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www.saintmichaelparish.org MARCH 11, 2018 – 4 TH SUNDAY OF LENT OLYMPIA, WA SAINT MICHAEL PARISH 4 3 5 7 PASTOR'S NOTEBOOK CALLED TO EVANGELIZE HAPPENINGS FEEDING THE HUNGRY 8 STATION DAYS RENOVATION MASS TIME changes STARTS APRIL 14 MASS MINISTRY FOR CHILDREN (1-5 YRS. OLD) SUNDAYS 9AM, 10AM & 5PM SATURDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY WESTSIDE WESTSIDE WESTSIDE SCHOOL GYM WESTSIDE SCHOOL GYM 5PM 7AM 9AM 10AM 11AM 5PM

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Page 1: SAINT MICHAEL PARISH the Gospel of Jesus Christ, ... entering into the heart of ... The Merriam-Webster dictionary translates it to mean “the

www.saintmichaelparish.org

MARCH 11, 2018 – 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT

OLYMPIA, WASAINT MICHAEL PARISH

43 5 7

PASTOR'S NOTEBOOK

CALLED TO EVANGELIZE

HAPPENINGSFEEDING THE

HUNGRY

8

STATION DAYS

RENOVATION MASS TIMEchangesSTARTS APRIL 14

MASS MINISTRY FOR CHILDREN (1-5 YRS. OLD)

SUNDAYS 9AM, 10AM & 5PM

SATURDAYSUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAY

WESTSIDEWESTSIDEWESTSIDESCHOOL GYMWESTSIDESCHOOL GYM

5PM7AM9AM10AM11AM5PM

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NORMAL MASS TIMES: (Daily Mass times often change – Check schedule on page 2)

Downtown: 1055 Boundary St. SEFriday 9am Saturday: 5 pm | Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 am, 5 pmWestside Chapel: 1835 Overhulse Rd. NWMonday – Wednesday: Noon | Thursday: 6:30am & Noon | Saturday: 9am Sunday: 8:30am, 10:30am 2nd Sunday: 1:30pm (Vietnamese)RECONCILIATION TIMES: Thursday: 11am | Saturday: 9:45am (Westside Chapel) Friday: 5:30pm | Saturday 3pm (Downtown)PASTOR: Fr. Jim LeePAROCHIAL VICAR: Fr. Cody RossDEACONS: Rob Rensel John BergfordSEMINARIAN Thomas TranMISSIONOur mission is to place God first in all things, to pro-claim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to grow in holiness through prayer, sacraments, and service.

1208 11th Ave. SE, Olympia 98501 (360) 754-4667 www.saintmichaelparish.orgOFFICE HOURS

Monday – Friday: 9am - 5pm Sunday 8:30am - 4:30pm

CALVARY CEMETERY ext. 138 3850 Cleveland Ave., Tumwater 98501ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL (360) 754-5131 ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Wed & Fri 1-3pm (360) 352-7554CLOTHING BANK Tues & Sat 9-11am, Thur. 6:30-8pmPREGNANCY AID (360) 956-7413 M, T, Th, Fri 2-4pm, Wed. 9am-NoonST. MIKE’S TIKES (360) 586-1585

SAINT MICHAEL PARISH

DOWNLOAD OUR APP AT: myparishapp.com

GET IT AT: saintmichaelparish.formed.orgMade possilbe by your generous stewardship.

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

Pastoral Year 2017-2018Donations Received as of March 4, 2018

Sunday Stewardship $36,051

Online Stewardship Giving $35,766

Sunday Loose Donations $1 ,872

Holy Days $227

Youth (Little House) $145

Total Offertory Collection Received $74,061

Year to Date Received $2,307,079

www.facebook.com/ saintmichaelparish

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TEXT TO GIVE(360) 523-7408

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3/12 MONDAY

12noon - George Bader U Westside

3/13 TUESDAY

12noon - Ann McCauley U Westside

3/14 WEDNESDAY

12noon - Dr. John Inverso U Westside

3/15 THURSDAY (11am Reconciliation at Westside)

6:30am - Deceased members of the Olson Family U Westside

12noon - Jody & Andy Fritz U Westside

3/16 FRIDAY (5:30pm Reconciliation Downtown)

9am - Jody & Andy Fritz U Downtown

10:30am - Mass at Olympic West

3/17 SATURDAY (9:45am & 3pm Reconciliation Downtown)

9am - Word & Communion Westside

5pm - Suzanne Kohler U Downtown

3/18 SUNDAY

7:30am - Margaret Parker Downtown

8:30am - Jim O’Sullivan U Westside

9:30am - Lucia Phan U Downtown

10:30am - Andrew Buthorn U Westside

11:30am - Francesca Maiano Pearson U Downtown

5pm - People of Saint MIchael Parish Downtown

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS

Rita Rutigliano Pati Leininger Jeana & Michael Knight Mariah Farmer-Grace Rudy Enriquez Ed Swan Ron Rebers Dorene Naccarato Bob Mary Flury Ernie Ang Thelma Ang Marty Bucklin Ingrid Turner Tiff Barrett Carmelo Malkasian John Laura Hackstadt Stacy Spears Whitney Leckenby Ron RaganTom RaganTheresa Ragan Patricia Lee Cody Barbara Jean Smith Eldrich Saldhana Florence Mims Alan & Sylvia Boyn James E. LuckeyMiguel AquilarDavid PhillipsSalvador Guerra Rebecca Tiegen Jerry Dickinson Lauren Jenkins Carmelo Scuncio Julijeanne Malloy Marge Pool Thelma Dean Bob Kelly Karen Cosden Harris Olga Zamora Becca Cotey Danny Mullan

Ruston Paul Swan Johnny Pereira Janet Smith Donna Petersen Pia Glenda Pordon Cooper Caywood Dan & father Jessy Jacob Jeffery V. L. Patrick family Kathy Weaver Jim Vetter Nina SebastianJason SebastianPat AlderDon AlderJanet VetterKen VetterHilary BorngesserFalicia Bores Jan Putnam Elena & Clarence Lormand Dudley & Mildred Pitchford Joseph Vecera TenioDavid Madison RogersRosalina A. BayonaAntonio ByonaConrado Vios Nora Vios Carey B. TenioEmilie T. DamianPatrice T. ParkhurstRandy Reyes Tenio Anish John Ray Smith Marilyn VetterBrian Lieb Tim Bittrick Eric McDonald Danielle Y. Ray Gary Allin

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

To submit prayer requests, call the Parish Office at (360) 754-4667 or submit your request via our website under the Contact menu.If you or someone you know is homebound and wish-es to receive Holy Communion, please call: Benedetta Reece at (360) 292-7143 or Dcn. Terry Barber at Sacred Heart Parish at (360) 491-0890.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:The CDC reports that influenza activity has sharply increased. In response, beginning January 9 we will sus-pend distribution of the Precious Blood except for .those who are gluten intolerant AND healthy.We will resume distribution of both Sacred Species on Holy Thursday.

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“It is not the finest wood that feeds the fire of divine love, but the wood of the cross.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola

We are halfway through Lent with our eyes fixed on the last day of the month, the Easter Vigil. The entire Church year points us to the great mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. The Paschal Triduum is for us the moment of profoundly entering into the heart of God’s love for us.As we hear in our second reading from Ephesians: “God is rich in mercy, because of the great love he has for us, even when we were dead in our trans-gressions, brought us life with Christ.”This is our joy, our peace and our hope. We trust in what Jesus tells Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, being better stewards of our time, tal-ents and treasure, are meant to open us more and more to this mystery of God’s divine love for us, transforming our thoughts and actions to be more and more like Christ’s. This is a daily journey. It won’t end at Easter but rather should help us become more keenly aware of those areas of our life that need greater attention and transformation.Therefore, Fr. Cody and I invite you to take time this Lent to make a thorough examination of conscience, humble and truthfully acknowledging your sins, and then celebrate the sacrament of Penance and be reconciled with God and with the others around you. Be not afraid of God’s mercy.

Faithful or Fickle?

I share this reflection from the Magnificat Lenten Companion. I was struck by its honesty and its application to every way of life. I hope that it will be a source of insight espe-cially as we transition after Easter to our new Sunday Mass schedule.“As a church employee for several churches in various capacities in the

last twenty years, I have learned more about the nature of ‘religious’ people than I ever cared to know.Parishioners crit icize ‘boring’ organ music, while elsewhere praising liturgical use of traditional chant and Latin. School administration complains about volunteers allow-ing religious education kids to use their students' desks, while those uncom-pensated volunteers are parishioners who also tithe the money that keeps the indebted, under-enrolled school open.The ministry committee wants to offer community outreach, but a few par-ents with kids in the private Catholic school demand that no germy homeless people or degenerate kids from the neighboring proj-ects be allowed to sleep on the same gym floor or eat at the same lunch tables that their children use.

One gripes for a pastor who’s a better homilist, another for homilies with fire and brimstone, another still that she must not be judged from the pulpit.

No wonder ‘Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all,’ as today’s (last Sunday’s) Gospel says. Of course he ‘did not need anyone

to testify to human nature. He himself understood it well.’”Sound familiar? Doesn’t this same thing happen at home, work, school, the neighborhood and in the parking lot at Saint Michael Parish? Over the years I have received my share of angry, accusatory and opinionated letters, emails and questionings in the Gathering Space after Mass. Maybe this prayer, that is included with this reflection may be helpful from time to time when our self-righteousness and judgementalism gets the better of us.“Heavenly Father, please forgive my Pharisaical nit-picking, complaining and selfishness. May I repent of such distractions and keep my eyes only on you when I am tempted to murmur about my pastor, parish or fellow Christians. Amen.”In Christ, through the inter-cession of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, I love you.

Fr. Jim LeePastor

March 11, 2018 – 4th Sunday of Lent

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You may be wondering why the carpet down the middle aisle of the church has been removed. It's because the new design for the church floors calls

for both carpet and exposed concrete.It is important we understand the condition of the concrete before finalizing the design. The majority of the electrical work for the project is scheduled to take place after the church closes on April 9. However, the electricians have been busy working in the church basement running cables for the last several weeks and are now ahead of schedule!The design team has been busy working with sub-contrac-tors and vendors putting the finishing touches on elements such as paint colors, liturgical furniture, and light fixtures. We evaluated an 8’ chandelier for the worship area that we think will be both functional and beautiful. It is very exciting to see the final pieces fall into place as a result of so many who have worked so hard.

BUILDFAITH316

CONSTRUCTION ZONE

CALLED TO EVANGELIZE Deploying the New Evangelization

So how, exactly, do we do that?

In the last chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, "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…” This has long been called The Great Commission. But what does it mean for us as Catholics? What does it mean in light of the US Bishops' directive called the New Evangelization?

The New Evangelization has two components: 1) to be evange-lized and 2) to go out and evangelize. This includes reaching the lost, those who might be hiding in plain sight! Think about that for a moment – how exactly are we reaching those who may not know Christ – our friends, neighbors, family and asso-ciates who really might be hiding in plain sight? Where are the seekers?

The word Kerygma is an ancient Greek word used in the New Testament as a word for “preaching” and is related to a Greek verb that very literally means “to cry or proclaim as a herald.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary translates it to mean “the apostolic proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ.” Sounds like this is right at the core of what it means to be a Catholic Christian who is following the words of Jesus! If we are honest, however, many of us may see this as something distant from how we actually live out our everyday lives and seek to serve God.If we look around us at SMP, there is an abundance of

Kerygmatic work being carried out daily. From the preaching of our priests and deacons at Mass to our bible studies, small groups and faith formation activities – we work each day to bring the Gospel to all nations, as the scripture says. We can even evangelize as we say grace before meals around our family dinner tables, at home or in a restaurant. How might we even more intentionally bring the Kerygma to those on the periphery of our daily lives, those we encounter in many ordinary ways?Our Strategic Plan is based on the elements of discipleship: Grow, Worship, Serve, Give, Connect and Share. Under each are Strategic Initiatives, including Evangelization and Outreach under the Share element. Specifically, our action plan directs us to promote our St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) ministry, along with classes that can teach us how to better evangelize. SPSE trainings and outreach are currently under way and we have some 35 volunteers assisting. In addi-tion, new sessions titled “Teach Me to Evangelize” are being scheduled for April 2018 – please look for those. Finally, the current ALPHA course geared to young adults and married couples is an excellent way to evangelize. If you know some-one who is seeking or might be interested in learning more about faith in Jesus Christ, please invite them to attend. Our current course started on February 28 in the SMP Multi-Purpose Room, but you can still join in.If you want to learn more or get involved with our evangeliza-tion work, please contact Mario Villanueva at [email protected] or Brandon Jones at [email protected]. You can also contact them by simply calling the parish office.

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SMP HAPPENINGSMARCH 2018

10/11 St. Vincent de Paul Collection: This Weekend! Without you the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Olympia could not hap-pen. Your donations help people stay in their home and maintain their medical prescriptions. There will be a collection for SVDP after all Masses this weekend. Dona-tions can also be delivered directly to SVDP during office hours 1-3 pm, Wednesdays and Fridays. Thank you for your generous and prayerful support.

13 Prime Timers Potluck Westside Chapel Tuesday at 1pm

(Please arrive before noon or after Mass at 12:45pm, but not during Mass.) It's our St. Patrick Lunch and Sing-along! Bring your favorite salad, side dish or dessert. Corn beef will be provided.Cost: Bring a friend!

¡VENGAN A ACOMAPAÑARNOS!

Tendremos nuestra Misa en es-pañol con el P. Cody durante este Tiempo de Cuaresma. El día 13 de marzo a las 7pm en la Capilla de la iglesia.Vengan para unirnos en el amor eterno de Cristo nuestro Salvador y el amor que compartimos unos a los otros como hermanos y her-manas en el Señor.

18 Prime Timers BrunchNext Sunday at 11:30am at Mercato

Ristorante – 111 Market St. NE in Olympia.

Please call Lea Leingang at (360) 754-8262 before noon on Saturday, March 17, to let her know if you are planning to attend.

Liturgy of the Word for Children is a critical ministry for SMP families,  which  is  why  we  are providing training for all current and interested catechists next Sunday from 10:45am–12pm.

Contact: Hannah Hach at 3(60) 292-7114 or [email protected]

17 HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

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PHIL'S CAMINOJoin us for a special screening of this award-winning film.Saturday, April 21 at 1pm in the Mult ipurpose Room. Director Annie O’ Nei l (Walk ing the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago) will lead Q&A after the screening.The inspiring story of Phil, a man living with Stage 4 cancer and dreaming of walking the 500 mile Camino de Santiago across Spain. Unable to make the trip, he builds a camino in the forest behind his house on Vashon Island, starts to walk, and traces his progress on a map. Upon reaching ‘Santiago de Compostela’ – without ever leaving his backyard – Phil gets a clean scan and his doctors grant him permission to miss one chemo treatment. He now has 28 days to go and walk the ancient route in Spain. Along the way he realizes his true pilgrimage is the one he travels within.A marvelous and inspiring journey of hope, acceptance and freedom.

THANK YOU!Our letter signing event was a huge success!Beyond JustFaith ministry thanks everyone who signed letters to our senators and representatives on February 24/25.We delivered 1267 letters: 1064 letters from the parish, plus 203 from students at Pope John Paul II High School during their letter signing event.Your support in this effort is a blessing to our parish and to the hungry in the world.And thanks to all of the volunteers!Did you miss this opportunity? Visit the BFW website to send your letter: www.bread.org/write-congress

PRIORY PROGRAMSPilgrimage: A Path of Peace and UnitySaturday, March 24, 10am–3pmWhether a seasoned traveler or planning your very first journey, this workshop will feed your soul. Join a circle of fellow travelers and share in the stories, insights, and wisdom. Register by prior Friday: $60 – Bring a sack lunch.Triduum RetreatMarch 29 – April 1, Thursday 3pm – Sunday 12pmCome and spend time in quiet with Jesus as he enters this Paschal Journey from suffering to Resurrection. During this silent retreat you will experience a guided meditation time, receive hand-outs to prepare your heart, and receive the blessings of this Triduum time. Spiritual Direction is also available upon request. Register by Prior Friday: $200 or $250 with Spiritual DirectionRegister instructions: www.stplacid.org

EDGE: The Big Life – a night on the fall | Life Teen: Safe Environment lessons

No EDGE or Life Teen – Easter Break

MAR. 18

MAR. 25

YOUTH MINISTRY

APR. 1

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GRIEVING? CARRYING A HEAVY HEART?If you or someone you know is facing struggles and trials that fill your heart with grief, Saint Michael Parish offers faith-based cycles of Grief support and Cancer support meetings.Whether present events brought grief to you or you are carrying the pain of grief from long ago; whether faith brings you support while grieving or whether grief causes your faith to tremble, please join us. We gather to learn about the grief process, to support one another, and to share our thoughts and feelings, sustained by our faith and enlightened by Christ. Please note that these meetings do

not replace therapy, if needed. All meetings are FREE and open to anyone. No need to be Catholic or a parishioner to attend. If you wish to participate or have any questions, please contact Bene Reece at (360) 292-7143 or [email protected].

The pretzel has a deep spiritual meaning for Lent. In fact, it was the ancient Christian Lenten bread as far back as the fourth century. In the old Roman Empire, the faithful kept a very strict fast all through Lent: no milk, no butter, no cheese, no eggs, no cream and no meat. They made small breads of water, flour and salt, to remind themselves that Lent was a time of prayer. They shaped these breads in the form of crossed arms for in those days they crossed their arms over the breast while praying. Therefore they called the breads "little arms" (bracellae). From this Latin word, the Germanic people later coined the term "pretzel."“These little breads were shaped in the form of arms crossed in prayer and were called bracellae (Latin, ‘little arms’). Among the Germans the word became ‘bretzel’. These pretzels were a common Lenten food throughout the Middle Ages in Europe, and became an all year round snack, in its original shape only in the last (19th) century.” (Greg Dues, Catholic Customs and Traditions,)The suggestion of arms crossed in the form of prayer may have led to pretzels being given as a reward to young chil-dren when they could recite their prayers. Pretiola means little reward, which could also be a derivative of the term pretzel. The three holes in a pretzel are also said to represent the Holy Trinity.Thus the pretzel is the most appropriate food symbol in Lent. It still shows the form of arms crossed in prayer, reminding us that Lent is a time of prayer. It consists only of water and flour, thus proclaiming Lent as a time of fasting. The earliest picture and description of a pretzel (from the fifth century) may be found in the manuscript-codex No. 3867, Vatican Library.

Saint Michael Parishioners joyfully serve in our local mission of feeding the hungry at the Community Kitchen in Olympia. Sharing their time and treasure with those who are disad-vantaged and vulnerable in our community embodies the Corporal Works of Mercy and reminds us of the Christ in all.

Some of our parish school kids serving at the men's shelter earlier this year.

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LENTEN SMALL GROUPSWeek 5 - Jesus calls us to die to ourselvesThis week's Lenten DVD reflection is by Elizabeth Lyons, Steward for Sacramental Preparation and Adult Discipleship. She also works with children ages 3-5 years old as an assis-tant catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She shares a wonderful story of her encounter with one young boy. Watch the video to hear her tell it!

Elizabeth focuses her talk on a quote from this Sunday's gospel, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains just a single grain, but if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12:24) Jesus is giving us a paradox. In two weeks he will die on the cross. The paradox is that he must die to produce much fruit. Jesus calls us to die to ourselves also. One of the hardest ways to die to ourselves is to reach out and embrace others. We come to Mass every week and see new people and it is hard to reach out and say hello. In two weeks we will celebrate Easter and have so many people here that maybe only come to church once or twice a year. What an opportu-nity to let the call of hospitality be something you embrace.

If you were unable to join the 350+ parishioners preparing for Lent in small groups, you can follow along by using the reflection sheets and videos posted on the website at saintmichael-parish.org/learn/small-groups. Click on Facilitator Resources. Contact: Michaela Moreau • [email protected]

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS COMING! Save the dates! VBS will take place June 25–29. Questions? Contact Hannah Hach at (360) 292-7114 or [email protected]

STATION DAYSWhat are those?Station days were days of fasting in the early Church and associated with a procession to certain prescribed churches in Rome, where the Mass and Vespers would be celebrated to mark important days of the liturgical year. Station days grew out of the early Christian practice of visiting the tombs of the martyrs and celebrating the Eucharist at those sites.By the fourth century, the practice of carrying out an itinerary to various churches of the city began to develop during the days of Lent. In those days it became a tradition for the pope to visit a church in each part of the city and celebrate Mass with the congregation.In the early centuries, the Lenten fast lasted all day, and so towards the evening the Christians of Rome would begin to gather at a church known as the collecta ("gathering place"), where they would be joined by the assembled clergy of the city and the pope. The procession would then move through the streets to the station church, not far away. Having gath-ered at the daily statio ("standing place"), the pope would then celebrate a solemn Mass, and fragments of the Host were sent to the other stationes of the city to symbolize unity around the bishop of Rome. After the conclusion of Vespers, the day's fast was broken with a communal meal. The practice of keeping stations continued beyond Lent into Eastertide and the Easter Octave.

FAITH RAISING CAMPAIGN UPDATEAs of Feb. 28, we have pledges from over 1000 house-holds for a total of

$4,274,631! I To date, your contributions total $1,558,417! A tremendous THANK YOU to everyone who has com-pleted a pledge, are working towards completing a pledge, or who have made a contribution in any way.If you have driven down 10th Street, you've seen that the structural renovation of the church is well underway. You can also see the storage area that is being built in front of the old entrance to the church. Construction is progress-ing on the school side of the church as well.The kitchen off the Gathering Space has been cleared out. We donated the commercial stove and hood to St. George Byzantine Church on Yelm Highway.

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AROUND THE PARISH

PROJECT RACHEL Hope and Healing After AbortionHave you felt like being free of the pain after your abortion is beyond your reach? Come on a Rachel’s Vineyard™ Retreat and allow God to show you the mer-ciful relief He has ready for your aching heart. We can help you on a Rachel’s Vineyard™ retreat.Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats 2018 are scheduled for March 9-11 in Seabeck, WA and April 20-22 in Stanwood, WA. Contact: Valerie 1-800-822-HOPE (4673) You are loved with an Everlasting Love!

RETROVAILLEA New Beginning for Your MarriageRetrouvaille (pronounced retro-vī) helps distressed couples rediscover each other and take positive steps to begin a new life of healing, commitment and love. For confidential information about, or to register for the upcoming program beginning March 16-18, call (206) 706-2608 or visit at www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY BANQUETSaturday, March 17 at Hallen Hall, Sacred Heart Parish, 816 Bowker St. SE, LaceySocial at 6pm (after 5pm Mass) Dinner at 6:30pmMenu: Authentic Dubliner Salad Choice of Entree: Chef Sam O’Pellegrino’s Tender Corned Beef orPaddy O’Colosi’s Oven Baked Salmon Classic Irish Boiled Potatoes and Cabbage Irish Parslied Whole Baby Carrots Traditional Irish Soda Bread Dessert: Chocolate Mint Ice Cream Sundae Coffee, Tea, and Water | Microbrew and Domestic Irish beer, wine, and soda available for purchase. Food prepared, cooked, and served cafeteria style by KofC Members. Please indicate Beef or Salmon when purchasing tickets.

$18 advance sale, $20 at the door, $8 Kids 7-12 (under 6 Free)For tickets or more information, contact: Mike Colosi (360) 870- 5597 or [email protected] Ray Patron (912) 271- 8741 or [email protected] Sam Pellegrino (360)-259-7337 or [email protected] or mail checks, payable to: KofC, 1643, PO Box 3511, Lacey 98509

SCHOOL NEWSDear Saint Michael Parishioners,Lenten blessings to you! Lent is such a special time for our school and we are blessed to journey through this season as a faith community. One of my favorite school traditions is our student-led Stations of the Cross. We begin each Monday of Lent with the Stations of the Cross to ground us in prayer, reflection, and Christ’s sacrifice for us. Through this we ask our students to reflectively relate His journey and sacrifice to their own lives. Our 8th grade students did a great job leading us through the first four Stations of the Cross this past Monday. Please hold our school students in your prayers during this Lent. We are registering new families for the 2018-2019 school year. We currently have spaces available in many grades for next year, including our Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. Please contact the school at (360) 754-5131 to learn more about enrolling your child at your parish school and to schedule a tour with a Parent Ambassador. Tuition assistance is available.Due to the upcoming retirements of Ms. Berning, Mrs. Joanis, and Miss Deedee, we have three positions open for the 2018-2019 school year. We are currently seeking applicants for Pre-K Teacher, School Librarian, and Technology Specialist. If you are interested in applying for any of these positions, please apply here: http://www.ocsww.org/employment.php.Lenten blessings,Connor Geraghty Principal

In this beautiful Lighthouse Talk, Monsignor James Shea guides us along the Stations of the Cross, teaching us how to open our hearts more to the suffering and loneliness of Jesus on His way to Calvary.Weaving together the insights of keen believers like Father Richard Neuhaus, Caryll Houselander, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, and Dr. James Edwards, these powerful meditations take us into the depths of Christ's agony and back out again into the joy of what His sacrifice means for us.Listen now on FORMED! Don't have it? See page 1!