3314 So 58th Street Tacoma, WA 98409

Phone (253) 473-4960 Fax (253) 474-8378

www.VisitationChurch.org

Closed February 19,2018

Office Hours Monday10am—12:30pm

Tuesday thru Friday 10am—4pm Closed for Lunch

12:30pm—1:30pm

Ministries to the Poor

Phone: (253) 474-0835

Sandwich Ministry M, W & F 10am—Noon

Food Bank T & Thurs, 10am—Noon

St. Vincent DePaul / Vouchers T & Thurs. 10am—Noon (By appointment only)

Visitation Catholic STEM Academy

3306 So 58th Street Tacoma, WA 98409

Phone (253) 474-6424 Fax (253) 474-6718

www.VisitationStemAcademy.org

Marc Nuno, Principal Margie Mykland, Admin. Assistant

Weekend Sunday 8am & 10am

Rosary: following the 8am Mass

Weekdays Tuesday & Thursday 7:15am

Saturday 9am Confessions:

30 minutes following each Mass

Monday 9:30am-12:30pm Tuesday 4pm-7pm Saturday 8-8:45am

For Emergencies call (253) 473-4960

For additional information on: Sacramental Preparation requirements, registration forms, Bulletins and more information about us, please visit our website at www.visitationchurch.org

Parish

Deacon Mike Teskey

Brian Grossman, PA Admin.

Kristen Abbananto, PA Faith Formation

Victoria Solenberger, Music Director

Jeannine Wargo, Calendar/Facilities Nicki Russell, Calendar/Facilities

Kathy McSperitt, Bulletin Editor

Fr. Michael Wagner, Priest Administrator

Holy Mass / Confession

Adoration

Parish / School Administration

February 04, 2018

Lent is right around the corner!

Ash Wednesday is a week and a half away (Feb 14th), and in order to get our minds turning as to what we are going to take on during Lent.

Fasting and abstinence are closely related, but there are some differences in these spiritual practices. In general, fasting refers to restrictions on the quantity of the food we eat and on when we consume it, while abstinence in the realm of food refers to the avoidance of particular foods. The most common form of abstinence is the avoidance of meat, a spiritual practice that goes back to the earliest days of the Church.

Before Vatican II, Catholics were required to abstain from meat every Friday, as a form of penance in honor of the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross on Good Friday. However, as you will see below the Church still recommends the same practice. Since Catholics are normally allowed to eat meat, this prohibition is very different from the dietary laws of the Old Testament or of other religions today. In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:9-16), St. Peter has a vision in which God reveals that Christians can eat any food. So, when we abstain, it's not because the food is impure; we're voluntarily giving up something good, for our spiritual benefit. (Our Lenten Penance, whatever it is, is meant to be about giving up something good, not just something that is sinful in our lives.)

Current Church Law Regarding Abstinence:

That's why, under current Church law, the days of abstinence fall during Lent, the season of spiritual preparation for Easter. On Ash Wednesday and all of the Fridays of Lent, Catholics over the age of 14 are required to abstain from meat and from foods made with meat. Many Catholics don't realize that the Church still recommends abstinence on all Fridays of the year, not just during Lent. In fact, if we don't abstain from meat on non-Lenten Fridays, we're required to substitute some other form of penance.

If you would like to make abstinence a bigger part of your spiritual discipline, a good place to start is to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. During Lent, you might consider following the traditional rules for Lenten abstinence, which include eating meat at only one meal per day (in addition to strict abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Fridays). Something Extra This Lent

Consider choosing some extra form of penance, over and above what we may typically do, or even what you were thinking of doing this year. Challenge yourself to do this as a way of offering that prayer of penance (yes it is a prayer, and a powerful one) for the Christians and in particular Catholics who are suffering persecution throughout our world. We need to pray strongly and with perseverance for the conversion of our world from violence, especially terrorism, but also immorality.

Or, consider choosing the gift of your time and talents to one of the many ministries here at Visitation. Share your children’s art work with one of our homebound, along with a note letting them know that they are being prayed for daily during Lent. Contact the Parish Office for more information and opportunities.

Jesus: Please draw me closer so that I may grow in your likeness. Create in me a clean and humble heart, Oh Lord, one worthy of you! Amen

Feb 04, 2017

MONDAY, Feb 05 St. Agatha

1 KGS 8:1-7,9-13 MK 6:53-56

TUESDAY, Feb 06 St. Paul Miki

1 KGS 8:22-23, 27-30 MK 7:1-13 Mass Intention: James Schalter

WEDNESDAY, Feb 07 1 KGS 10:1-10 MK 7:14-23

THURSDAY, Feb 08 1 KGS 11:4-13 MK 7:24-30

Mass Intention: Avery Schalter

FRIDAY, Feb 09 1 KGS 11:29-32; 12:19

MK 7:31-37

SATURDAY, Feb 10 St. Scholastica

1 KGS 12:26-32;13:33-.4 MK 8:1-10

Mass Intention: +Pat Campbell

Prayer Requests

Mick Flynn, Peter Pagano, Rose Ann Berntsen, Rashell Schultz, Bob Hermsen, Gene Hall, John Mislunas, Marsha Grimwood,

Joe Leister, Joe & Helen Matteo, Norma Marchesini, Dolores

Federighi, Nicki & Howard Russell, Jennie Bradley, Steven Metcalf,

Douglas Mitchell, Connie McClarey, Travis Koch, Brad

Bowles, Amber & Daniel Andrus, Chuck & Robin Mazza,

Larry & Mike Mello. Justine Fleck, Al Vanderberg, Lisa Douglas,

Dorothy Bouman, Fr. James Lee, MaryJane Calhoun, Katie Underwood, Caesar Gatbunton,

Jack McFadden and those whose suffering is

known only to God.

For the Homebound and those assisting with their care.

All Military and their families. especially those Deployed :

Zachary West

Jan 01 $ 5,829.50 Jan 07 $ 5,124.50 Jan 14 $ 4,029.50 Jan 21 $ 5,771.00 Jan 28 $ 3,377.00

Gracious and loving God, we understand that You call us to

be the stewards of Your abundance, the caretakers of all You have entrusted to us.

Help us to use Your gifts wisely and teach us to share them generously. We pray with

grateful hearts, in Jesus’ name Amen

Feb 03 & 04: Blessing of Throats at all Masses

Feb 10: Movie Night 7pm UH “There Be Dragons”

Feb 13: Spaghetti Dinner 6pm CC Sponsored by the Knights. Special presentation awarded.

Feb 14: Ash Wednesday Mass 7:15am Holy Rosary 7pm Visitation

LENT: See the enclosed Lenten Events Flyer

Feb 14-Mar 25: 40 Days 4 Life

Feb 17-Mar 24: Bible Study 10am-Noon CC

Feb 19: Parish Closed

Feb 24: Movie Night 7pm UH “For Greater Glory”

Mar 10: Movie Night 7pm UH “After The Truth”

Mar 24: Movie Night 7pm UH “The Passion of the Christ”

Mar 26-31: Holy Week

Mar 30: Office Closed at Noon

Mar 31: Parish Offices Closed

Apr 01: Easter Sunday

Apr 02: Parish Offices Closed

Apr 07: Movie Night 7pm UH “Restless Heart”

Your action is needed! Contact your Senator to

OPPOSE these bills: SB 6102 Abortion Insurance Mandate SB 6105 Free Abortions SB 6037 Paid Surrogacy Contact your Representatives to OPPOSE: HB 2409 Abortion Insurance Mandate Abortion is not a civil right, nor quality, essential healthcare.

Call the Legislative Hotline at 1(800) 562-6000 or go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

Coffee Social Sponsors:

Feb 11: Finance Council

Feb 18: Women ’s Club

Feb 25: Knights

Holy Rosary

Coming week’s Calendar

Feb 10: Annual Crab Feed & Auction Holy Rosary School San Juan Diego Academy. Call the School (253) 272-7012 for more information.

Weekly Events: Confessions: Wed & Fri 8:15am Sat. 3:30pm Daily Mass: M, W & F 7:15am

Adoration with Benediction: Sat. 3:30-4:45pm Sun. 1:30-3pm

Vespers (Evening Prayer) Thurs. 6pm CMC

Bereavement Ministry Every 3rd Sun. after the Noon Mass in the Library. Women’s Bible Study Mon. 7pm CMC RCIA Thurs. 6:30pm During Lent: Soup Suppers & Stations of the Cross Fri. Suppers: 5:45-6:45pm Stations: 7pm

Ministries to the Poor

Items needed: Clothes & Coats for Adults

Visitations Annual

Fat Tuesday Spaghetti Dinner February 13 2017

As this is a Community event at Visitation

Anyone who would like to help we would be most grateful for

your time and talent.

We will be starting the prep for the Dinner on 2/11/2018 at 1pm

Fat Tuesday. Dinner will be Adults $10 children (under 10) $5

Start’s 6pm Lower Hall

Menu

Fresh Pasta

Meat (Red) and Cream Sauce

Focaccia Bread

European Dessert

50% of all profits go directly to the Visitations Youth Ministry

To Volunteer Please contact

Kristen Abbananto, PA for Faith Formation- 253-473-4960

email:kristen@visitationchurch.org

Or

Eugene Daly 425-891-5497 email: kodiak98027@yahoo.com

Sponsored by The Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Valley Assembly #3187

Service Hour letters available for all that volunteer

Employment Opportunities: Visitation STEM Academy

Visitation Catholic STEM Academy inspires students to grow in a faith that is guided by Gospel values and the teachings of the Catholic Church. As instructional leaders, we facilitate the development of the skills that are necessary to be successful in the 21st century.

Part time Music Teacher and Choir Director. Hours are somewhat flexible, approximately 15 hours per week, and $19.00 / hour. Preferred qualifications include experience with instrumental or choral instruction, experience working or participating in Catholic education, and a person who is a practicing Catholic.

Job duties for a music teacher and choir director include but are not limited to the following:

Lead the choir at school Masses, 12:45 pm on Fridays

Serve as a model of Catholic faith for the students and represent the teachings of the Catholic Church

Maintain a regular practice schedule for the school choir Provide music instruction for students at grade levels PK - 8

Assist with coordinating the Christmas program in December Submission of lesson plans to the principal Maintaining parent communication with regards to answering any questions or concerns, or addressing

any student concerns

Maintaining an effective learning environment in the classroom

Grading completed assignments within 2 weeks of the assignments being completed and returning those assignments to students on a weekly basis

Part time After-School Care Director. Hours are Monday - Friday, 2:30 pm - 6:15 pm, 18.75 hours per week, and $15.00 / hour. Upon being hired, applicants will be need to complete the requirements for the Department of Early Learning including coursework and a background check. Preferred applicants have experience working or participating in Catholic education and consider themselves to be a practicing Catholic.

Job duties for the After-School Care Director include but are not limited to the following:

● Serve as a model of Catholic faith for the students and represent the teachings of the Catholic Church

● Submission of weekly student routines to the principal

● Organize and publish a monthly snack list

● Remain aware of and adhere to any Department for Early Learning protocols

● Maintaining parent communication with regards to answering any questions or concerns, or addressing

any student concerns

● Maintaining a positive and respectful environment

● Maintaining daily attendance

● Work with small groups of students and individuals

● Promote student growth, achievement, and feeling of self-worth

● Demonstrate professional behavior at all times

● Work cooperatively with school personnel

● Ensure the physical and emotional safety and welfare of the students

If you are interested, in either of these job opportunities, please send

your resume and a cover letter to the principal, Marc Nuno at nunom@visitationschool.net.

Mass Times:

Ash Wednesday Feb 14th

7:15am HR

9am HR School

12:45pm Vis School

7pm Visitation

Palm Sunday Mar 25th

8am & 10am Visitation

Noon HR

Holy Thursday Mar 29th

7:15am HR

Good Friday Mar 30th

7pm Veneration of the

Cross HR

Holy Saturday Mar 31st

8:30pm Vigil HR

Easter Apr 1st

8am & 10am Visitation

Noon HR

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Mar 30 – Apr 7

3pm Visitation (more information coming)

LENT

2018

Fridays during Lent:

Meatless Suppers: 5:30-7pm Collier Center

Adoration: 6-6:50pm

Stations of the Cross: 7pm

Confessions: Feb 16, Mar 2 & 16 6-6:50pm

7pm at Visitation

Collier Center or Upper Hall

Feb 10 – There Be Dragons (The story surrounding events and

choices in the Spanish Civil War and the life of St. Josemaria

Escriva)

Feb 24 – For Greater Glory (The True Story of Cristiada in

Mexico)

Mar 10 – After the Truth (1999 German film depicting the

fictional trial of Dr. Josef Mengele, known as the "death angel of

Auschwitz".)

Mar 24 – The Passion of the Christ (Biblical drama-film of Jesus’

crucifixion)

April 7 – Restless Heart (the story of the life and conversion of

St. Augusine of Hippo)

This is a time of great renewal for us as a body of Catholic Christians as well as for those among us who have been learning

the Catholic Faith and now ask to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. For the most part, their journey has remained

hidden, but now their presence is becoming more publically known. As you read about these rites of the RCIA year, please

keep the catechumens, candidates, as well as their godparents, sponsors and teachers of both Holy Rosary and Visitation

in your prayers as we prepare to come together at the Easter Vigil.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) encompasses the faith journey of those interested in learning more

about the Faith of the Catholic Church leading to the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and on

into a time of Mystagogia (unpacking the mystery of God) during the Easter Season.

Those beginning the serious investigation of the Faith through regular classes are called Inquirers and enter a period of

the precatechumenate, learning the basics of the Faith. (Call the parish office to learn more!)

RITE OF ACCEPTANCE – Step One. With evidence of the Holy Spirit working in their lives, the Inquirers publically state

their desire to learn more, and we, as the Church, promise to pray for them. From this point forward, the Inquirers

seeking baptism are called Catechumens, and those already baptized but seeking reception into the Catholic Church are

called Candidates. They leave this Rite of Acceptance having entered into the period of the catechumenate.

RITE OF SENDING (Feb 18th) – With this rite, the end of the period of the catechumenate is marked as catechumens and

candidates from across the archdiocese prepare to meet the Bishop at the Rite of Election. As the RCIA states: “This rite

[of sending] offers [the] local community the opportunity to express its approval of the catechumens and to send them

forth to the celebration of election assured of the parish’s care and support” (no.107b).

RITE OF ELECTION (Feb 24th) – Step Two (to be celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo, Saturday March 11). During this rite,

catechumens and candidates, supported with the testimony of their godparents, sponsors and teachers, are presented to

the Bishop. “It is called election because the acceptance made by the Church is founded on the election by God, in whose

name the Church acts. The step is also called the enrollment of names because as a pledge of fidelity the [catechumens]

inscribe their names in the book that lists those who have been chosen for initiation” (RCIA no. 120b). Catechumens, once

they have written their names in the Book of the Elect are known as The Elect, and the period of purification and

enlightenment begins for both the elect and candidates.

PERIOD OF PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT – “This is a period of more intense spiritual preparation, consisting

more in interior reflection than in catechetical instruction, and is intended to purify the minds and hearts of the elect as

they search their own consciences and do penance. This period is intended as well to enlighten the minds and hearts of

the elect with a deeper knowledge of Christ the Savior” (RCIA no. 138). During this period, on the third, fourth and fifth

Sundays of Lent, the Scrutinies will be celebrated, which include prayers of exorcism to free the elect from the influence

of the devil and to increase their desire to cling to Christ so to be able to carry out their decision to love God above all

else.

CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION – Step Three, to be celebrated at the Easter Vigil (this year, both

parishes at Visitation), where The Elect will be baptized, the Candidates will make their profession of faith, and all will be

confirmed and receive Jesus for the first time in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar!

In the Joy of Christ,

Kristen Abbananto PA for Faith Formation

Visit BibleStudyforCatholics.com to learn more!

For More Information

Dates, Times, Location

Cost/Registration

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