Saint Michael Parish Newsletter — September 2021

What’s Inside: 3

September: An Ongoing Opportunity to Change the World

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Music Ministry Joyfully Lifts up Our Prayer and Worship in Song

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Stewardship The Four Pillars

7 Men’s Shelter Radiates

Love to Those Most in

Need Throughout Our Community

SEPTEMBER 2021

Setting the PACE for Our Youth The Providing Access to Catholic Education (PACE) Program Opens the Door for More Students to Grow in Knowledge and Faith

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onnor Geraghty grew The Providing Access up attending Catholic to Catholic Education schools from kindergarten program, or PACE, could through high school in the radically change who has Archdiocese of Seattle. access to this education, for He received a formative the goal of PACE is to fully education and a love of fund our Catholic school learning, a love of the art through the stewardship of and craft of teaching, and our parishioners. eventually a love of Catholic “As a parish school, we school leadership. are the last ministry not “I’ve been a recipient of fully funded by the parish,” The goal of PACE is to fully fund Mr. Geraghty says. “The this incredible gift that my our Catholic school through the goal for PACE is to build parents sacrificed for, and stewardship of our parishioners.

I know what it has done and create a model that in my life and the foundation that has results in the funding of our Catholic been built through Catholic education,” school without charging tuition. It is a Mr. Geraghty says. “I also know that the natural extension of who we are as a door isn’t open for everyone considering stewardship parish. It is a big extension, the cost of Catholic education, and I have but a natural one.” always been aware of that.”

In 2018, Fr. Jim Lee commissioned continued on page 2

Setting the PACE for Our Youth a task force to create a working plan to lead the faith community toward this goal. The task force has seven components and a timeline that keeps its members moving forward to the goal, which is fully funding Saint Michael Parish School by 2026.

“That goal is not an arbitrary one because it was part of our parish’s strategic plan,” Mr. Geraghty says. “One of our initiatives was to fully fund Catholic education, and this is the means to get there. We’re on track with the timeline and the next steps are focusing on inspiring our parish with this awesome vision.”

Some steps have already been made toward this goal.

In the last 10 years, the school had raised tuition three to six percent each year, but last year, it was only a one-and-a-halfpercent increase. This next year, tuition rates are frozen.

“That means a zero-percent increase, and that is fairly unprecedented in Catholic education,” Mr. Geraghty says.

“Now we’re going to reduce tuition annually until tuition is fully funded in 2026. It is the culmination of Fr. Jim’s vision and heart of stewardship. It has been a dream of his for many years.”

PACE is our parish’s commitment to both stewardship and Catholic education, and how those two interact. For Mr. Geraghty, Catholic education led him into Catholic school leadership and being part of the formation of young people on their stewardship journeys.

“I feel that being the Principal at Saint Michael Parish School is really the culmination of this experience of being a student in Catholic education,” Mr. Geraghty says. “I certainly feel called to give back in the same archdiocese that shaped my own faith. This is a privilege.”

This fall, the communications team for the PACE task force will be leading the way in increasing visibility and sharing information with the faith community through videos, testimonies, and other means.

“It’s entering more of a public phase where we’ve done a lot of the behind-the-scenes work,” Mr. Geraghty says. “Now we want to connect with the parishioners and invite them publicly into this vision so that, together, we can make this a reality.”

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Look for more details about PACE and about how our faith community is embarking on a new journey that will hopefully offer other parishes and schools a model of radically living stewardship.

“We have this goal of accessibility, to open the doors wider, and to welcome more parishioners so that they can see Catholic education as an option,” Mr. Geraghty says. “To be part of that is an honor, and I pray that we can see this to the finish line.”

The Providing Access to Catholic Education program, or PACE, could radically change who has access to Catholic education.

PACE is our parish’s commitment to both stewardship and Catholic education, and how those two interact.

If you would like more information about PACE (Providing Access to Catholic Education), please reach out to Mr. Connor Geraghty at connect@stmikesolympia.org.

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A Letter From Our Pastor

An Ongoing Opportunity to Change the World My dear sisters and brothers,

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love hearing those words at Mass whenever we read from any of St. Paul’s letters. He had this profound understanding that those who follow Jesus Christ were, in Christ, truly sisters and brothers, a community of believers, a family of faith. Throughout my many years as your pastor, I have come to experience this over and over again as I have gotten to know you and you have so lovingly invited me into your lives. I have shared so many moments of joy, excitement, happiness, success, and milestones. You have also allowed me to share in your sufferings and pain, your sadness and disappointments, your losses, and your grief.

For this, I am profoundly grateful and deeply touched.

As St. Paul says, we truly are the Body of Christ, each of us unique and important, created in God’s image. We truly are a family in the way we care for one another, treat one another, and reflect the image of God to one another and to the world. This is a huge task, yet one that the Church has been engaged in since its very beginning at Pentecost. From that moment, the Church went out to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Christians were different than the prevailing culture. Christians stood out because they cared for the poor, the widow and the orphan, the sick and the dying, visiting those in prison and feeding those physically and spiritually hungry.

We now refer to these actions as the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. They are rooted in sacred Scripture. The Church, in its wisdom, has developed from them what we now refer to as “Catholic Social Teaching,” which is rooted in a commitment to the physically and spiritually poor. These are the beliefs that guide Catholics on how to apply the faith to all aspects of life, and they lay the framework for the Church’s teaching on the dignity and sacredness of human life. Once we make a commitment to be disciples of Jesus and pursue stewardship as a way of life, the principles of Catholic Social Teaching become easy to incorporate into our daily lives, in our thoughts, words, and deeds.

We have a long tradition here at Saint Michael Parish of living the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. As you read last month in the stewardship newsletter, the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society continued even amid

all the challenges of COVID. Pregnancy Aid, preparing meals at the community kitchen and providing meals for the interfaith shelter, and our ongoing yearly commitment to the men’s shelter, have continued despite the hurdles we’ve had to overcome. Please make sure you read the article in this newsletter about the men’s shelter and our new coordinator, Rick Kelling.

August found us once again responding to the Little Red Schoolhouse appeal for school supplies for children. Our August stewardship newsletter highlighted our Shoulder to Shoulder Ministry, which offers assistance to our own parishioners who find themselves in difficult situations. Thanksgiving and Christmas will once again give us an opportunity to assist families in our local community.

I’m so grateful to each and every one of you for this collective effort in serving the poor. Though we have accomplished much, there are always many more opportunities to serve. Many of us personally need to get involved in these ministries. In our stewardship renewal this November, we will have the opportunity to take a step in our stewardship of talent and make a commitment to become involved. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has a great love and regard for the poor and, like Jesus, he reminds us often of what we need to do. Pope Francis once said in a homily, “The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty.”

Together, we can make a difference. Please take some time this month to pray about how the Lord is asking you to respond to the Corporal and Spiritual needs of our sisters and brothers in Christ. As Cardinal Dolan stated, “We help others not because they are Catholic, but because we are Catholic.”

In Christ, I love you.

Fr. Jim

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Music Ministry

JOYFULLY LIFTS UP

Erika Peterson

Andrew Goldstein

A Note From Fr. Jim: This article was written in early August. Since then there have been further developments in response to the coronavirus. As you read this in September, know that we have and will continue to follow archdiocesan guidelines concerning communal singing. Keeping everyone safe and healthy is a primary concern for us. Thank you for your continued flexibility.

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n mid-July, Saint Michael Parish began singing again, and no one was happier than Andrew Goldstein, Steward for Music Ministries. It was the first time in 17 months that we were able to take part in congregational singing, ever since COVID-19 silenced us in March 2020.

Andrew greatly missed being able to have our music ensembles and our congregation sing together during Mass.

“Here at Saint Michael Parish, we highly value singing, and prior to COVID, the first thing that struck me is that everybody sang,” he says. “Four years ago, when I started here, it was incredibly moving to be responsible for guiding the congregation in singing and giving them the tools to participate in worship.

The strangest thing was that during COVID, especially now, I felt like something was missing. An important part of how we worship together was not there.”

In preparation for that special weekend in July, the ensembles were anticipating a very emotional, joyful,

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and uplifting time.

“We were ready to give the people the ‘OK’ to sing together and be in community that way,” Andrew says.

It is a rebuilding, of sorts, of the music ministry.

One of the ensembles in the middle of a rebuilding phase is our Life Teen Band, led by Erika Peterson.

Many members had to step down due to the COVID restrictions, but several new members are joining the group. The ensemble plays contemporary Christian music at the 5 p.m. Sunday Masses, using guitars, drums, and appropriate instruments.

Like Andrew, Erika missed being with the band during the COVID closures. It was difficult to celebrate Mass with no one present, and she particularly missed not being able to receive Communion.

“And when we did come back, we couldn’t sing for a long time, until a couple of weeks ago,” Erika says. “When I came up to the ambo for the Psalm, I was taken back with how overwhelming it was. When I said, ‘sing with me,’ it was pretty overwhelming and

O U R P R AY E R A N D WO R S H I P I N S O N G I felt so sad for the past year when we couldn’t sing.

I felt a real responsibility to sing for them during that time, lifting up their prayers as my own in song.”

Sharing talents and gifts is integral for the entire music ministry, and for Erika, this act of stewardship means a lot to her.

“I feel for me, my main gift is singing,” Erika says. “I feel God gave me this gift so I can communicate with Him. It’s my form of communicating with God and if I can help others in this, that is what I want to do. God gives us gifts to honor and glorify Him and draw closer to Him. I feel that’s why God gave me this gift.”

As we return to singing together again, Andrew shares how he is once again able to combine his gifts, embodied in his two worlds of study — vocal performance and music management.

“When this job opened it was a real unexpected calling,” he says. “Being part of many choirs and ensembles, with organizational experience and using music as the way to have an experience of the Divine, it’s been a real calling to use this in ministry.”

As we enter the month of September, Andrew is anticipating working with our musicians to address changes that took place during the last year and a half in the music of the Church, particularly the music for the Eucharist. There will be video and audio recordings shared with our parishioners so we can become familiar with these changes.

New members are welcome for all SMP ensembles. The skills required for singers are being able to either read or learn music well enough to be able to sing it back. Instrumentalists should have some dexterity on their instruments.

Andrew asks that potential members understand that their work is a form of prayer and that they will be both helping to lead the congregation in song while being a part of the congregation themselves.

“We’re leaders and also part of the congregation,” Andrew says. “We’re looking for people who understand it — who are talented, humble, and submit themselves to playing music and being open to what the Holy Spirit does musically.”

Those interested in joining may contact Andrew Goldstein at 360-292-7140, or Erika Peterson at 360-754-4667.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR

OUR PARISH RETREAT You are invited to join us for our Parish Retreat on Sept.

11, as we welcome Lisa McArdle, who will be leading a presentation on “Stewardship in the Family.”

For information or to RSVP, please contact Chris Peterson at cpeterson@saintmichaelparish.org.

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STEWARDSHIP

THE FOUR PILLARS

You’ve heard about the three Ts of stewardship, but what about the four Ps? The three Ts – Time, Talent, and Treasure – describe the personal gifts we offer to the Church. The four Ps are the Four Pillars of Parish Stewardship described by the renowned pastor Msgr. Thomas McGread. They are the hallmark of a stewardship parish – Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service. Let’s take a look at each of them to understand how we can improve in each area.

Hospitality Christian Kindness “When I was a stranger, you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).

The Gospel teaches that whenever we welcome the least of our brothers or sisters, we welcome Christ Himself. That is why the first mark of a stewardship parish is hospitality. Being friendly is one of the first ways we can be Christ-like toward others.

Modern Catholic parishes are often so large and have so many Masses that many parishioners don’t know one another. To create a sense of community, be sure to smile and greet others as you enter and exit the Church. Let’s try harder than ever to be a welcoming community.

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Prayer Heart-to-Heart with God “Do not become so involved in the work of the Lord that you forget the Lord of the work,” a seminary professor once taught. In other words, don’t get so caught up with parish projects and outreach efforts that you forget to draw aside to spend time with God in prayer. Every great saint has taught that prayer is the most essential component in the life of the Christian.

Through prayer, we nurture our most important relationship – the one that will last for all eternity.

A healthy prayer life should include communal prayer such as Mass, as well as personal prayer and family prayer. The two biggest obstacles to prayer are lack of time and lack of understanding of how to pray. We have to schedule time for prayer just as we would for an important appointment. And we have to learn how to pray from other people. Many saints have written spiritual books that describe different methods of prayer.

Formation Continuous Conversion Pope John Paul II always emphasized ongoing conversion.

From childhood through adulthood, our whole life must be a process of drawing closer to God. He never stops calling us forward to learn more and to examine ourselves more deeply.

Very often our society values material things more than interior virtues. But as personal experience shows, when we finally acquire the car or house or “toy” that we wanted so badly, it doesn’t really satisfy. On the other hand, we don’t tend to desire spiritual virtues with the same kind of longing, but when we actually have them, we find them far more rewarding than material things.

Service Love in Action “Amen I say to you, whatever you did to the least of my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). This Scripture was one of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s favorites. Each time she picked up a poor and hungry child, she knew she was ministering to Christ. While we may not view ourselves as saints, we too are called to such heroic service right within our own community. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “To be a saint is not the privilege of a few, but the duty of everyone.”

We have many service opportunities right here within our own parish. If you have the willingness to serve and take the initiative to find where you are needed, you’ll find that there is no end to the families and individuals who truly need help. How can you reach out to them in love?

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Men’s Shelter Radiates Love

to Those Most in Need Throughout Our Community

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here are stories of people in need all across the world — anywhere we turn, there seems to be suffering. As Christians, we want to help. As Jesus said in Matthew chapter 25, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Rick Kelling, Men’s Shelter coordinator, and Kellie Patton, Saint Michael Parish Administrative Assistant, ask us all to see the need right here in our own area.

There are people experiencing homelessness and we have a unique opportunity to help.

“We are called to serve,” Kellie says. “When we receive Holy Communion and engage with Christ in this most intimate way, we should allow that great love to radiate out. What a huge gift it is to touch another’s life with that most sacred loving spirit.”

“I have so much to be thankful for and I want to give to others who are less fortunate than I,” Rick says.

In a partnership with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lacey, the SMP Men’s Shelter is operated as a coldweather shelter that runs from November through the end of March. The men spend the night here four nights per week and at Sacred Heart three nights per week. Intercity Transit is also a partner in this work, and during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they sent buses to the churches to transport the men back to the

downtown area.

SMP also works with other homelessness providers in the area when there is extreme cold. In this case, temporary 24-hour shelters are offered at several places.

When the men arrive, they find a cot, and SMP Laundry Angels will wash their clothes for them. The men also receive a meal, made by volunteer chefs, and have a chance to take a shower. There is usually a movie offered before “lights out.” In the morning, their laundry is returned and they receive a cup of coffee and a sack lunch. Someone from SMP is available to discuss resources if the men need them. Often, hygiene kits are also distributed.

Rick does this work because he believes this is an amazing way to support those in need, right here in Olympia.

“I can only afford to contribute so much of my financial resources, but I have a lot of time,” Rick says. “I try to volunteer in ways that I think utilize my strengths.”

This is truly a large effort, Rick, Kellie, and all the staff at SMP are thankful for the 50 chefs, 48 hosts, and 25 Laundry Angels, all of whom contribute to make this ministry a reality.

More help is always needed. You can consider becoming a chef, host, or Laundry Angel. Help is also continued on back cover

Volunteers took care of additional cleaning to keep everyone safe during the pandemic.

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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

Men’s Shelter Radiates Love needed to prepare the hygiene kits or sack lunches, and donated items are needed to fill them. Monetary donations also support this work. Importantly, we must all pray for the men who visit the shelter.

“So often, they feel unloved, alone, and unwanted by society,” Kellie says. “Please pray that they come to recognize themselves as beloved children of God.” “We have a super team of volunteers at the Men’s Shelter,” Rick says. “Come see the good you can do and the difference that is possible in providing our guests a safe, comfortable shelter for a single night.”

Rick wants to thank all those who have made it possible to continue this ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were still men in need, and they increased their capacity from 20 to 30 beds since other shelters were closed at the time.

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“We have a super team of volunteers at the Men’s Shelter. Come see the good you can do and the difference that is possible in providing our guests a safe, comfortable shelter for a single night.”

— RICK KELLING, MEN’S SHELTER COORDINATOR

If you would like to get involved in the Men’s Shelter, please call SMP at 360-754-4667 or email Kellie Patton at kpatton@saintmichaelparish.org.

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: Vigil 5pm | Sunday: 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am & 5pm.