ST. 324 NE Oak Street, Camas, WA 98607 Telephone (360) 834-2126 Fax (360) 834-5106 www.stthomascamas.org [email protected] AUGUST 8, 2021

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME MASS SCHEDULE

Sunday Masses Daily Masses Saturday Vigil: 5:00pm Tuesday: 6:00pm Sunday: 8:30am & 11:00am Wed-Sat: 8:30am

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Tuesday after the 6:00pm Mass and Saturday after the 8:30am Mass or by appointment with Fr. Jim

PRIVATE PRAYER The church is open for private prayer Monday through Friday: 9:00am - 4:30pm

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Tuesdays after 6pm Mass until 9:30pm Actively expanding hours; contact office

PARISH OFFICE HOURS Walk-ins welcome Mon-Thu: 9:00am-12:30pm, 1:00-5:00pm By telephone on Fri: 9:00am - noon Closed weekends and holidays

MISSION STATEMENT

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

HIGHLIGHTS:

 Summer Wednesday night movies on the field continue this week on Aug 11. Gather at 7pm, movies start at dusk.  Online registration for fall Faith Formation is open. Please register via the links on the parish website and join us for in-person classes on Sunday mornings beginning in September.

 Brightly Hude art sale! Aug. 14 & 15. See flyer in this bulletin for more information.

 Teen event to celebrate The ! Aug. 15. See flyer in this bulletin for more information.  Save the Date: Altar Server training, Aug. 16 & 17, 9am - 2pm and will include a fun field trip. Open to all boys and girls of the parish who have received their First Holy Communion. Call the office to register for this event.

 Save the Date: Vox Clara (children’s choir) Workshop/Fun Day, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 9am - 3:45pm.

Follow us on Facebook: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church or on Instagram@stthomascamas

1 From the desk of Lorrie Conway PARISH OFFICE (360) 834-2126 Brothers & Sisters in Christ, PASTORAL COORDINATOR ..….….……..Lorrie Conway, ext. 208

I have been reflecting on the Listening Sessions from this past week and PRIEST………………………..….Rev. Jim Mylet, MM, ext. 205 P ASSOCIATE…………...………Ted Meany, ext. 215 the ideas that have been submitted through the Idea Box as well as email ASTORAL PA FOR LITURGY & MUSIC……..Kristin Yoshimura, ext. 212 and mail. Many of the topics that were discussed and shared are areas CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATION...... Denice Twyman, ext. 202 that we know as a parish community are pain-points, for example, not ADMIN ASSISTANT…………..…….... Terese Dayton, ext. 203 having our own priest leadership. Please know that your concerns were MAINTENANCE………………..…..……..Ryan LaFave, ext. 282 heard, and I will always do my best to be transparent about any issues SECRETARY……….………………….Audrey Hockett, ext. 0 concerning the parish, even if I am not able to change it. I want you to OFFICE SECRETARY EMAIL: [email protected] know that I am available and willing to answer any questions you might have and am happy to do so. PARISH WEBSITE: www.stthomascamas.org

The one thing that was very evident is that we have a variety of different topics that we are passionate about, and we do not all agree on how that CALENDAR OF UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS should look for our parish—that is fine! We are not all going to agree, and the important thing is that we care enough about our parish to voice Aug 7&8: Parish Mission - Fr. Paul Weckert, OSB our preferences and work together to create a beautiful, joyful, and Aug 11: Funeral Mass for Bernice Elenor Pluchos welcoming community. Aug 11: Movie on the Field, 7pm

While I was thinking about the differing opinions that were shared at the Aug 14&15 Brightly Hude Art sale, after the Masses Listening Session, it made me think of a recent experience I had. One of the things that Shaun and I create for our farm stand is ice cream made from goats’ milk. I always enjoy creating new and different flavors throughout the season and am constantly thinking about combinations that would be interesting. We recently had a random package of 15 MASS INTENTIONS pounds of avocados show up in our mailbox. It was strange! It was our address, but not our name, so we made several failed attempts to find the Sun Aug 8 8:30am Pro Populo real owner of said avocados, but as they were quickly rounding the bend 11:00am toward guacamole, we finally decided we better use them. In my zeal to Mon Aug 9 No Mass create unique ice creams, I figured when life gives you avocados, you make avocado-lime ice cream. Shaun was skeptical; very skeptical. He Tue Aug 10 6:00pm simply could not wrap his mind around how these two totally different Wed Aug 11 8:30am Susan Morehead † fruits with absolutely nothing in common in texture, flavor, or aroma could Thu Aug 12 8:30am possibly create anything edible let alone desirable, but I had a different Fri Aug 13 8:30am vision. The juxtaposition of their vastly different elements when used in perfect balance created an interesting, unique, and delicious flavor. The Sat Aug 14 8:30am Alex Gehrmann key was to combine the varying components in the correct amounts of 5:00pm Jacques Ourso † each--not too much of one or the other-- and to understand what each of Sun Aug 15 8:30am Pro Populo those ingredients provides to the product to create an irresistible experience. It turned out delicious, Shaun was a converted believer in 11:00am celebrating differences, and the avocado lime ice cream was short-lived in the farm stand!

I mention this experience in hopes that we all can appreciate the unique differences that each of our opinions about our parish offer. It is EǝǠǜǟǩǝǕǞǤ OǠǠǟǢǤǥǞǙǤǩ  wonderful that we are all different and we have different tastes. There is no single preference that is the right preference. When used in perfect Pastoral Assistant for Social Concerns Ministry balance with one another, even when they have absolutely nothing in St. Parish, Vancouver is seeking a person to collaborate with common, they can create an absolutely irresistible experience and isn’t the pastor, the school principal and other pastoral staff to lead and that what we all want; a unique and special experience to encounter empower parishioners in direct service, advocacy, social justice Christ, become disciples and make disciples? Don’t we want our parish education and spirituality. The Pastoral Assistant is a resource to to be so unique and irresistible that it draws people into a closer consultative leadership, the pastoral staff, the school and wider church relationship with Christ? communities to help raise awareness and act for justice, based on respect for life, social justice and Catholic Social Teaching. The As we move forward from the Listening Sessions, I want you to know that Pastoral Assistant will serve as a liaison to social service agencies in the Parish Leadership received summaries of the meetings and will be the community who serve the marginalized. This is a full-time position working with the Pastoral Planning workgroup on evaluating that with salary and benefits according to Archdiocesan guidelines. information and creating recommendations for the Pastoral Council and Bachelor degree required and Master’s degree and experience in parish leadership to use in implementing elements for our parish in living social concerns ministry preferred. out the Pastoral Plan. Application materials are available at https://stjoevan.org/156. Please continue to pray for our parish and those involved in learning from Completed application materials may be mailed to St. Joseph Catholic the Listening Sessions. Church, Attn: Frances Farrell, 6600 Highland Drive, Vancouver WA

In Christ+ 98661 or emailed to [email protected].

Lorrie 2 THE 'S PRAYER INTENTIONS for August MASSES AT ST. THOMAS

Intention for Evangelization - The Church: A general dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation Let us pray for the Church, that She may receive from the Holy continues to remain in place due to the pandemic. Spirit the grace and strength to reform herself in the light of the Washington removed most of its Covid-19 restrictions on Gospel. Jun 30 and the Archdiocese has provided updated guidance. Here is a summary of how this impacts Mass at St. Thomas:

We are so grateful for those who advertise in our bulletin and make General guidance: this publication possible. Please give them your support and business!

 Please stay home if you are not feeling well. This week we want to highlight:

 Please wash your hands frequently. Simms Electric  Please respect the section designated for those who wish to remain socially distanced (in the middle of the right side). Thank you for helping support our parish communications!  Please know that masks are optional but the CDC recommends masks for people who are not vaccinated. AQUINAS GUILD Mass The Aquinas Guild meets the first Wednesday of each month  The 8:30am Sunday Mass will continue to be live streamed for September thru May. Our next meeting is scheduled for September 1, those who cannot be with us in person (visit the parish 2021 at 9:30am in the Parish Hall. Please post your calendars! We Facebook page (an account is not required; recordings are so looking forward to seeing you again in person. We will meet the available on our Vimeo channel). new officers and catch up on all our projects. The Aquinas Guild is all  Holy water is available. the women of St. Thomas Aquinas parish. We are a voluntary  Continue to fill in all available pews from the front of the church association for religious, social and benevolent purposes to serve our so later arrivals do not have to hunt for a space. church and our community. No dues are collected.  Collection will be taken during Mass.  Offertory procession will take place during Mass.  Communion: Coffee Hour snacks, donations welcome! Come forward in two simultaneous lines from each side  We welcome donations of individually wrapped Receive the Eucharist on the hand or on the tongue items (with a reasonable shelf life) for our coffee Precious Blood will not yet be distributed hour; granola bars, fruit snacks, juice boxes, small Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be assisting bags of chips, etc…. Questions, please contact the  Congregational singing is expected to be restored soon. parish office. Thank you! Please help us spread the word!

SǙǣǤǕǢ PǑǢǙǣǘ NǕǧǣ Good news from Uganda! The most recent lockdown was lifted! Can you help provide meals? Travel between districts has opened up, however schools and  churches remain closed. Nyamwegabira Parish continues to give The Outsider’s Inn Meal Train program has food to the elderly and vulnerable in the parish, especially those helped St. Paul Lutheran Men’s Shelter to offer who are unable to farm. If you would like to contribute to relief yearround lodging. The program is a lifesaver efforts, donations can be sent to the office. Please note that it is for those now able to stay off the streets for the Sister Parish. throughout the hot summer months. It provides Upcoming events: August 22 is sister parish Sunday! We will security and an opportunity to save and secure have a second collection for relief aid, and will be available after permanent housing. Mass to share more about our sister parish.  Our next sister parish meeting will be in the parish hall August Here is the signup link to bring meals for the 25th at 11:30am. All are welcome. months ahead beginning August 1st:https:// August 28th at 8:00pm, we are hosting a vigil in solidarity with www.mealtrain.com/trains/04435v/updates/.  our sister parish to pray for vulnerable communities around the world. We hope you will join us in the field for this hour of prayer. Thank you for your continued care and concern, Please contact the office if you have any questions. and for sustaining this vital program!

3  

             Once a year, as part of the Missionary Cooperative Plan throughout the United States,  each parish in the diocese welcomes a member or an associate of a religious community involved in  missionary work.   Fr. Paul Weckert, O.S.B., is a priest of the Benedictine Order at St. Martin’s Abbey in Lacey, WA and is this year’s representative who will share A book discussion with Fr. Jim with you some of the work of AIM USA. They have formed an alliance between 140 US and Canadian Starting on August 25 at 9:30am & 27 at 7:00pm with over 400 Benedictine and (two options per week) Cistercian monasteries in Africa, Asia, the  Caribbean and Latin America. These Benedictine and Cistercian women and men form centers of In reading through Vesper Time (Evening Prayer), we will use prayer, education, health and agriculture in some the book as a springboard to help us to listen to what our lives of the poorest regions of the world. Please respond to this appeal with openness and have to tell us, sifting out the chaff, watching for the quick glint generosity.  of flames, and clinging to what has nurtured our growth. The spiritual practice of growing older involves examining our lives Fr. Paul came to the monastic life at St. Martin’s Abbey at age 41 in the fall of 1988. Becoming a monk, Fr. and embarking on a journey inward. Aging is about living into Paul professed simple vows in 1990 and solemn our memories, about seeking their meaning, and about accept- (perpetual) vows in 1993. He received BA degree in ing and being kind to them. Spirituality is seen as encountering Religious Studies in ’93 from St. Martin’s College (now the signs of God’s presence among us. Prayer along these lines University). He began his theology studies at Mt. Angel Seminary, St. Benedict, OR in 1993 where he received is the openness to God’s presence in everything we do. The a MA in Theology in ’96 and an MDiv. in ’97. During the work we do is to be simply our love for Jesus put into action. 1998/99 school year he did postgraduate studies in Monastic Studies (Spirituality) a St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. In 1998 Fr. Paul was ordained a deacon So in our time together, we will share our own life stories while and on June 5, 1999 he was ordained a priest by reflecting on the book and see how God lurks in these stories. Archbishop Alexander Brunett in the church at St. Martin’s Abbey. From May 1999 to the following year Hopefully through our individual reflections, we will find an in- he was Vocation Director and Novice Master for his sight into self that connects the events, dreams, and relation- in Lacey. Beginning in 2000, and for three ships that make up our existence. Life must be lived forward but years, he was a Parochial Vicar at St. Parish, can only be understood backwards, and this is truly our experi- Olympia. From 2003 to 2005 he was pastor of St. James Parish in Vancouver, WA where he also ence of faith. (Descriptive excerpts taken from book review by ministered to the Vietnamese community of south west Frederic & Mary Ann Brussat) Washington. In 2005 he was called home to his monastery to be Vocation Director. After a few years,

he returned to parish work spending one year in both Sign up so we can have a book ready for you! Call the parish Parish in Battle Ground and St. Michael’s office or sign up online via our website: https:// Parish in Olympia, finally three years at St. Columban in stthomascamas.org/122 Yelm. He is now in residence at St. Martin’s Abbey and once again Vocation Director.

4 JV EnCorps Recruitment Postings: 202122

Looking for Ways to Serve Our Community? Jesuit Volunteer EnCorps, a program of JVC Northwest, facilitates fulfilling opportunities for service, community, and spiritual formation for adults 50+ who are committed to social and ecological justice. In addition to part-time volunteer service, members meet monthly online or in-person, creating spiritual community through shared reflection. Our values are rooted in the Catholic Ignatian tradition, and JV EnCorps is an inclusive and welcoming community of folks from all faith perspectives. Already engaged in service through your parish ministry or a local nonprofit organization? JV EnCorps could be the perfect way for you to add additional support, reflection, and personal growth to your current volunteer service. Learn more about what JV EnCorps service is like: JV EnCorps Spotlight: Patty Christopher (Bend, OR) JV EnCorps Letter: Jay Lyman (Portland, OR) Program begins in September. Applications accepted throughout the year. For more info and to apply, visit www.jvencorps.org.

5 6 Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith Clare hoped to free people from the chains of societal conformity. will deepen and growNa day at a time. Clare chose to do it within the confines of a cloister; Gaspar, as an itinerant preacher. Both were being true to themselves and the gospel. Sunday, Aug 08, 2021 Follow your own path toward hope. NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME TODAY'S READINGS: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 18:15-20 Let living water flow (415). “His eyes were undimmed and his vigor unabated.” Jesus said, "Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to Thursday, Aug 12, 2021 one of these little ones to drink" will be rewarded (Matt. OF JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL, RELIGIOUS 10:42). How much more so if we champion clean water rights for all. Love lifted her higher Have you ever tried to run a bath, only to have sludge emerge from the Jane Frances de Chantal, a French widow who founded the Visitation pipes? Have you visited a familiar lake and found its normally clear in 1610, was a well-off, educated woman with administrative talent water unfit for swimming? Have you gotten sick from drinking from a and deep faith who was widowed at age 28. Obliged to live with a cruel contaminated spring, or developed a rash from washing in your own father-in-law, she coped by pouring herself into charity work and spiritual sink? Folks around the world and in parts of our own country have had development, eventually teaming up with Saint to found this experience often. Take time to learn what you can do locally and a religious community. Have you ever coped with difficulties by trying to globally to ensure access to what Pope Francis calls a “basic and become a better person? What trial in your life could nudge you toward universal human right"—safe drinking water. greater goodness? TODAY'S READINGS: 1 Kings 19:4-8; Ephesians 4:30—5:2; TODAY'S READINGS: Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17; Matthew John 6:41-51 (116). “ looked and there at his head was a 18:21—19:1 (416). “Moved with compassion the master of that hearth cake and a jug of water.” servant let him go and forgave him the loan.” Monday, Aug 09, 2021 Friday, Aug 13, 2021 MEMORIAL OF TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS, MEMORIAL OF PONTIAN, POPE, AND HIPPOLYTUS, , MARTYR PRIEST, MARTYRS Pick up a page-turner of faith What unites is greater than what divides Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was born in 1891 and and Hippolytus were both imprisoned in Sardinia during was killed at Auschwitz in 1942. She was a German Jewish Roman persecutions. Before their deaths in 235, Pontian and Hippolytus philosopher who had been an atheist, although she had admired reconciled, because for a time the two were archenemies. Indeed, Christians she knew. She shocked everyone by becoming Catholic Hippolytus had been elected antipope by his followers who were in stark and, 11 years later, a Carmelite . Her conversion was prompted by opposition to Pontian’s tolerant stance on reconciling returning Christians an all-night reading of the autobiography of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a to the church. In the end, Pontian and Hippolytus realized that their 16th-century Carmelite also of Jewish origins. Pick up a copy of the shared love of Christ far surpassed any differences. Finding one common autobiographies of both these riveting —and see how they element with an enemy is the first step toward reconciliation. Perhaps we contribute to your own ongoing conversion. can start with our shared humanity and work our way from there. TODAY'S READINGS: Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Matthew 17:22- TODAY'S READINGS: Joshua 24:1-13; Matthew 19:3-12 (417). “I 27 (413). “And they were overwhelmed with grief.” gave you a land that you had not tilled and cities that you had not Tuesday, Aug 10, 2021 built, to dwell in.” FEAST OF LAWRENCE, DEACON, MARTYR Saturday, Aug 14, 2021 Find your way to serve MEMORIAL OF , PRIEST, MARTYR Lawrence was one of seven deacons martyred in under Give a piece of your heart Emperor Valerian in 258. The word deacon—from the Greek word for Maximilian Kolbe shook up the rules for saint-making. At Kolbe’s 1982 service—describes the work of these early ministers: beginning with , Pope John Paul II named him a “martyr of charity.” No the first seven deacons mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, longer could one become a martyr only by being killed because of appointed to serve the everyday needs of the flock while the apostles “hatred for the faith.” Now one killed because of charitable work, as busied themselves with evangelization. Today’s Catholic deacons are Maximilian was, could also be a martyr. This opened the door to ordained; permanent deacons can preach at Mass and preside over sainthood for others who were murdered for their good work, like Notre weddings, Baptisms, and funerals—while transitional deacons later Dame Sister Dorothy Stang of Brazil, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ become priests. Learn more at .org. sisters of Liberia, or the Maryknoll sisters of El Salvador. We are all TODAY'S READINGS: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:24-26 called in some way to be martyrs, even if we give away only a part of our (618). "Where I am, there also will my servant be." lives. Give away a piece of your life today. Wednesday, Aug 11, 2021 TODAY'S READINGS: Joshua 24:14-29; Matthew 19:13-15 (418). MEMORIAL OF CLARE, VIRGIN “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Hope lights the way Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Saint Clare, founder of the Poor Clare order of nuns, is part of a long line of women and men who gave up everything for the sake of ©2021 TrueQuest Communications. TakeFiveForFaith.com; following Christ, and, in turn, inspired others to join them on their holy [email protected]. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reprints journey. Often meeting significant resistance, these brave souls permitted with the following credit: Reprinted with permission from persevered, driven by a passion to bring God’s Good News to the TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible world. “Like a shooting star against the dark sky of injustice and Revised Edition. For more information about TAKE FIVE and our regular ignorance, founders of religious communities lit up the landscape with contributors, go to PrepareTheWord.com. Free daily email and app a burst of hope,” says Precious Blood Father Joe Nassal. Saint available online at TakeFiveForFaith.com/subscribe. Gaspar, the founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, like 7 Hard to say ... easy to work with! American Marble & Carolyn A. Simms Granite Granite ♦ Marble ♦ Quartz Attorney 360-833-9905 503.281.0752 360-833-2174 www.anctilheating-cooling.com Business/Corporate Law • estate pLanning • reaL estate www.american-marble.com

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