What would I need?” if I was moving into an empty studio or 1-bedroom apartment.
Please call to discuss/schedule a donation pick-up. If you are able, a small donation of $25 is suggested to cover the expenses of pick-up and storage.
CONTACT: Email ELBCHelp@gmail.com or text (or call) Mark Smith at 206-291-8083 regarding donations, for more information about ELBCH or to volunteer.
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At Father's Ice Cream party this weekend on Sunday, June 23 at 11AM.
Be sure to come up on the stage as we will have a video camera set-up for you to relate any messages of love in video form. I will edit these video snippets into a single video for Father to watch during his retirement days. Currently, they will not be posted to YouTube or Facebook, unless Father Dick says it's OK. We will set-up the camera on a tripod in one of the changing rooms up on the stage. The changing rooms are big enough for lots of people and should help minimize the background noise of everything that is going on in all of Unity Place.
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I hope this article gives you some time to think grand thoughts of how Father Dick has impacted your lives and lives of family and children… and you will be able to put that into a concise video note.
I will be walking aimlessly around Unity with my smartphone to record on video who is there and to get the general hubbub and vibe recorded. I plan on editing them into a video and posting it on YouTube and Facebook later that day (or the next day) for those who could not make it.
Pauline collected many photos and put them into photo collages on boards. They are in the Vestibule of the church until the evening of June 22, then they will be transferred down to the Unity 1 stage for the Ice Cream social the next day (Sunday). We will be there on the stage with the video camera, mentioned above. I have taken photos of the boards and built a video of them. I posted it on Facebook and YouTube on Tuesday, June 11. Please look if you haven't already. The individual photos are hard to really see as they are small, so it would be best to look at them in-person. I suppose I could have picked-up a close-up lens and photographed each individual photo. I would still be there today if I had.
Xandria shared two collections of photos from Father Dick and Father Angelovic's 50 years of Ordination with me from Shutterfly. I filtered out some duplicates and put them onto the TV in Unity. There were only more than 500 photos: easy. The TV in Unity will be running the photos during the entire ice-cream fest.
I thought about using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to filter duplicates out, but after using a tool like that, you must review the entire set of photos to see if it did it right anyway. You can't trust AI to understand what you are asking for since you don't know what it understands. A bit like trying to get correct answers from Siri (Apple's voice assistant). AI is not too intelligent yet.
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The Printed Version of the Bulletin
Download and read our printed bulletin in PDF HERE. This one is what you will pickup after Mass when you come to church. It is a bit different than this emailed version which often has last minute updates and text corrections.
If you subscribe to this version, they send you an online version on Wednesday morning.
These links go to the LPi St. Francis' page so you can see some of the ads and visit them and remark how nice they are for supporting our bulletins.
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Stewardship of Treasure
Year to Date Report
July 1 through June 10, 2024
Sunday Goal: $947,680
Sunday Actual: $926,514 ($21,116)
June Goal: $29,880
June Actual: $21,571 ($8,309)
Thank you for your continuous and generous support of St. Francis of Assisi Parish!
God bless you!
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Administration
Personal Note: When I was hired, the parish had $40,000 in savings. Fr. Dick’s leadership has made possible: a new gym, school library, and new (old) church roof, new church furnace, newly updated rectory, and the purchase of two possible houses for future. Most recently, Honor the Past, Protect Our Future Capital campaign will leave the parish debt free. If people honor their pledge, this campaign will provide about $125,000 for future building needs. For general savings, the parish has unrestricted cash of about $110,000.
Annual Catholic Appeal Goal: Last year, the 2023 ACA total was at $85,500. Currently, 211 families have pledged/given $72,300 to the 2024 ACA. If you have not yet made a pledge, people in Western Washington and this parish need your help. Please support the Annual Catholic Appeal. Thank you!
Rectory Update: Except for cleaning of the floors, all the improvements are finished. Heat Pumps installed for priests’ living quarters, a bathroom remodel, interior painting of the pastor’s living quarters, new remodeled bathroom, updated bathroom fixtures, added insulation in the attic, and removal of unneeded furniture. Every Little Bit Can Help took some of these items and rest was recycled.
Fr. Dwight moved into the rectory on June 20 and Fr. Nguyen will move in on June 30.
New Landscaper: Thanks to our parish custodian, Art Rosengren, who knew someone who was just starting their own landscaping business and referred this person to us. We met them last Friday to review the areas of focus and the cost.
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Making Sunday Giving Easier: For fast access use the QR code. Point your smartphone camera to the QR code and say yes or OK.
https://www.stfoa.org/giving
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Life, Justice, and Peace
Ken Gollersrud | stfoa.ljp@gmail.com
St Francis Community: Please take time for some silent prayer while walking in God’s beautiful creation here in Western Washington.
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Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
(Prayer for Peace)
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Father Dick:
Many blessings to you on your retirement. Thank you for your leadership to our faith community for the past 20+ years. There is a great appreciation for your support of Hospitality House over the years, support for St Vincent de Paul, and the Annual Catholic Appeal. We wish you the best. You will be missed in many ways. Your calm steadfast presence and sense of humor will greatly be missed. Let us send Father Dick continuous prayers.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. The Beatitudes
He said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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Life, Justice and Peace meetings:
We meet the 4th or last Monday of the month 7 pm via Zoom.
Email us your thoughts and comments at stfoa.ljp@gmail.com
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DID YOU KNOW?
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a Formed Subscriber, which means all parishioners can stream the videos and programming available for free! Follow the instructions below and use our ZIP code, 98062, to find our parish. Sign up and start watching great Catholic videos and programs for adults and kids.
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Please support our
Little Free Pantry
The Little Food Pantry is located on the west side of the church near the sidewalk. This little pantry has been such a blessing for so many, as we have noticed it being utilized more and more. If you feel so inclined to donate a few items to support our local community in their need, please consider items that don't require cooking such as pop top meals in a can, tuna fish, peanut butter, protein shakes, granola bars, fruit in a pop top can, etc.
Feel free to add the items yourself or drop them off in the parish office. Thank you so much for showing your support and generosity to our neighbors.
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Rachel's Vineyard
Project Rachel offers a compassionate and confidential environment for those who suffer the effects of an abortion.
Find hope and healing after abortion.
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat
August 2-4, 2024-English
October 25-27, 2024-Spanish
For more information about the Project Rachel ministry or our healing retreats, please call Frances at (206) 920-6413
Llame Alejandra at (206) 450-7814
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