Saint Michael Parish Newsletter — August 2021

Catching Up with Our

What’s Inside: 3

A Letter From Our Pastor What Are You Going to Do With Your Life?

4

Facilities Ministry Keeps Parish and School

Campuses Clean and Safe

6

Stewardship of Treasure Giving to God First

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The St. Vincent de Paul Society: Serving Those Most in Need with Great Compassion

AUGUST 2021

YOUTH MINISTRY:

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Keeping Our Young Parishioners Connected, Helping Them Grow Closer to Christ

n their middle school and high school years, our youth are often at a crucial turning point on their faith journey. Our parish’s Youth Ministry program helps guide them through this time while showing them how to live out their faith in every aspect of their life. Through fun activities, catechesis, and group discussion, these students are able to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and deepen their understanding both of their faith and of themselves. Although the ministry has had to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year and a half, they have been able to keep the youth connected.

“Youth Ministry this past year has been nothing but a blessing,”

Our Youth Group at a recent conference

says ministry leader Brandon Jones.

“The Holy Spirit has challenged me to grow deeper and to share my vulnerability with our youth. They were able to see all the transitions continued on page 2

YOUTH MINISTRY and changes that occurred, and they knew it was okay to struggle at times and bring those struggles to the feet of Jesus.”

Youth Ministry started off the past year by alternating virtual and in-person meetings every other week.

“In February, we split into groups — Group A had five small groups and Group B had nine small groups,” Brandon says. “This way, there was Youth Ministry happening every week in person, which helped the families to know that through all the chaos in the world, Jesus remained consistent.

“This ministry couldn’t have worked without the Holy Spirit providing strength, knowledge, compassion, and understanding to each one of our Adult Core members and Teen Leads,” he adds. “Their fellowship shows how Christ is working in each one of them, which leads to them connecting to other youths.”

This past July, the entire Youth Ministry — including students from sixth through 12 grades — was able to gather in person along with their families for a special BBQ event. This allowed families to meet the Youth Minister, Core Team, and Teen Leads, as well as enjoy time together in fellowship with the other families.

Brandon is excited about the Youth Ministry events they have planned this fall. These include both the YOUCAT and DOCAT studies, weekly Life Teen and EDGE meetings, a bi-weekly Unleashed program, “Word Up Wednesday” weekly activities for all youths, “Level Up” monthly activities for eighth-grade leads, and a weekly Senior Summit activity for 12th-graders. In addition to these, Confirmation preparation will take place on the fourth Sunday of each month, followed by postConfirmation catechesis on Theology of the Body.

Youth Ministry is an important resource for our youth because, as followers of Christ, we are called to go and proclaim His Good News — Youth Ministry teaches them to do just that.

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Our Steward for Youth Ministry Brandon Jones with some of our youth

“Our youth learn how to build fellowship with each other, we visit the sacraments, and we learn how to pray and adore Jesus,” Brandon says. “They can then share what Jesus is doing in their lives.

Youth Ministry is important for those youths who yearn for a deeper connection with Jesus, and to give them a place to go where they are not judged and are always welcomed with love.

“Our youth don’t know you care until you show that you care,” he adds. “Relational ministry is the key — if we don’t have a great relationship with Jesus, then how can we expect to have a relationship with the youth? Our youth see their peers adoring Jesus and encountering an intimate relationship with Jesus, and they yearn for that same feeling. Knowing they are truly loved and that Jesus wants to get more intimate with each and every one of them is what makes the difference during their faith journey.”

If you would like more information about our Youth Ministry, please contact Brandon Jones at 360-292-7108 or bjones@saintmichaelparish.org.

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A Letter From Our Pastor

What Are You Going to Do With Your Life?

My dear sisters and brothers,

W

hat a great question that I was asked to write on. Yet this is a question that we often don’t have enough time to really think about. Our daily lives get busy with many activities — some essential, some important, and some quite frivolous. So here are some thoughts that might be helpful for our reflection.

We are called to be the disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is our calling and stewardship is the way we are to live the life we have been given, being faithful stewards of the gifts that God has given to us. This life of discipleship, of stewardship, begins with our Baptism and our new life as members of the Church, the People of God. We may not always remember that we have been called to discipleship, to a life of stewardship — yet, that is who we are. Understanding and living this call is a lifelong process. We are all “works in progress,” God’s “work” that evolves moment by moment, day by day, and year after year.

To get more specific, we need to not only understand that stewardship is the expression of discipleship, but it is also the way in which we are to live our life. It is not a program — it is a way of life. I suspect that there have been moments in our lives when we have been asked, “What are you going to do with your life?” That might happen at graduation, yet how many of us have followed the path we thought we would at that time in our life? Perhaps we replied with a certain profession that may have interested us at the time. Yet often, there is more to our answer than the title of a profession, just as there is more to our lives than just breathing.

How do we use the gifts God has given to us? How we do so will define the life we live for God and the Church. That is our call to discipleship. It is also how we should understand stewardship.

Many people ask me why I am so convinced that stewardship is a way of life. The simple answer I give is always an easy one and the most practical. My life as a faithful steward makes sense — especially when I realized that everything was a gift and that I am blessed. The story of Christianity is filled with people

like you and me who wonder and desire how to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

It is what we are to do with our lives.

Our attitude must be formed to spend the time and the talents we have, to do our part for God’s Church. When does that become our priority? When does it become our way of life? These are the questions any believer must ask themselves when we think about our relationship with God, His Church, and the people around us.

My understanding of stewardship as a “way of life,” the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ grew the more I practiced it.

The more I shared my time, my talent, and my financial resources, the more it made sense.

The more it fulfilled me. The more others benefited.

The more I shared, the more I received through the grace of God. I am so grateful for what God has given me and thankful that I can live my life as his disciple, as a baptized member of His family. I am thankful my parents brought me to be baptized and begin a life that would lead me, like all of us, to be the disciple we are called to be.

When we were baptized, no one asked us, “What are you going to do with your life?” Yet, our parents and godparents understood why we were all there.

They most likely would not have articulated it as becoming a disciple and living a life of stewardship, and yet they knew it was the beginning of a way of life of following Jesus Christ.

What am I going to do with the rest of my life? I long to pour it out completely as a disciple of Jesus Christ and as a faithful steward of all the gifts that God has freely given to me because of God’s unconditional love. What about you, what will you do with the rest of your life?

In Christ, I love you.

Fr. Jim

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FACILITIES MINISTRY Keeps Par I

f anyone at Saint Michael Parish wants to see stewardship in action, all he or she has to do is look to our Facilities Ministry. Coordinated by our Facilities Director Deacon Rob Rensel, the Facilities Ministry cares for our main church building and gathering space, our Saint Michael School, the West Side Chapel, and our Calvary Cemetery.

“The whole ministry is stewardship,” Deacon Rensel says. “I’m discovering it as I go. When I start with myself, I ask, ‘How am I a steward of the gifts God gave the parish?’”

As for the ministry members, they share humility with each other and the people they serve, offer

kindness, and always remember they are serving Christ in everything they do.

There are six team members in the ministry — three handle custodial duties, while two oversee maintenance, and one takes care of our cemetery operations. A major part of the ministry’s work is centered on the school, where cleaning takes priority. The members also look after the HVAC system, electricals, and plumbing. If there are major issues, Deacon Rensel will work with a contractor to resolve them.

“The biggest task is keeping the school clean,” he says.

The pandemic protocols have also meant extra care is taken to keep everyone safe. Deacon Rensel works

Our Facilities Ministry makes sure our playground is clean and safe.

Two members of the Facilities Ministry are hard at work.

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Deacon Rob Rensel, Facilities Director

ish and School Campuses Clean and Safe closely with Chris Peterson, Parish Administrator, who provides valuable knowledge about the parish workings.

“COVID required a restructuring of our custodial priorities,” Deacon Rensel says. “We’ll be doing a deep cleaning in the school, when we clean all the carpets, scrub walls, and so forth.”

One major project underway is an upgrade to the school’s 20-year-old HVAC system. Due to its age, replacement parts are difficult, if not impossible, to find. The objective is to modernize the system so it can self-monitor for any problems and, if necessary, send alerts.

The cemetery columbarium is another ongoing project under the ministry’s care.

“It will be spectacular,” Deacon Rensel says. The artwork chosen for the new columbarium will be full-color images of the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin Mary from our shrines in our church. This will provide a visual connection of the Church here on earth and in heaven. We hope that it will bring comfort and strength to those who grieve and to those who come to pray.

Another important area of stewardship are the parish grounds. Having two campuses encompassing almost 20 acres combined, we are always in need of folks who like to work together in the beauty of nature and take delight in seeing our church, school, and chapel grounds looking beautiful. If this is an area of stewardship that you would like to be part of, please contact Deacon Rob. He would love to get you connected with your fellow parishioners!

“ The whole ministry is stewardship. I’m discovering it as I go. When I start with myself, I ask, ‘How am I a steward of the gifts God gave the parish? ’” — DEACON ROB RENSEL, FACILITIES DIRECTOR

These drawings depict how the columbarium expansion will look when completed. It is expected that the addition will be placed in August.

Anyone interested in joining the Facilities Ministry or gardening ministries may call the parish office at 360-754-4667.

The existing columbarium at Calvary Cemetery will be expanded.

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Stewardship of Treasure Giving to God First

H

ave you ever wondered why no one really becomes uneasy when someone brings up the first two “Ts” of stewardship – giving of your time or talents – but when the third “T” comes up, many of us become uncomfortable?

That third “T” is treasure, and some people simply become so annoyed by the subject, they tune out the words from the pulpit.

Why is there seemingly such an adverse reaction?

Our finances are such a personal subject.

Discussing money issues with others is not easy, and having someone tell us what to do with our finances is even worse. We earn the money, after all. So shouldn’t we decide what to do with it?

Of course, the answer is “yes” – we decide every day how to spend our hard-earned dollars. Indeed, the monetary choices we make will either keep our finances in check, or put us into the red. The average American family has about $7,000 in credit card debt – so finances certainly represent a challenge to our current society. Tight budgets, trying to “keep up with the Joneses” or poor financial management may

be to blame for our tight resources. Does this mean we do not have anything left over for God? Stewardship, at its roots, teaches that we are not supposed to give God our “leftovers.” We should instead strive to return to God a portion of our “first fruits” – giving to God first and then using the rest for our other needs. God gave us our talents that help us earn a living, after all. He should come first.

This idea can be worrisome for many. If our finances are already strained, how will we ever find enough to give back to God? Or, if we do try to give God our “first fruits,” will there be enough left over to cover our required expenses?

Taking the correct financial steps toward good stewardship simply boils down to trust – believing that God, who takes care of all of His creation, will take care of us. Trust that in giving to God first, we are both acknowledging that our multitude of blessings come from Him, and that we are thankful He chose to give them to us. And finally, trust that if we give to Him first, that all else will fall into place – because He is in ultimate control.

Stewardship, at its roots, teaches that we are not supposed to give God our “leftovers.” We should instead strive to return to God a portion of our “first fruits” – giving to God first and then using the rest for our other needs.

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The St. Vincent de Paul Society:

Serving Those Most in Need with Great Compassion

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has seemed to further divide those who have the means and those who are in need. And unfortunately, the pandemic has made it difficult to safely serve those who need it. But thanks to the good work of the St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Society, those in need are still getting help.

Saint Michael Steward for Community Outreach Kellie Patton serves as the staff liaison for the SVdP Society, which is a standalone nonprofit, but many SMP parishioners volunteer there.

“Volunteering through the St. Vincent de Paul Society is incredibly rewarding,” Kim Kondrat, former Steward for community outreach says. “These people are truly in need, and the volunteers don’t judge. They are so kind. Many of the volunteers have been doing this for years. It is a really dedicated group.”

The Vincentians, as they are called, use a model of visiting those in need. This part of the ministry shifted to virtual and phone visits in 2020 and early 2021, due to the threat of COVID-19. But this has also begun to

change as more people are vaccinated.

“In this sometimes harsh world, the gentle act of showing compassion goes a long way,” says Andy Jasaitis, who has been President of the SVdP Society for nearly a year. “Like many Vincentians, I feel that I get more out of the encounter, particularly spiritually, than those I serve.”

SVdP Society members gather at 2019 Mass on the Grass.

The SVdP Society members usually Thanks to the creativity and help about 60 families per month. work of Vincentians Steve Irwin The families are facing a variety of and Bob Hahn, the SMP Men’s hardships, from job losses to minor Shelter was made mobile, as it home and car repairs. In turn, the was not safe to be open during incurred expenses can be challenging the COVID-19 pandemic. The men for those who don’t have extra load up a U-Haul every one to two funds. The SVdP Society’s assistance months and stop at five or six sites, can come in many forms — help often near encampments for those with rent, utilities, prescriptions, or experiencing homelessness. They propane, to name a few. Vincentians will likely continue this model after also help those without identification the threat of the virus has passed. documents to obtain them.

Vincentians are guided by the continued on back cover

“In this sometimes harsh world, the gentle act of showing compassion goes a long way. Like many Vincentians, I feel that I get more out of the encounter, particularly spiritually, than those I serve.”

— Andy Jasaitis Kellie Patton, Steward for Community Outreach

Wood is delivered to a person unable to heat their home.

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PO Box766 | Olympia, WA 98507-0766 (360) 754-4667 | saintmichaelparish.org facebook.com/saintmichaelparish @smp.olympia saintmichaelparish youtube.com/c/saintmichaelparish

The St. Vincent de Paul Society example of Jesus, Society founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron St. Vincent de Paul. The Vincentians are truly an example of hope and love to those who are vulnerable, lonely, or forgotten.

“Most importantly, we do our best to represent God’s love to help those suffering,” Andy says. “We also refer and work together with many other interfaith, charitable, and government organizations to form a community of help.”

Andy and Kellie invite anyone who has a call to serve

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those in need to get involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. It is truly a way to help those most in need, especially as we move past many of the restrictions and difficulties brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Come help while growing in faith!

“If you have an inclination, a sense or are drawn to help a neighbor in need through actual interaction, then this is a great way to do it,” Andy says. “The Society of St. Vincent de Paul welcomes ‘all who wish to live their faith by loving and serving their neighbor.’”

If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about the ministry, please call 360-972-0661.

Main SVdP Line: 360-352-7554 Rental/Utilities Help: 360-972-0661 Email: stmichaelsvdpoly@gmail.com

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: Vigil 5 p.m. | Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. & 5 p.m.