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Greetings | Congratulations | VBS | Slave, servant or friend?
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From our Pastor
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is almost over. Those who have been involved have been going to classes since September. They were baptized or received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Some of them, who were already baptized, did not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation because I forgot to ask permission of Bishop Schuster to Confirm them at the Easter Vigil. Those who were baptized that night did get Confirmed. I did not have to get permission to Confirm them. Anyway, we finally got permission. Our classes will end by next week. The Feast of Pentecost is on May 19. I thought it would be a wonderful Feast day for Confirmation. It is the day that the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles to gift them with the grace to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to the world. That is what the Sacrament of Confirmation does for all of us who have been Confirmed. Please pray for those who are being Confirmed. Pray that the Holy Spirit will come upon them and fill them with the fervor of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Welcome Father Paul Thanh Duc Vu
A brief biography of Father Paul Vu Duc Thanh, SDD. Full Name: Paul Vu Duc Thanh Date of Birth: June 29, 1963. Place of Birth: Da Nang, Vietnam. Coming to America: 1993. Tu life: Joined the Overseas Congregation of the Lord's House in 2013. First commitment in 2015. Permanent commitment in 2021. Ordained as a Deacon in 2022. Ordained as a Priest in 2023. Education: 1996- 2002: Studied English and Graphic Art at Mission College, CA. 2007-2013: Graduated from Philosophy at Dominican Academy, Vietnam. 2009-2013: Graduated from Theology at Dominican Academy, Vietnam. Pastoral Work: 2016-2017: Parish teacher. Helping parish at St. Joseph Parish, Grand Prairie, Dallas, TX. 2022-2023: Deacon. Helping parish at St. Joseph Parish, Grand Prairie, Dallas, TX. 2023-Present: Vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Seattle, WA.
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Calendar of the week of May 6 - May 12
Monday, May 6th
Mass, Church 9:00 AM
Rosary, Church 9:30 AM
School Clubs, UP1 3:00 PM
CYO, Family Center 3:30 PM
OCIA, Parish Hall 7:00 PM
Tuesday, May 7th
Mass, Church 9:00 AM
Rosary, Church 9:30 AM
Quilters, UP3 10:30 AM
School Clubs, Parish Hall & UP1 3:00 PM
CYO, Family Center 3:30 PM
Knights of Columbus, Parish Hall 7:00 PM
Scouts, UP1,2 7:00 PM
Wednesday, May 8th
School Clubs, Parish Hall & UP2 2:15 PM
CYO, Family Center 3:30 PM
Choir, Church 6:00 PM
Adult Basketball , Family Center 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 9th
Mass, Church 9:00 AM
Rosary, Church 9:30 AM
St. Joseph’s Circle, UP3 10:00 AM
CYO, Family Center 3:30 PM
School Clubs, Parish Hall & UP1 3:00 PM
Music Theory, Parish Hall 5:30 PM
Pastoral Council , Parish Hall 7:00 PM
Friday, May 10th
Mass, Church 9:00 AM
Grandparents Day, Family Center 9:15 AM
Rosary, Church 9:30 AM
School Mass, Church 10:45 AM
CYO, Family Center 3:30 PM
Saturday, May 11th
Confession, Church 4:00 PM
Mass, Church 5:00 PM– live streamed
School Auction, Hyatt Regency 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 12th
Mass, Church 8:00 AM
Mass, Church 10:00 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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YOUR ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL GIFT IS VITAL
Thank you to all those who have made a gift to the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal.
Your support is vital for building up the future of our Church, whether it is through our youth and young adult ministries, teaching the faith and sharing in the beauty of the Gospel, or providing our priests and staff with training, including administrative services needed to support our parish.
If you have not yet made your gift, please consider the message sent from our pastor in support of the Annual Catholic Appeal. For your convenience, use the envelope in the pew, scan the QR code, or go online to make a gift to the appeal. Consider pledging over multiple months to be able to give your best gift and support our parish in funding our parish project. parish for our parish project which is repairing the church dome. The repairs would restore the pulley system that changes the lights in the dome and add new pads to the metal leavers that clang on a windy day.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Rosemary Leifer | rleifer@stfoa.org
The St. Francis of Assisi School Live Auction and Gala is next Saturday, May 11th. It’s our school’s largest fundraiser and a wonderful event. If you don’t already have tickets to the live event, we invite you to participate in our online auction. It opens on Wednesday, May 8th, at noon, and closes Sunday, May 12th, 5:00 PM. A link to the online auction will be on our school website.
Each year, as part of our auction, we raise money to fund a particular school need. This year, the money donated to our fund-a-need will establish the Fr. Richard Hayatsu St. Francis of Assisi School Scholarship Fund. Fr. Dick has always been a big supporter of our school. We want to recognize and honor his support of and service to the Church, our parish and our school. Money from his scholarship fund will help families that truly want- but could not otherwise afford - to send their children to our school and provide them with a high-quality, Catholic education. Please consider donating. Envelopes can be found in the pews or you can go to our website to donate online. Your gifts will change lives and honor Fr. Dick’s amazing legacy. Thank you for your generosity and support.
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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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CATECHISM NOTES
Catherine Szeibert| cszeibert@stfoa-parish.org
Congratulations to all the second graders who received their First Holy Communion this weekend! We are overjoyed that you are now able to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, uniting yourself to Jesus and His Church. Jesus gives himself to us in the form of bread to strengthen us, be close to Him, and to enjoy Him! The Eucharist is a miraculous opportunity to interact with God and be one with Him.
What are the effects of receiving Eucharist? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) lists many:
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-It cleanses and separates us from sin (CCC 1393-1395, 1436,1846)
-It commits us to the poor (CCC 1397)
-It communicates the mystery of the communion of the Holy Trinity (CCC 950)
-Establishes the community of believers (CCC 805, 1396, 2637)
-Gives us a foretaste of future life (CCC 1000, 1326, 1402, 1419)
-Helps us grow in Christian life (CCC 1392, 1397, 1644)
-Increases the grace received at Baptism (CCC 1392)
-It's a source of conversion and penance (CCC 1436)
-It is spiritual food (CCC 1212, 1275, 1436, 2837)
-Transforms us through Christ (CCC 1074)
-Unites us with Christ (CCC 790, 1003, 1391)
-Unites us with Christians (CCC 1398)
-Unites us with the heavenly liturgy (CCC 1370)
-We get to participate in Christ's sacrifice (CCC 1322)
These are amazing effects of the Eucharist! We are so happy that you are now more united to Jesus Christ and all faithful believers. It is truly a gift and so very fitting that the word "Eucharist" comes from the Greek word "eucharistia," which means "thanksgiving." Thank you God for giving us your Body and Blood! I pray that we not take your sacrifice for granted, but rather, help us receive you into our hearts worthily, faithfully and frequently.
Amen!
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Faith Formation
Cheryl Brooten | cbrooten@stfoa-parish.org
Slave, servant or friend?
In the readings from this Sunday’s gospel, we hear Jesus telling his disciples that they are no longer servants, but friends, if they do what he commands them. The word used in Greek for servant is doulos, which can also be translated as slave. Jesus is describing three manners of relating to him as followers. We choose our own relationship status with God by how we respond to the demands of discipleship.
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At first, we might be tempted to think that being a slave of God is commendable. Afterall, slaves act in complete obedience to what is commanded by the master. They do not consider their own will, when responding to what is required, but only doing what they have been instructed to do. However, the word slave has a negative connotation as well because often a slave only obeys out of fear of punishment. Servants have more freedom; thus, they voluntarily stay under the direction of the master. Their service also accomplishes the will of another, rather than their own. The servant may be motivated however by the desire for reward. If the reward is deemed insufficient, the servant moves on. Both a servant and a slave of God, then, while doing the will of God, have mixed motives for compliance. They also do not expect nor attempt to understand why the commandments have been given.
A friend, however, chooses to keep the commandments out of love of God. As a friend we are very much aware we have a choice of whether to follow God and desire to maintain our friendship because of love. We offer much more of ourself to God when love is the motivation for following his will and striving to do our best for him. Jesus invites all of us to become friends, to move beyond a fear of judgment and hell, beyond a desire to be rewarded by God for good behavior. In love, we may not always see the full purpose of God’s commandments, however, we can trust they exist for our well-being and goodness; even as we probe, question, and ponder. By choosing to be a friend of God, we experience true freedom to follow him in love.
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Liturgy - In the Gospel for the sixth Sunday of Easter, we learn that God‘s love is impartial. What a beautiful gift is that. God shows no partiality among people. His love is for all, as shown, when the Holy Spirit fills everyone listening to Peter; regardless of being Jew or gentile, man or woman.
I reflect personally on how I might learn from this Gospel, reading about being impartial, non judgmental and unconditionally loving in my own thoughts or actions .
An additional theme for today’s reading, is that God is loving, compassionate, and healing. We, too, are called to be loving; as well as pure and holy. That’s quite a tall task.
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The readings speak of leprosy, a disease that is now curable; but at the time was seen as a punishment for sin. How very tragic and painful for all those people afflicted and affected. Sad !
The belief was that either the leper, or one of the family, had offended God in some way. The first reading reveals the requirements imposed upon the lepers. They were to make themselves physically unattractive, so that people would know that they were unclean. They were to live apart and outside the city walls. They were even sentenced to indefinite exile from their community of Worship. Because of their disease, they were separated from their loved ones and God. What an absolutely unconscionable and disgusting punishment that occurred at the hands of man.
These decisions were made by man, and absolutely, not God. Please always remember that our Lord is compassionate, faithful, loving , caring; and absolutely wants the very best for you , in all ways, always!
I can think of other diagnoses that we have seen in recent times, over the years, that people have seen in a similar light. I assure you, without question, our Lord is not punitive. He is loving, kind, forgiving, compassionate and caring. As we talked earlier, the theme for this week is about God‘s loving compassion and healing. We too, are called to be loving as well.
With our words, behaviors and actions we can help our friends and family heal; from unkindness or fear that they may have experienced at the hands, or words, of others.
Our words matter! Being aware of what we are saying or sharing with others, and what tone we are using when we share, can cause others to feel sad or uncomfortable. I try. I’m not always successful, but I do try to reflect on what I am going to say before I say it. My most sincere intention is to never cause someone’s feelings to be hurt by my words or actions.
Please remember that the Psalmist reflected on the joy. In acknowledging and repenting of our sins. We can remain confident in our Lord’s mercy and forgiveness.
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Upcoming Events
May 4th - 5 PM Mass - First Holy Communion. Dress rehearsal at 3 PM.
May 5th - Ms. Auxier and the choir, and following the 10 AM Mass - coffee and donuts hosted by our First Graders.
May 10th - Grandparent’s Day Mass at 10:45 . Students and the Grandparents will be attending this beautiful and memorable traditional Mass at STFOA.
May 11th & 12th - Mothers Day
Liturgical Environment Designers - We will meet Friday, May 17th to remove the Easter Environment and create the environment for Pentecost. We will meet at 10 AM in the church. Thank you in advance for your support and help.
May 18th and 19th - Pentecost– Please wear clothing red or gold colors to celebrate Pentecost . Each of you will be a part of our liturgical environment and it will be beautiful.
June 4th - 1:45 PM - Baccalaureate Mass
June 6th - 4PM - 8th Grade Graduation- Reception to follow
June 7th - 10 AM - noon - Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
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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 well beyond parish boundaries. For more than six years, we have been helping our clients create a home using donated furniture and household goods provided for free. Our clients are referred to us by Catholic Community Services, St. Vincent de Paul parish conferences, as well as by word of mouth. In 2023 and 2023 we helped an estimated 210 households, averaging more than 8 deliveries per month. 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. We began at St. Martin de Pores shelter, helping men emerging from homelessness, but now will help anyone making a similar life transition or simply in need and short of the means to help themselves. Households range from a single adult to small family groups of 1-2 adults, and 1-4 children.
ITEMS NEEDED
At this time our inventory furniture and household items is very low, and we need your help to replenish it. ELBCH accepts new or lightly used furniture, small appliances, and other household items. Think “What would I need?” if I was moving into an empty studio or 1-bedroom apartment.
Here is a list of items that are always needed.
Furniture
LOVESEATS (no sleeper sofas), EASY CHAIRS, RECLINERS
CHEST OF DRAWERS (Small to Medium)
DINING TABLES (Small or Medium) & CHAIRS
END TABLES, COFFEE TABLES, LAMPS (STANDING & TABLE)
Clean Cookware - FRYING PANS, POTS & PANS WITH LIDS, BAKEWARE
Clean, Working Small Appliances - MIRCROWAVES, TOASTERS, CROAK POTS, COFFEE POTS
Working TVs - FLATSCREEN TELEVISIONS w/ remote and power cord
Dining - DISHWARE (3 place settings or more), SILVERWARE, DRINKING GLASSES, MUGS, SERVING DISHES
Bath - BATH & HAND TOWELS, WASHCLOTHES
Miscellaneous - KITCHEN GARBAGE CANS & BAGS, WASTE BASKETS, DISH DRAINERS, BROOMS, DUST PANS
Sleeping - CLEAN SINGLE OR DOUBLE (FULL) MATRESSES (no stains or tears), BOX SPRINGS & BED FRAMES
Please call to discuss/schedule a donation pick-up. If you are able, a small donation of $25 is suggested to cover the expense of a pick-up.
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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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.
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 April 21, 2024
Sunday Goal: $815,775
Sunday Actual: $817,762 + $1,987
April Goal: $60,750
April Actual: $56,153 ($4,237)
Thank you for your continuous and generous support of St. Francis of Assisi Parish!
God bless you!
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Administration
Annual Catholic Appeal Refund for Parish Project: for years now, if a light burns out in the light fixture in the church dome, we cannot replace it. The light fixture cable will not move. The levers in the church dome move back and forth on a windy day. The pads are gone. When it is windy, the levers clang, metal hitting metal. The repair project glues new pads on them.
Rectory Needs Updating: We knew that Fr. Dick’s living quarters needed new carpets and a fresh coat of paint. And we knew we needed to add air conditioners in the living quarters. What we did not take in consideration were the bathrooms and the kitchen. Ed Foster, Director for the Archdiocesan Office of Property and Construction, came for a visit. He wants us to update the kitchen. One of the bathrooms needs a bathtub, not just a shower. We hope to finish the bathroom that needs the upgrade before July 1.
Year to Date Financial Reports: The monthly and year to date numbers may seem to have increased by a lot. Because of the timing, when this report is due by the bulletin company, I made an estimate. Happily, I underestimated the actual giving.
The Safety and Facilities Committee meets on May 7 at 6:30pm (Zoom)
The Finance Council meets on May 14 at 7:00PM (Zoom). The council will review two or three options for the new 2024-2025 Parish Operating Budget.
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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
Allen Tlusty | stfoa.ljp@gmail.com
Greetings fellow parishioners. Render unto Cesar that which is Cesar’s. Now that tax season is for the most part over and most of us have paid our share of taxes, Cesar’s coffers (our government treasury) should be bountiful and overflowing. But that’s not the case! Since October 1st, 2023, which is the start of our government’s current fiscal tax year, and as of March 31st, 2024, our treasury has taken in 2.19 trillion dollars, but has spent 3.25 trillion dollars, creating a deficit of 1.06 trillion, and making our nation debt 34.59 trillion dollars.
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Social Security and Medicare are a whole different story. Since those funds are deducted from wages and earnings, as long as we have people working, we’ll have those benefits. The only caveat is the number of people working and paying into the system. It’s been estimated that before baby boomers started retiring, there was a 3:1ratio of workers supporting retirees’ benefits. With the baby boomer retirements, the ratio has flipped, i.e. 1 worker is paying for 3 retirees. It’s estimated that there is a surplus of baby boomer contributions that will last for another 4-5 years. After that, benefit levels will have to be adjusted. In short, with the huge national debt and Social Security and Medicare financial situation, taxes must be increased, and retirement benefits will need to be adjusted. As it is, many people are facing insufficient retirement savings and are financially unprepared to retire. In addition, there is the so called “sandwich generation” dealing with the costs of raising families and caring for aging parents simultaneously. Our society and our leaders need open discussion to address these problems.
Another issue we need to address is wealth transfer. The US tax code allows individuals to transmit large sums of wealth without federal estate tax to heirs; technically referred to as the “step up basis.” The step-up basis allows appreciable assets to be valued at market price upon the date of death. This can go on for generations, and some appreciated assets, especially real estate, may never be taxed. This intergenerational wealth transfer is underway with the baby boomer generation leaving 63% or 53 trillion in assets to their heirs. The situation may be tolerable if a rising tide were lifting all boats, but it seems it is only lifting yachts. It’s estimated the top 10% richest people in our society own 80% of US wealth and that the richest 85 people in the world own half of all wealth. The unintended consequences of the wealth transfer impact various aspects of our economy, such as housing, education, healthcare, labor markets, and politics. In addition to war, we are experiencing the disparity fallout.
We need peace, tax reform, enforce anti-trust laws, and serious debate addressing these issues. Also, good leadership would certainly help.
Proverbs 29:18: Where there is no vision, the people will perish.
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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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Technology Outreach
Rick Fleehart | rfleehart@stfoa-parish.org
This last week (April 25- 29 – Remember bulletin deadlines) was the busiest I have been in a long time. Even busier than Holy week. On Thursday, April 25, we were in Wenatchee watching our granddaughter in a Pippi Longstocking play. We left there early Friday so I could live stream the memorial service for Lois Mullarky that started at 4pm. The Service was interesting in that it was not a Mass, although there were Readings, the Gospel, and Father's Homily. Two eulogies were said. I'm not sure if I have ever heard of two eulogies. A very nice way to remember someone from two points of view. Good thing there was no reception after the service as it would been a Black-Tie event with expensive dinner food and wine.
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The next Saturday, I met with the Life, Justice, and Peace group at Key Bank to record in photos and video of the Burien Clean Sweep event. It rained cats and dogs 10 minutes before the sweep started but held-off to a meow during the event. I walked around and filmed the teams picking up garbage, but at least one team found needles. Toward the end of my wandering, I was greeted warmly by our mayor and other council members. Afterwards I went home and edited the media into a thrilling, but short, video that I posted on Facebook and YouTube. Go watch the video to guess who our mayor is (hint: his first name is Kevin).
That same Saturday, at 5pm, Laurie and I live streamed the Vigil Mass. It was First Communion, so the place was aquiver with excitement. We also had a busload of folks from Costa Rica on their way back from a mission trip to Alaska. A lot going on that Saturday! This Saturday (May 5) will be the second First Communion. Be there or watch it online.
The next day, which was Sunday, I recorded Terry's talk about the Annual Catholic Appeal at the 10AM Mass. Soon afterwards I added titles and the pre-recorded video with Terry and her brother. I posted them onto Facebook and YouTube before lunch. What a great talk and a great combined video. Be sure to watch it, it is always on our YouTube and Facebook pages.
The next day, which, I think was Monday, I live streamed the Funeral Mass of Rosemary Sivak that began at 11am. This was closer to a "normal" funeral, but funerals are never "normal" in that a loved person has passed away and that never feels normal.
Wednesday, I recorded (not live streamed) the crowning of Mary. I then did some fancy bit-moving and editing of the video and audio and posted it to the same places. Father's mic was left on after he finished Mass so he was talking to Kathi and transmitting it everywhere. I had to remove that part of the audio. I had posted a video to both YouTube & Facebook with his talking, then Laurie alerted me of the transmitted transgression. The M1 Mac Mini in the choir loft made short work of editing the audio and re-building of the video.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@StFrancisofAssisiBurien/live
Facebook: www.facebook.com/STFOAPARISHBURIEN/
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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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PRAYER WORKS
In times of joy and sorrow we find ourselves reaching out to God. Sometimes we feel the need of a little extra prayer support. Our Prayer Ministry is designed to give anyone who desires the opportunity for others to pray for their needs. The process is simple. Use the request button below to submit your prayer request. Your intention will remain within the privacy and confidentiality of the prayer team ministers unless you request otherwise.
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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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