Transition Express News
May 26, 2022

TRANSITION EXPRESS NEWS

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and Answers from Recent Decree for 
Pope Saint John XXIII Parish in Tacoma

Fr. David Mulholland, current pastor of St. Rita of Cascia, and Fr. Tuan Nguyen, recently named pastor of the new parish – Pope Saint John XXIII, understand there are some questions due to the recent mailings you received from Archbishop Etienne. We want to provide the following Q & A to minimize confusion on what is happening next.

Q. Will the parish of St. Rita of Cascia be closed?

A. St. Rita will be merged into the new parish at the end of the day on June 30, 2022. It will no longer be a stand-alone parish.

Q. Will there continue to be Noon Masses on Wednesday at St. Rita?

A. The remaining scheduled Noon Mass is on June 8.


Q. How do I schedule a funeral?

A. If needed between now and June 30, contact Fr. David Mulholland at St. Patrick. If needed after June 30, please contact Pope Saint John XXIII Parish (253-472-1360) or the parish where you choose to register.

Q. What will happen with St. Rita Church and rectory?

A. Any potential use of these buildings will be decided by Fr. Tuan Nguyen, who will consult with parish leadership on all such decisions, with final approval from the Seattle Archdiocese.

Q. What happens to St. Rita’s statues and relics?

A. Fr. Tuan and his leadership team will review options. This will be a process where items will be defined and allocated to the greatest good and need.

Q. What is happening to Visitation Parish?

A. Visitation Parish, along with its Visitation STEM Academy, will merge with the new parish. The boundaries of the new parish will encompass those of all the merged parishes. The school will change its name and eventually move when Pope Saint John XXIII Parish campus is ready.


Q. What happened to Holy Rosary?

A. Holy Rosary was merged into St. Ann Parish on July 1, 2021. It is also part
   of the new parish of Pope Saint John XXIII as of July 1, 2022.

Q. Why is there a new name if the parish is located at St. Ann Church?

A. Because this is a new parish, it needs to reflect the vision of this new parish. The Archbishop and leaders from all five parishes discerned the new name to reflect the transformation taking place today. In 1962, Pope Saint John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council, which began the renewal and transformation of the Catholic Church. It seemed a fitting name for this new parish.

Q. How do I get a copy of my sacramental records?

A. All sacramental records from St. Rita of Cascia Parish are now held in the Archdiocese Archives. To request a sacramental record for yourself or your child (under 18), please fill out the Sacramental Record Request form. You can access this form by:
  1. Go to archseattle.org and click on Menu.
  2. Under Archdiocese, click on Archives and Records Management.
  3. Under Get Information, click on Request a Record.
  4. Click on Request a sacramental record for yourself (or your minor child) and then click on the Sacramental Record Request Form.

If you are unsure where/when you celebrated a sacrament, please call 206-382-4352 or email archives@seattlearch.org for assistance.


Q. If I am currently making contributions to St. Rita, what should I do?

A. If you are writing a check to St. Rita, as of 07/01/22, you may contribute to Pope Saint John XXIII Parish or the parish of your choice.

If you are using Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) Online Giving for donations, you need to access your OSV profile and change the parish designation. If you need assistance, please contact OSV at 1-800-348-2886, option 2.

Q. What happens to the monies in St. Rita’s checking and savings accounts?

A. Those accounts and the monies will be transferred to Pope Saint John XXIII Parish. Any noted restricted accounts would be maintained per donor intent.
Background Information
In late 2020, the Archdiocese of Seattle announced a new strategic plan for the Pierce County Deanery, that involves St. Rita of Cascia Parish.

For more information and resources about the strategic planning process visit the Pierce Deanery Strategic Planning page on the Seattle Archdiocese website. Additional information can be found on the St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church website.
St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church
1403 South Ainsworth Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98405

Email | 253-627-4851 | Website