www.saintmichaelparish.org

MASS TIMES: (Check page 2 for changes)

Downtown: 1055 Boundary St. SE

Monday - Thursday: Noon Friday & Saturday: 9am Saturday Vigil: 5pm, Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30am, 5pm

Westside Chapel: 1835 Overhulse Rd. NW

Thursday (1st & 3rd): 6:30am Sunday: 8:30am, 10:30am 2nd Sunday: 1:30pm (Vietnamese)

RECONCILIATION TIMES: Thursday: 11am Saturday: 9:45am, 3pm

PASTOR: Fr. Jim Lee PAROCHIAL VICAR: Fr. Cody Ross DEACONS: Rob Rensel Ronnie San Nicolas John BergfordGreg Snyder - Seminarian

Saint Michael ParishOlympia, WA

PARISH OFFICE (360) 754-4667 1208 11th Ave. SE, Olympia 98501

CALVARY CEMETERY ext. 138 3850 Cleveland Ave., Tumwater 98501

ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL (360) 754-5131

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Mon, Wed, Fri 1-3pm (360) 352-7554

CLOTHING BANK Tues & Sat 9-11am, Thur. 6:30-8pm

PREGNANCY AID (360) 956-7413 M, T, Th, Fri 2-4pm, Wed. 9am-Noon

ST. MIKE’S TIKES (360) 586-1585

OUR MISSION IS TO PLACE GOD FIRST IN ALL THINGS, TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, AND TO GROW IN HOLINESS THROUGH PRAYER, SACRAMENTS, AND SERVICE.

HIGHLIGHTS

Pastor’s Notebook...................................................................................................................1

Advent Content on FORMED..........................................................................................3

Christmas Mass Times.......................................................................................................4

Family Holy Hour.....................................................................................................................5

Simbang Gabi............................................................................................................................6

Mass & March for Life........................................................................................................6

Bilble Studies at SMP............................................................................................................7

XLT........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Mercy Reigns: Retreat Reflections............................................................................9

December 11, 2016 Third Sunday of Advent

Matthew 11:2-11

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DECEMBER 11, 2016 - THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

How is Advent going? This is a good question to ask ourselves as we celebrate the halfway mark today. We are blessed this year with a full four weeks of Advent before we celebrate Christmas.

It might be good for us to take some time today to personally, and maybe with our family members, take stock as to where we’ve been these past two weeks and what we would like to see happen during these next two. I am offering this reflection because I realized in my prayer this morning that I really haven’t been focusing much on Advent. Nothing has really changed in my heart, my attitude or my actions. I am just going along with my daily routine – same old, same old.

It hit me that if I want my heart to be alive, my spirit yearning and soaring, then I need to “wake up” as Jesus told us in the Gospel for the first Sunday of Advent. I’ve been “sleep walking” through Advent so far and that usually doesn’t bode well for the future. So if this happens to be where you’re at on your Advent journey, I’d ask that we pray for one another. Let us help one another to “wake up,” “get up,” and continue our journey to the mountain of the Lord. “Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, so to those whose hearts are frightened, ‘Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, He comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.”

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

We welcome a reflection at several Masses this weekend about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) ministry at St. Michael. CGS is a Montessori-based faith formation ministry in which children and adults gather in a retreat-like setting called the Atrium to contemplate the mystery of God in a deeply peace-filled environment. In particular, our speaker Carrie Cortes-Monroy is focusing on how the CGS spirituality has been an essential guide in her own adult faith journey. Many opportunities for adults to explore this spirituality for themselves exist. Our CGS ministry will be sponsoring an adult book study starting in January on The History of the Kingdom of God, Part 1: From Creation to Parousia by CGS co-founder Sofia Cavalletti. A regional CGS adult formation event begins on January 7-8 at St. Michael Parish. Interested in learning more? Please contact Mary Trotter at mtrotter@saintmichaelparish.org

Divine Renovation

This is a title of a book by Fr. James Mallon from the Diocese of Nova Scotia. It has been a source of reflection for several councils and commissions and the parish staff. Fr. Mallon is an astute observer of the state of the Catholic Church. He is also open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in responding to the challenges we face.

I thought that this would also be a good title for follow-up on my reflections last weekend as I shuttled back and forth to all the Masses. If you were not with us last weekend, please check out my homily at our website and on the parish app. In summary, I presented some basic theological concepts about sacred space, our Parish Strategic Plan and Vision for 2026 and how we might renovate our Downtown Church and augment our Westside Chapel so as to respond to the element of Worship which states: In 2026, celebration of the Eucharist at St. Michael Parish is:

• Welcoming to all, where a pervasive sense of family makes everyone feel at home

• Celebrated in grand fashion through proclamation of the Word and music that stirs all to full participation

• Filled with the presence of God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

• Beautiful in décor and setting befitting worship and praise for God

• Characterized by full participation and joyful energy that engages the heart, mind and soul

• Respectful of an individual’s need for quiet reverence

• Challenging and motivating for everyone to live Christ’s example

• Food for all who yearn and hunger for the saving grace of the Eucharist.

Please visit our website to see the handout and also to participate in a short online survey. It is only nine questions with room for comments. Your input is extremely important. We will have a FAQ sheet in response to your comments and questions, and we will also be providing further information in the coming weeks and months. Let us pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this holy endeavor.

Advent Concert

Don’t miss it! This Friday evening, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Downtown Church, members of our choirs will be leading us in an evening of prayer and song. What a great gift of their Stewardship!

In Christ, I love you,

PASTOR’S NOTEBOOK

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www.saintmichaelparish.org

CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURSDecember 23: Closing at 12noon

December 24, 25 & 26: Closed

December 27 & 28: Open 9am-3pm

December 29 & 30: Closed

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Bill & Janis GranvilleSharon DovellGene Putscher Pat O’Neill Giorgio BresdaJessica & Justin Spurrier The Patten FamilyPatricia Benedict Janet Schwarz Doug HolcombJackson SteeleJoey Lynn BenckMarthaDebbie PierceyRick Kunkle LaFond Family Adderley Family Arlene Cooper Theresa Nye Cindy Lambert Maryann MorrisOde JohnsenJeanette NielsonRick SlenesLeon GrahamRachel HoAveryDon Alder Hilary Borngesser The O’Sullivan Family Michael Petrino Nancy CosgroveStanBarbara Jean Smith Janette Akehurst Chi & Lan Nguyen’s Family Olivia CaseyArt G.Shane SampsonChristin BergeronJoy Foy

Ken Spiels ZanetaPatty LeiningerKarla BlandAvery ShawverTami GrantRobert KellyTeresa Labouff family Billy HyltonTonya HyltonShirley Hylton Theresa Hylton Natalia ShtirbuMarianna JarrettGeri Wiskirken Constance PatnudeJanice Putnam Rosanne BurnsThe Riley Family Susan Josephine Malinao Mary Anderson Jim & Sue Anderson Dan Damian Sr. Martin Barkis Cara & Brian Barkis Nancy Leone Carmen McHugh James Anderson Brandon and LandyMarva Lamb Bruce Sherman Bruce & Betty DavidsonBob HainesBruce TaylorNemi WrightEileen HoodJilsonPrescott FamilyGeorge KollDave PulaskiJohn McKillipRobert BrownLarry Ross

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

12/12 MONDAY

12noon - Mary Kim U

12/13 TUESDAY

12Noon - Lucio Caballero U

12/14 WEDNESDAY

12Noon - Katherine Ann Helmerson U

12/15 THURSDAY

6:30am - Doug Crombie Westside

11:00am Tina Brookshire U

12/16 FRIDAY

9:00am - Vila Narozonick U

12/17 SATURDAY

9:00am - John Zinnikas U

5:00pm - Stacia Adderley U

12/18 SUNDAY Fourth Sunday of Advent

7:30am - Tom Allen

8:30am - Jane Marryfield U Westside

9:30am - Jim McKinley U

10:30am - Steve Pool U Westside

11:30am - George Polyak

5:00pm - People of St. Michael Parish

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS

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 wishes to receive Holy Communion, please call: Benedetta Reece at (360) 292-7143 or Dcn. Terry Barber at Sacred Heart Parish at (360) 491-0890.

*We offer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick as well as the blessing of religious articles at the 9am Mass on the first Saturday of every month.

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ADVENT CONTENT ON FORMED God Made Man In this Christmas themed presentation, Fr. Shannon Collins sheds new light on the biblical narratives of the birth of Jesus Christ, as well as the beautiful Christmas traditions of the Church.

Fr. Collins serves as a preacher of parish missions and retreat master. Fr. Collins has appeared on EWTN and has been stationed at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville Alabama.

The Story of the Nativity The story of the birth of Jesus is often misunderstood. But this fast-paced, thought-provoking look at the true story of the Nativity clears away widespread misunderstandings of Jesus’ origin. Join top scholars, inspirational speakers, and popular authors as they explain the story behind the story of the birth of Jesus.

give

Because of your faithful stewardship, every parishioner can experience hundreds of hours of viewing, reading, and listening to the best Catholic content. Enrich your life and bless your family—sign up and begin using FORMED today!

GO TO: WWW.FORMED.ORG ENTER OUR PARISH CODE: V6GRWQ

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

Pastoral Year 2016-2017Donations Received as of December 4, 2016

Sunday Stewardship $48,247

Online Giving $24,384

Sunday Loose Donations $1,514

Holy Days $0

Youth (Little House) $ 1 6 5

Total Offertory Collection Received $74,310

Year to Date Received $1,329,612

Total Donations Needed $1,284,964

Ahead of Goal $44,648

STEWARDSHIP

IRA CHARITABLE GIFT ROLLOVEROnce again, we are passing along some general information about the IRA Charitable Rollover, which became law in Decem-ber 2015. It’s a good option for people over a certain age who do not need all or a portion of their IRA income, and want to support Saint Michael Parish

Criteria for making this gift:

-Donor must be age 70 ½ or older

-Donor may transfer up to $100,000 directly from IRA to Saint Michael Parish

-Gift may be made at one-time, or multiple times within a single year (as long as total does not exceed $100,000)

-Gift may satisfy all or part of required minimum distribution (RMD)

-Gift may be made at any time — there is no expiration date

If you would like to make a gift to Saint Michael Parish using your IRA Charitable Gift, contact your IRA custodian and ask to make a direct transfer to Saint Michael Parish. While there is no charitable income tax deduction for the IRA Charitable Rollover, the distribution is not included in your taxable income, thus sim-plifying your tax return and saving some tax. An added bonus is that an IRA rollover by December 31, 2016 will qualify for all or part of the IRA owner’s required minimum distribution for 2016.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call Terry Walter at the Parish office.

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ANOINTING OF THE SICKIn the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and some-times even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to con-quer sin and death by his dying and rising. The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.

Please call the parish office at (360) 754-4667 for more information.

ADVENT MORNING OF REFLECTIONThe Art of Discipleship

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10am to 12noon

Downtown Church

Take a morning away from the hustle and bustle to feed your soul this Advent. Sr. Gertrude Feick O.S.B. has been invited to present a morning of reflection.

Sr. Gertrude Feick, OSB, a Benedictine Sister of Mt. Angel, Oregon, serves as Executive Director of the Benedictine Institute at Saint Martin's University, Lacey. She holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Rome, Italy.

All are welcome. Bring a spouse or a friend!

Contact: Michelle Clinton (360) 292-7111 mclinton@saintmichaelparish.org

BEDDING DRIVE AT SMP: THANK YOU NOTEI thought I had asked for twelve sets of sheets. I received 91 sets of sheets plus two pillows!

I want to thank everyone who donated these items to the parish of St. Catherine of Siena in Petersburg and St. Rose of Lima in Wrangell Alaska. It was some-what overwhelming and I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am. The extra sheets I took out to the Shrine of St. Therese of Lisieux, a retreat center about 20 miles north of Juneau. There are a number of bunks and houses and cabins there for retreats, conferences etc and they have the same issue with budgeting as do most of our parishes - postage and handling kills us. Your generosity has been gratefully received.

If anyone is in the area be sure to "drop in" for a visit. I'm a great tour guide when time permits.

Blessings and love to you all,

Fr. Steve GallagherPastor, St. Catherine of Siena, Petersburg & St. Rose of Lima, Wrangell, Alaska

UPDATE: Christmas Eve Vietnamese Mass is at 11pm. Christmas Morning Masses are Downtown only at 9:30am & 11:30am.

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LIQUOR WITH THE VICARWednesday, December 21, 6:30pm to 8:30pm

O'Blarney's: 4411 Martin Way East, Olympia, WA 98516

Join us for an evening of fellowship and discussion with guest speaker Fr. Cody Ross. Please wear your favorite Ugly Christmas Sweater and bring a gift for our White Elephant Exchange. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you there!

Contact: Elizabeth Lyons • (360) 292-7119 • elyons@saintmichaelparish.org

connect

HAPPENINGS

SMP ADVENT CONCERTFriday, December 16 at 7pm at the Downtown Church

Join us for an evening of Advent music!

The Parishioners in our Music Ministries have been hard at work preparing an array of musical selections. All are welcome to attend and we guarantee that you'll walk away filled with the joy and warmth of the Advent Season.

FAMILY HOLY HOURSunday, December 11 from 2:15pm to 3:15pm at the Downtown Saint Joseph Chapel

Come and pray as a family during Advent as we prepare for Jesus' coming at Christmas! The family holy hour includes Eucharistic adoration, benediction, and the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Contact: Deacon Ronnie San Nicolas • (360) 250-6626

NEW TO THE PARISH?Sunday, December 18 after the 9:30am Mass

Join us for our monthly Orientation!

Join your hosts, Mike and Sharon Rushing, by the baptismal font immediately following Mass. You’ll be treated to a tour of our facilities and a meet & greet with Fr. Jim. Staff will also be available to answer any questions you might have. Welcome to our parish family - we can’t wait to meet you!

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAININGTuesday, December 13 at 1:30pm in Parish Center Room 7

To sign up for the class, Protecting God's Children, please visit www.virtusonline.org. For further assistance, please call the parish office.

Contact: Annelise O'Neill • (360) 292-7141 • aoneill@saintmichaelparish.org

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SIMBANG GABI COMMISSIONING MASSSaturday, December 10 at 11am at St. James Cathedral 1104 Spring St, Seattle

Archdiocesan Mass where Filipino Catholics gather to usher in the start of Simbang Gabi - a novena of Masses to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as she prayerfully awaits the birth of Christ. At this commissioning Mass, Bishop Elizondo, blesses the Simbang Gabi parish coordinators and their parols (star lanterns symbolizing the light of Christ) and sends them back to their parishes to share the joyful celebration of Simbang Gabi with their respective communities. All are welcome!

SIMBANG GABISunday, December 18 at the 11:30am Mass

Saint Michael Parish will host a Simbang Gabi to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as she prayerfully awaits the birth of Christ. Like Mary, we wish to prepare a spiritual place for Jesus.

Sacred Heart Choir will sing the music in Tagalog.

Contact: Leovy Cabrera • (360) 357-6876

HAPPENINGS

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FIESTA DE LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPELa Parroquia de St. Michael extiende una cordial invitación a toda la comunidad a la celebración de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Madre de las Américas, que está programada el lunes día 12 de diciembre en la parroquia localizada en 1208 11th Ave. SE, en Olympia. Las Mañanitas y el Rezo del Santo Rosario empiezan a las 6:00 de la mañana y la Santa Misa Solemne a las 7 a.m. con el P. Justin McCreedy y el Diácono Arturo Ramírez. Vengan a compartir en esta preciosa fiesta de la Virgen donde nos acompañaran maria-chis y cantantes con piñatas para los niños. Se les invita a una recepción al final de la Misa patrocinada por la comu-nidad Hispana. Para mayor información, llamen a Elizabeth Lyons a la Parroquia St. Michael (360) 754.4667 o a Jane Villanueva, (360) 489.0895.

MASS & MARCH FOR LIFEMonday, Jan 23, 2017

Mass will be held at 9:30am at St. Martin's University in Lacey (Marcus Pavilion). March to follow at the State Capitol in Olympia. For more information, please visit the Seattle Archdiocesan website at: www.seattlearchdiocese.org. Click on: "Faith Formation/Events and Resources"

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SMALL GROUPS — WEEK 6 — GIVE This week Fr. Jim reminds us that God's plan for our lives may be differ-ent than our plan. God's plan is often so much more profound. We need to trust; to go deeper into God's plan. Being a Catholic today is not easy, as it is often at odds with the culture. This week we should try to not focus on the stuff around us. We should try to focus on the true gift, the lasting gift, Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Church.I f you were unable to join the 300+ parishioners prepar-ing for Advent in small groups, you can follow along by using the reflection sheets and Fr. Jim/Fr. Cody's videos posted on the website at saintmichael-parish.org/learn/small groups. Click on “Resources”. Contact: Michaela Moreau smp.smallgroups@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS EVE REENACTMENTTell the good news!

Help share the Gospel at 5PM Christmas Eve Mass in a Gospel reenactment. This is a yearly SMP tradition that is open to children ages Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Rehearsals: Dec. 12, 13, 19 6:30-8:00pm

Dress Rehearsal: Dec. 20 6:30-8:30pm

Contact: Leanne Bergford (360) 292-7112 lbergford@saintmichaelparish.org

serve

CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S BIBLESA new shipment of St. Mary’s Press Catholic Children’s Bibles and custom zippered Bible covers are now avail-able at the Parish office! This is a full text Bible in a translation accessi-ble to children. Unique color coded navigational aids give children, even non-readers, the opportunity to locate passages by chapter and verse. Pick up a copy for your children or grandchildren today! Suggested dona-tion: Bible $20,Cover $5

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CLOTHING BANKWinter is just around the corner! St. Vincent DePaul Clothing Bank is seeking donations of new or gently used warm winter clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, and coats. Also, new socks and under-wear are always especially appreciated. Donation Receipts are available inside the donation shed located in the upper parking lot, ground floor level of the Rectory building. Thank you for your continuous generosity!

THURSTON COUNTY COOKIE & SOCKS DRIVESaint Michael Parish is collecting cookies and white gym socks for incar-cerated inmates in Thurston County Jails. Donations will be accepted at the parish office from Dec.11 – Dec. 15.

Contact: Bene Reece (360) 292-7143 breece@saintmichaelparish.org

BIBLE STUDIESWe have two new Bible Studies begin-ning at Saint Michael Parish in 2017.

•Catholicism Series: Friday evenings at 6:30pm. Beginning in January.

•Ephesians: Thursday mornings at 9am. Beginning in February.

Bible Studies are a wonderful way to grow in your faith in a group setting, We would love to have you join us! If you would like to sign up for a Bible Study Series or would like more infor-mation, please call the Parish office.

Contact: Elizabeth Lyons (360) 292-7119 elyons@saintmichaelparish.org

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CHRISTMAS GIVING AT SMPGift Tag Selection Weekend: Dec. 10/11

Gift Collection Due Dates: Dec. 17/18

Saint Michael Parish is participating in the Christmas Giving program again this year!

Our support for the children of the Tumwater School District started at the Southside in 1995 and moved to the Westside in 2003. Since then, the people attending the 8:30am and 10:30am Masses have provided gifts for about 120 children from low income families each year.

Downtown the Christmas Giving gift tags support St. Mike's Tikes, Drexel House residents, and Catholic Community Services clients.

Each tag will list the recipient's gender and age and a "wish list" of one to three gifts. Please choose a tag and purchase

one or more of the gifts on the wish list. Return the unwrapped gift(s), with the original gift tag securely attached, to the same SMP campus that you picked up the tag. Since the Downtown and Westside campuses support different organizations, it is very important that the gifts are returned to the same place that the gift tag came from. All gifts must be brought to the Christmas Giving display or to the Westside chapel by Sunday, December 11, so that they can be gathered and distributed in time for Christmas.

Many thanks to those of you who have participated in past years. We look forward to your continued generosity this year.

UPDATE: Downtown gift tags are still available to be picked up this weekend, Dec 11th/12th. The Downtown gifts need to be dropped off at the Parish Office no later than Dec. 17/18. Thank you to everyone for making this year extra special for so many in need. May God bless you richly this year!

Contact: Greg Snyder • (360) 292-7108 • gsnyder@saintmichaelparish.org

share

www.saintmichaelparish.org

My relationship with God has grown because I know God

loves me unconditionally, and I know more about Him and how

to talk to Him.

-Sarah

A highlight from the fall retreat

was listening to all the different

stories of mercy that people

shared and how God us working

in their lives.

-Maggie

Adoration was very powerful

for me because I had never

had an experience like that.

-Elena

I will now try to forgive people more easily and let go of what happened. I will also try to be more merciful to others. -Kathryn

I grew closer to God in

adoration and while pray-

ing the entire weekend.

-Sam

My highlight from this retreat is growing in community and grow-ing in my relationship with God during adoration. I learned how much mercy can change both the way you think of people and the way you act. -Kobe

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Mercy reigns: retreat reflections

Rachel Yabut, Steward for EDGE and Middle School Ministry (360) 292-7137 ryabut@saintmichaelparish.org

Chris Peterson, Steward for Faith Formation and Life Teen (360) 292-7106 cpeterson@saintmichaelparish.org

YOUTH MINISTRY

LIFE NIGHT

TONIGHT:Life of Grace

NEXT WEEK:

XLT

EDGE NIGHT

TONIGHT:The Pursuit of Happiness

NEXT WEEK:XLT