THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST August 8, 2021 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time WELCOME Whether you’re a registered parishioner or first-time visitor, we hope you feel welcome. There are many ways to get involved. If you have any questions, please let one of our staff members know or call the parish office 253-630-0701 MISSION STATEMENT The Catholic Community of St. John the Baptist: Where stewardship is a way of life and the diversity of our gifts is used to answer Christ’s call to proclaim and live the Gospel. Gather in God’s Name, Grow in God’s Time, Go in God’s Spirit FROM YOUR PASTOR Some have asked what I like to do in my free time. I enjoy puttering around the house. Like your previous two pastors, I own my own residence. There is always something to do: something to clean or something to repair or improve. Last week I washed the windows, inside and out. As I was washing the upstairs windows I noticed that the gutters needed cleaning. After that the side walk and driveways needed washing off. The windows were rather dirty. On those wonderful sun- ny days, as rays of light shown through the glass, the dirt was much more obvious. So to in our faith lives. As we draw closer to God we become more aware of sin in our lives. Some of the greatest saints thought they were the biggest sinners. You could say awareness of sin is a good sign. If we were not close to God we would not be attentive to sin (unless you are just plain scrupulous and that’s another issue). Luckily, getting rid of sin is much easier than washing win- dows. God does the work. We just come before God in our need. CONTACT INFORMATION Church/Office: Phone: 253-630-0701 Fr. Bill 25810 156th Ave SE, Covington, WA 98042 Instagram: @sjtbcovington Email: [email protected] Website:sjtbcc.org, pages are updated weekly! Regular Office Hours: The printed bulletin will be coming Monday-Friday 9 am—3 pm Saturday, 10 am —3 pm back on August 15th. Word & Communion: Mon & Tues. 9 am We ask that if you are receiving the Mass: Wed. 9 am, Thurs. 6:30 pm, Friday, 9 am weekly bulletin by email that you Sat. 5:30 pm, Sun. 9 am and 11:30 am continue to read it on line. Vigil mass streamed live Saturdays at 5:30 pm on Thank You Facebook, recordings posted to website by 8 am Sunday STEWARDSHIP With all the talk of bread in the gospels of the last few Sundays, the carb count of scripture has been rather high. As anyone who has tried a low carb diet comes to realize, there is something that is very basic and satisfying about bread. No matter how much steak and bacon you eat, the meals do not seem very complete without bread. The gluten -free among us have their own special bread to fill that need. Jesus did not talk about the quail in the desert, but rather the manna. This makes bread an ideal metaphor to describe that which satisfies. One of the most important things you can do as a happy, healthy, and holy family is to share many, many meals together. Food is so basic to life that our children associ- ate home with food, love with food, safety with food. The family meal is an ideal time to teach, talk, listen, and share your life and dreams with your family. So many studies associate regular family meal times with positive health outcomes in children as they become adults. Ob- servant parents find that young children (and even teens) are able to listen better when they are not “hangry,” and ensure that snacks are available to provide as necessary. Jesus knew that our hunger for God was on the same level as our hunger for food. Human beings share a basic hunger for knowledge – knowledge of our humanity, knowledge of our earth and our universe, and knowledge of God. Only Jesus can satisfy our hunger for God. He offers his whole self, his teaching, his love, and his very body to us. We gather in this weekly family meal to be satisfied by him and to strengthen our bonds with one another. By: Kathy Wickward STEWARDSHIP Parish Stewardship Report for Sunday, August 1, 2021 Stewardship Envelopes $ 6,274.00 Please pray for those who are sick: Stewardship Loose $ 3,862.16 Maryland Rogers and Gina Howell Holy Day Donations $ 5.00 Vigil Lights $ 17.07 Please pray for those who have died : St. Vincent de Paul $ 940.00 Your own special intentions Facilities Donation $ 100.00 Euch. Bread Donation $ 13.00 Mass Intentions $ 45.00 Faith Formation Fees $ 155.00 VBS Fees $ 50.00 Kitchen Donation $ 100.00 Misc. $ 1.00 Total $ 11,562.23 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS All Aboard “Rocky Railway” VBS Train! St. Rachel’s Corner John the Baptist is putting on a hybrid Vaca- Hope and Healing After Abortion tion Bible School August 16-20th! The “I was confused about why I was here, but God knew I CREW will be on screen via zoom for the first needed this. God through you has reached us and freed half, and in person at the church for the sec- us. My children had no name. Now they do!! I can't be- ond half each day. Registration forms are lieve I almost missed this!” -Testimonial available at the Faith Formation table, Parish Office, and on the Has the abortion decision continued to torment you with website. Please sign up soon so we can get you a music CD! Talk with Joan Williamson if you have any questions. 253-630- regret and shame when you think about your role in that 0701. loss? Call for a compassionate, confidential conversation. English: (206) 920-6413 / Español: (206)-450-7814 Email [email protected]. Visit us at www.ccsww.org/projectrachel or www.facebook.com/ projectrachelww. Project Rachel is a program of Catholic Community Services. You are loved with an everlasting Love! As Fall approaches and hopefully our kids will be back in school, we want to reinstate our Back To School Supply Drive. Please purchase items when you’re out shopping and help us make this a No Matter How Much You’re celebration to get our children Hurting, back to their school activities. As No Marriage Is Beyond Hope! usual this drive will go to Com- munities in Schools who support the more needy schools. Thanks • Are you struggling in your marriage, or do for your help. you know someone who is? The Life, Justice Peace Commission • Are you disillusioned? Frustrated? • Do you struggle with trust or forgiveness? • Are you considering separation or divorce? • Have you lost hope?? Let Retrouvaille Help! For confidential information, or to register for THIS WEEK AT OUR CHURCH our upcoming VIRTUAL weekend Sept. 16-19, 2021, call Mark and Ronnie at 206-706-2608 or go to www.helpourmarriage.org. Monday, Aug. 9 Word & Communion, 9 am Tuesday, Aug. 10 Word & Communion, 9 am Virtual Weekend Experience Wednesday, Aug. 11 For: All married couples who Mass, 9 am want to make their good marriage Thursday, Aug. 12 great! Mass, 6:30 pm When: August 20-22, 2021 Friday, Aug. 13 Apply at www.wwme.org Mass, 9 am (Search for Seattle area weekend Grupo de Oracion Crismatico “Divina Misericordia”, 6 pm under “apply.”) Saturday, Aug. 14 For questions, contact: 206-713-8324 or email Confession, 4 pm [email protected] Live Your best Life in Love Mass, 5:30 pm Sunday, Aug. 15 Mass, 9 am and 11:30 am Find us on Instagram and Facebook: @sjtbcovington Visit our website at sjtbcc.org, pages are updated weekly! .