SCHEDULE OF LITURGIES Word and Communion: Monday and Tuesday 9:00 am MASS: Sunday 9:00 am, 11:30 am, & 5:30 pm Wednesday 9:00 am Thursday 6:30 pm Friday 9:00 am Saturday 5:30 pm CONFESSIONS: Individual confessions every Saturday from 4 pm to 5 pm or call the parish office at 253-630-0701 to make an appointment with Fr. Jim.

CONTACT INFORMATION Church/Office: 25810 156th Ave SE, Covington, WA 98042 Phone: 253-630-0701 E-Mail: office@sjtbcc.org Website: www.sjtbcc.org Regular Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am—4:30pm Saturday, 10 am —3 pm

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

PARISH STAFF Rev. Jim Coyne, Pastor ext. 105-jimc@sjtbcc.org

Pastoral Asst. for Liturgy & Pastoral Care Laurie Moloney, ext 111-lauriem@sjtbcc.org

Pastoral Asst. for Administration Kathy Wickward, ext 103 kathyw@sjtbcc.org

Pastoral Asst. for Stewardship & Evangelization Anne Frederick, ext. 112-annef@sjtbcc.org

Pastoral Asst. for Faith Formation, RCIA & Sacramental Prep Joan Williamson, ext. 109-joanw@sjtbcc.org

Pastoral Asst. for PreSchool/Elementary Faith For-mation Amy Bonte, ext 123-amyb@sjtbcc.org

Pastoral Asst. for Youth Ministry 5-12 Chelsea Wilde ext 110-chelseaw@sjtbcc.org

Pastoral Asst. for Social Outreach and Advocacy Andrea Mendoza, ext 115- andream@sjtbcc.org

Music Ministry Coordinator Luis Diaz de Leon, ext. 108-luisd@sjtbcc.org

Administrative Asst. (Bulletin) Connie Tietz, ext. 101-conniet@sjtbcc.org

Bookkeeper Nancy Moore, ext. 102-nancym@sjtbcc.org

Facility Steward David Aldous, ext. 114-davida@sjtbcc.org

THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

FROM YOUR PASTOR

I write this after having returned from the funeral of Fr. John Renggli. He was a person filled with the joy of the Kingdom. Rarely, if ever, did I hear him say anything negative about someone. He always looked for the positive in the other. He had a self- deprecating sense of humor, quick to laugh at his own foibles. Even during the

last few years as he slowly lost his memory he still pulsated with joy in the present moment. I mention all this because today we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, lighting the pink candle of the wreath. Gaudete is a Latin word meaning to rejoice. Although we continue to wait for Christ’s coming it is almost as if we can’t contain the joy that lies therein. May we be people who know of the joy of the Lord. Fr Jim

If you haven’t turned in your pledge card for Treasure, you may do so by dropping it in the collection basket, mail it in, or drop it off in the

parish office. Your donations continue to bless this parish and all those we serve through our many ministries!

As of December 3, 2019 our results are: Goal=$1,300,000

Amt. Pledged=$828,020=63.7% #families=1160 #pledges rec’d=421=36.3% Avg. weekly pledge=$37.82

In preparing to write this article I re-read Pope Francis’ en-cyclical Laudato Si. Have I lost you already?? Let me ex-plain: an encyclical is a letter that the Pope writes and sends to every single Catholic Bishop in the world. It’s one of the highest forms of communication by the Pope and usually deals with some aspect of Catholic teaching — clarifying, amplifying, condemning or promoting one or a number of issues relevant to our time and culture. You know how the Bible has books like Ephesians and Col-losians that are all collections of letters from St. Paul to small church groups around the middle east? It’s just like those, but is now sent out to every Catholic person in the world through the Catholic bishops. Super cool, right? We have a giant network of learning and faith that the Pope speaks through. Anyway, to prepare for this article I re-read one of Pope Francis’ encyclicals. It’s called Laudato Si and that means “Praise Be to You” in Latin. What we call an official document or letter that the Pope writes. It usually has to do with some serious stuff that is relevant to our time and/or culture and he sends it out to ALL of the bishops in the whole world so that everyone can get on the same page. The Bishops are supposed to read it and pass it along down the line of Catholic leaders Lately, when I think about our parish theme “Live a legacy of love”, my mind frequently turns to a single question: What kind of legacy, or impact, do I have on my surround-ings? To put it more simply, do I live every day and make decisions with intention or do I just react my way through life being pulled and pushed here and there with the tide of our culture? When I really sit down and think about this, my mind turns simply to my own daily impact on the environ-ment. What kind of shape do I want to leave the world in for fu-ture generations? My answer: I want to leave it in awe-some shape. I want to do my part to lower the possibility of extreme change for those in the poorest countries and liv-ing on the margin. I want to live with the smallest negative environmental impact that I can and the largest positive environmental impact. Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower I would like to appeal to all those in whose hands the future of mankind lies, to use their power not to destroy or kill, nor to create suffering in a grasping search for selfish objectives, but to help alleviate the plight of the needy; to aim at justice and freedom for the individual. -- Poul Hartling By: Chelsea Wilde

The Archbishop will be presiding at the 11:30 mass on Sunday, December 15

th. After the

mass, we want to welcome him with a reception. Let’s let him see who we are as a parish!

Help Wanted: Christmas Decorating We will be decorating the sanctuary for Christmas on Monday, Dec. 23, begin-ning at 10 am. We need help setting up trees, placing poinsettias, wreaths and more. Please come help if you can.

A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT

Please remember in your prayers those who are ill: Annette Cuccia, Lois Willard, Mary Ellen Pardo, Lindsey Freeborg, James Paton and Leon Zewecki Please remember in your prayers those who

have died: Anita Childs (wife of Deacon Ted Childs), Fr. Pat Howell, Jim Schafer, Nancy Sprenkle( friend of Diane Rosenberger), and David Storm (uncle of Debbie Aldous)

LIFE, JUSTICE, & PEACE

Advent Questions:

• December 15th: What was the best gift you have ever received? Who gave it to you and what made it so special?

•December 22nd: What is your fa-vorite Advent or Christmas tradition?

Third Sunday of Advent: From the loneliness of his prison cell

John the Baptist asks of Jesus: “Are you the one who is to

come, or should we look for another?” The weeks before Christ-

mas offer much to be joyous about, celebrating with family and

friends, the glitter of seasonal decorations, the excitement of gift

giving and receiving. But in our midst there are the lonely and

neglected, the poor, the hospitalized, the wayward, the shut-ins.

There are those who feel that they have no hope. To whom

should they look? Discipleship in the Lord includes being good

stewards of others. Are there those in our family, our neighbor-

hood, our community to whom we can reach out to show them a

sign of Christ’s presence in their midst?

Honor your Loved Ones with Christmas Flowers You can honor your loved ones who have died with poinsettias for the sanctuary at Christmas. They are $10 each. Put a memorial card in the envelope with your payment and we’ll display it at

Christmas. Deadline is Dec. 15th.

4 Week Study on Racism: In 2018, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a pastoral letter addressing racism. Join us for a 4 week study breaking open the letter and exploring the topic of racism through a faith perspective. If you are interested, please sign up at the Life, Justice, Peace table or contact Andrea for more information.

Save the Date 2020 March for Life: The 2020 Mass and March for Life will be held on Tuesday, January 21. As in years past, St. John’s will be co-chartering a bus with oth-er local parishes to attend the Mass and March in Lacey and Olympia. If you are interested in attending, please sign up at the Life, Justice, Peace table.

KentHOPE Volunteer Coordinator-- Wonderful opportunity to become part of a volunteer team that is mak-ing an impact in the lives of home-less women. The Volunteer Coordi-

nator responds to and supports KentHOPE volunteers, and serves on the KentHOPE Steering Committee com-prised of other volunteer coordinators and the KentHOPE Ministries Manager. He/She coordinates day to day volun-teer needs, arranges for twice-a-year Volunteer Work-shops and helps conduct once-a-month Vision Tours of the KentHOPE Day Center. If you have a heart for home-less women and children, God may be nudging you to get involved with KentHOPE! Training and ongoing support cheerfully provided. Please contact Gloria Peterson at info@kenthope.org for more information or to volunteer.

Annual Catholic Appeal Year-End Payment and donations Want to make your Annual Catholic Appeal pay-ment or donation by year-end for tax purposes? Any payments or new gifts you want credited to

the 2019 calendar year for tax purposes need to be in the An-nual Catholic Appeal office by Dec. 31, 2019 (Please do not put ACA payments in the parish collection basket).

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH TAX REMINDER Our annual reminder about end of the year giving. We will pro-cess all donations received or postmarked by December 31, 2019 as contributions for the 2019 tax year. Any contributions received on or after January 1, 2020 will be recorded for the 2020 tax year. End of year tax statements from the parish will be mailed to you around the third week of January. Please con-tact the parish office if you have any questions.

Monday, Dec. 16 Word & Communion, 9 am Small Faith Group/Zelie, 10 am Light Weigh, One King, 6:30 pm Cub Scout Lion Den, 6:30 pm Cub Scout Pack 506 tiger den, 6:30 pm Fil-Am Choir Practice, 7 pm Pastoral Leadership Team, 7 pm Knights of Columbus Officers, 7 pm 9am Choir Practice, 7 pm Tues, Dec. 17 Word & Communion, 9 am Girl Scout Troop #40528, 6 pm Girl Scout Troop #46865, 6 pm Stewardship & Evangelization, 6:30 pm Hispanic Music Group, 7 pm WICS (Widowed Information/Consultation), 7 pm Wednesday, Dec. 18 Mass, 9 am Christ’s 2nd Commandment Group, 9:30 am Angel Choir Rehearsal, 4:30 pm Truthful Reign Practice, 7 pm Hispanic Charismatic Adult Formation, 7 pm Youth Group, 7 pm Thursday, Dec. 19 Facility & Fellowship, 8 am Strong bones Yoga, 8 am Light Weigh, One King, 12 pm Cub Scout Webelos, 6 pm Cub Scout Pack 506, 6:15 pm Cub Scout Pack 506 Wolf Den, 6:30 pm RCIA(Rite of Christian Initiation/Adults), 7 pm Small Faith Community/Dehmer, 7 pm Friday, Dec. 20 Mass, 9 am Guadalupanos, Rosary in Spanish, 6 pm Hispanic Charismatic Saturday, Dec. 21 Angel Choir Rehearsal, 10 am Confessions, 4 pm Mass, 5:30 pm Sunday, Dec. 22 Mass: 9am,11:30 am, and 5:30 pm

THIS WEEK AT OUR CHURCH

NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

Practice days for Angel Choir Wed. Dec. 18 @ 4:30—6:00 pm Sat. Dec. 21 @ 10:am-noon Contact: Amy Bonte amyb@sjtbcc.org

All Faith Formation leaders of any min-istry are invited to attend: Dinner and “Night of Inspi-ration” on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 from 6:30-8 pm in the McMullen Center. Please RSVP: JoanW@sjtbcc.org

No Elementary Faith Formation classes Dec. 22 & 29. classes resume Jan. 5, 2020

No Youth Group (5-8 grades) Dec. 25 & Jan. 1. clas-ses resume Jan. 8, 2020

NOTE: Youth Group Parents: you will need to attend Youth group with your child on Jan.8 &15. We will be breaking open our theme “Live a Legacy of Love”.

No Life Night: Dec. 22 & 29. Life Night resumes Jan. 5, 2020

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Gethsemane Cemetery in Federal Way will have a Mass in English on December 21, 2019 at 10:30 am.

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Dec. 24: Christmas Eve 4 pm Nativity of the Lord—Children’s Mass 7 pm Nativity of the Lord—Vigil Mass 10 pm Nativity of the Lord—Midnight Mass Dec. 25: Christmas Morning 10 am Nativity of the Lord (Musical prelude 30 minutes before all Masses)

FAITH FORMATION

Strengthen, renew, and rekindle your marriage sacrament by attending a Worldwide Marriage encounter Weekend on Feb. 7 –9, 2020 at the best Western Wesley Inn & Suites in Gig Harbor, WA. Apply today at www.wwme.org. Contact Jeanpierre and gay Charette at 253-582-0239 .

You can still donate hats, scarves, and mittens for the homeless. They can be handmade or from the store. Adult and child sizes are welcome. Place

them in the bin in the Narthex.

Parish Ministries

Coffee & Donuts John & Melissa Fieser Craft & Hobby Group Nancy Moore Creative Kindness Sewing Barb O’Neill Fil -Am Association Angie Santiago Funeral Reception Kathy Pryor Denise Jackson Guadalupanos Mary Ellen Pardo Knights of Columbus Angelo Battisti Strong Bones Yoga Ann Happe Yarning for Community Anne Diaz

Facility & Maintenance Crew David Aldous Facilities & Grounds Kathy Kernan Grounds Maintenance Crew Open (coordinator needed) Kitchen Helper Susan Ravotti Prayer Garden Maintenance Mark Rosenberger Security Team David Aldous

Adult Formation Committee Al Myers Baptism Joan Williamson Catholic School Families Group Joan Williamson Confirmation Chelsea Wilde Elementary Faith Formation Gr.1-4 Amy Bonte Faith Formation Commission Laura Sutton Home Educators Support Group Marisa Maricich Library Therese McHenry Life Teen (Gr 9-12) Chelsea Wilde Marriage Preparation Team Fr. Jim Coyne Perry & Tish Faulk Pre-School Faith Formation PS-K Stephenie Abadilla Alisha Nguyen Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Joan Williamson Sacramental Prep JoanWilliamson Small Faith Communities Mary-Kaye Soderlind Vacation Bible School Cathy Olaes Young Adults Joan Williamson Youth Group (Grades 5-8) Chelsea Wilde

ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT

Pastoral/Leadership Team Trish Hanson Bob Denney

PARISH LEADERSHIP

LIFE JUSTICE & PEACE

Altar Servers & Cross Bearers Kathy Androes-Downes Charismatic Praise & Worship Linda Smith Eucharistic Ministers Pat Defiesta Flower Ministry Judy Fuchs Greeters Ministry Chuck & Angie Santillan Lay Leaders of Prayer Laura Rothschilds Lectors Ministry Norm & Tia Bailey Music Ministry Luis Diaz de Leon Point Person Coordinator Scott Gilyeat Sacristan Coordinator Paul Dehmer

LITURGY

Grief Support Ministry Frank Hammock Helping Hands Laurie Moloney Prayer Song Ministry Cheryl Nowacki Nancy Schmitt Sick & Homebound Laurie Moloney

PASTORAL CARE

STEWARDSHIP & EVANGELIZATION

Member Engagement & Strengths Anne Frederick Stewardship & Evangelization Mary-Kaye Soderlind Returning Catholics/Landings Anne Frederick Welcome & Evangelization Erin Marshall Irene Aguilar

FACILITIES & GROUNDS

Communications Team Bob Jensen Kathy Wickward Money Counter Kathy Wickward Office Helpers/ Special Projects Connie Tietz Website Support Kathy Wickward Bob Jensen

COMMUNITY LIFE

Finance Council Mike Dennis

FAITH FORMATION

Christ’s 2nd Commandment Ben Lee CRS Parish Ambassador Corps Renee Samuelson Garden of The Good Shepherd Angelo & Marge Battisti Guatemala Companion Parish TBD HOME (Homeless Outreach) Nancy Huntington Life, Justice & Peach Commission Andrea Mendoza Pregnancy Aid Judy Peterson

LIFE JUSTICE & PEACE

Prepares Erin Marshall Molly Murphy Safe Car Parking Nancy Huntington Norm Bailey Senior Ministry Donna Jeanne Gully St. Vincent de Paul Society Tom Howell

For phone numbers for the Ministry Leaders contact the Parish office. 253-630-0701