Monthly Newsletter

Faith Formation 

Youth Ministry
 

UPADTE (January 7, 2021)
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! We just sent out our monthly Newsletter. To read it or Subscribe click here.

We are currently open for Outdoor Mass on Sundays at 10am for 50 people. To sign up please fill out the form on our website. If you have any issues with this you may also call the parish office at (253) 582-1028 to register.

We have received the canopies to protect the altar and congregation. So we can have mass rain or shine. We have also received a sound system so all are better able to hear the readings, homily, and prayers. We haven't found a way to combat the cold so be sure to dress warm. 

Mass would not be possible with out our wonderful volunteers so thank you to our volunteers. If you would like to help out with set up, take down, and sanitizing, please email Terri Nelson.
 

Mass Registration  

UPDATE (December 3, 2020)
We Just sent out our Monthly Newsletter. To read it or Subscribe click here.

We are currently open for Outdoor Mass on Sundays at 10am. To sign up please fill out the form on our website. If you have any issues with this you may also call the parish office at (253) 582-1028 to register.

We have received the canopies to protect the altar and congregation. So we can have mass rain or shine. We have also received a sound system so all are better able to hear the readings, homily, and prayers. We haven't found a way to combat the cold so be sure to dress warm. 

The Christmas and Advent Schedule is now available.  We will have mass for the solminty of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. Registration is now Available here.

UPDATE (November 4, 2020)
We just sent out our Monthly newsletter. To read it or subscribe click here.

We are currently open for Outdoor Mass on Sundays at 10am. To sign up please fill out the form on our website. If you have any issues with this you may also call the parish office at (253) 582-1028 to register.

To improve the experience of outdoor mass we are purchasing tents to cover both the altar and the congregation. This will help protect us from rain. We are also working hard to get a sound system so everyone will be able to hear. We haven't found a way to combat the cold so be sure to dress warm. As we attend mass we can remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than us who make many sacrifices to attend mass.

To read more about the changes and to sign up for Mass click here.

Please be sure to check out the Archbishop's letter on Unity available below under Documents.

UPDATE (October 27, 2020)
Please join us for outdoor Mass on Sunday's at 10am. To sign up please fill out the form on our website. If you have any issues with this you may also call the parish office at (253) 582-1028 to register. Please read the list below about changes and things to expect at mass.

Sign Up Here

We hope to continue offering mass but please remember that dispensation to attend Sunday Mass remains in effect. If you are vulnerable by either age or health, please continue utilizing live stream masses available throughout the archdiocese.

Things to Remember:

• We will be having mass outside in the parking lot of St John Bosco. So please dress accordingly. We will not be able to offer mass at Immaculate Conception at this time. Due to size constraints, we cannot meet the requirements set forth. All who attend Immaculate Conception are invited to join us at St. John Bosco during this time.
• We will be limited to 50 attendees at each mass. In order to meet this requirement parishioners will be required to REGISTER for a specific mass day/time. We will have a sign up available on our website or through calling the parish office. We will ask that you not register/attend more than once every two weeks to allow others the opportunity to attend mass. If you are not registered, you will not be permitted to attend.
• Perform a self-assessment before arriving. If you are sick, running a fever, or any member of your household is sick and exhibiting virus symptoms, you must stay home.
• Physical Distancing and masks will be enforced. Reminder to all that a 6 foot distance must be kept at all times and wearing of masks are required while on church property.
• It will be important to arrive early. Everyone will be checked in that is registered and will be directed to a seat. This means no "saving seats" for friends or "reserved" seats. The ushers will show you where to sit and maintain proper distance. Families/households will be seated together as a group. Please bring your own masks (masks will be provided, if you don't have one).
• Collection Baskets will not be passed. A collection basket will be placed at the check-in table and your donations will be accepted there. This minimizes the risk of passing germs.
• There will be no sign of peace and no hand holding. We have been asked to refrain from offering the sign of peace or any hand holding, as a means to discourage the transfer of germs to others. Please sanitize your hands upon check-in.
• Restrooms can have no more than 2 people at a time. We will have a monitor in the church to be sure the restrooms are not overcrowded and people are only going to use the restroom. The Kitchen, Hall, Library, and church will be closed and locked.
• Mass duration will be shorter. This means you will spend less time on the church grounds. We will not have singing during mass, all parts will be spoken. No collection of gifts, or sign of peace will also reduce time.
• Communion changes. Communion will occur at the end of mass, after the final blessing. A single file line communion procession will be directed by the ushers. Continue to maintain social distancing and wearing your mask until it is your turn to receive. Bow as the person before you is receiving and step forward, respond "Amen" to "The Body of Christ", lower your mask and extend your hands in a cup so the host can be carefully dropped into your hands. Communion on the tongue will not be permitted. If the Communion minister touches someone's hand, they will stop and sanitize their hands before the next person receives. If you are wearing gloves, you must remove them before receiving Communion.
• Please promptly leave the worship space after receiving Communion. You are asked to return promptly to your cars. Remember to maintain social distancing at all times while on church property and do not congregate.

If you have any questions please contact the parish office.

UPDATE (September 3, 2020)
We are happy to share that we will now be sending out Monthly Newsletters via Constant Contact. Check out the first one here. In the newsletter we include important news about reopening, read it below.

We know that many are anxious to attend mass again soon, and so are we! In preparation to welcome you back, we will be doing a Dry-run through with our volunteers to ensure they know what to do and to welcome you all back safely. If you drive past the church and see a group gathering for mass on September 13th, be aware that it is our volunteers who are training and preparing to welcome you back.
 
Once we are prepared to are open for masses, we will be sure to let you all know and provide you with instructions on how to register. Please note that we will begin with Outdoor Mass and will be limiting Initial attendance to 50 attendees. Our anticipated reopening is mid-September. 

Continue to check back here for more infomation.
Email Terri Nelson with any questions at terrinelson@stjbosco.org.

UPDATE (July 20, 2020)
Your St. John Bosco staff continues to monitor the information from the Tacoma Pierce County Health Dept., Governor Inslee’s office and the Federal Government regarding the continual spread of COVID-19 in our area. Our ultimate goal is the full restoration of parish life with prudence.
 
In light of the rising spread-curve reports by our local health department (featuring NO sustained drop in spread in our county in weeks), non-binding but sobering cautions and advice from the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), recent closures of churches around the country (some of whom only recently re-opened), and the fact that our pastor and many parishioners have underlying health issues that make us virus-vulnerable, we have made the difficult decision to POSTPONE our REOPENING PLANS at this time.
 
We will revisit reopening when there is at least two or more weeks of a drop in spread in numbers in our county, or at least a lower spread curve that remains static for 2 or more weeks.
 
At the time the Seattle Archdiocese announced reopening of parishes, there had been a sustained decrease in cases that met the requirements of the bishops and governor. Unfortunately, we discovered a major water break located under the church that required weeks of bids, construction & repair, followed by cleaning and sanitizing. Therefore, we now find ourselves at the crossroads of higher numbers today than when the Archdiocese originally closed parishes back in April.
 
Please know that these safety measures are being taken, not out of fear, but out of love for neighbor and utmost concern for the vulnerable in our parish community. We are fully aware that a large percentage of our community is in this vulnerable category and will do our utmost to ensure the safety and health of everyone.
 
In the meantime, a reminder that:

• Dispensation for Sunday Mass remains in effect. Live-streamed masses are available throughout the diocese and via EWTN. (find more here)
• We will be implementing weekly podcast prayer and discussion groups on Zoom with Fr. Marc and various staff members.
• We will be opening our private prayer space (limited/space available and must sign in at the parish office).

We will keep you updated as we continue to monitor the data. Thank you for your patience and understanding. It is important and necessary that we are in strict compliance with all guidelines before opening for public celebration of the Mass.
 
In Christ,
Your St. John Bosco Staff

You can find a PDF of this letter above in the documents tab.
If you did not recieve this in an email and would like to please send your email address to Terri or Laurie.

UPDATE (May 1, 2020)
Gov. Inslee has extended the "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order until May 31st. The Church and parish offices will remain closed through the 31st. Staff is still available by email or voicemail. Our prayers are with you and your family during these uncertain times. In Christ's love, your SJB/IC staff.

UPDATE (April 10, 2020)
Please take a look at the great resource in the Documents Tab. It is a great Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook that may help you during this difficult time. Also check out the Reflections Fr Marc has been putting out every week to stay connected with our community. 

UPDATE (April 2, 2020)
As most of you have probably already heard, Gov. Inslee has extended the "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" until May 4th.  This means that our parish offices will remain closed for public business until May 4, 2020.  We are still available by email or voicemail.  Please know that we are continuing to pray for all of you during these uncertain times.  Please continue to check your emails for updates from staff.

UPDATE (March 23, 2020)
Gov. Jay Inslee issed the "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order today, closing all non-essential businesses, including churches, until March 31, 2020.  This means that our parishes offices are closed for public business.  We are still able to remotely access email and voicemail.  Parishioners are asked to either switch to On-line GIving, mail your envelopes to the parish office, or  bring envelopes and drop them in our secure mailbox in the front of the church.

UPDATE (March 13, 2020)
We do not cease being Catholic because parish events or Masses are cancelled.  We have a great opportunity now for intense prayer, study and charitable works individually, which is what Lent is about.

1. Pray - Tune into mass either livestreamed or available online at EWTN or on Sacred Heart Radio.  Pray the Rosary daily, meditating on the mysteries; read the daily readings and pray for our community.
2. Learn - Don't spend your whole day on the internet!  Find some books to read or re-read.  Listen to some new podcasts.  Read about the lives of the Christians in mission territories.  Talk with your children about sacraments.  As we accustom to this new normal, stay tuned for distance learning opportunities.
3. Charitable Works - If you are healthy, consider donating blood, giving individually to the food bank, or checking in on those who you might know that are quarantined via phone calls.  Praying for those that are suffering is charitable work.  Pray for those affected.  Recongnize that charitable works during this time also includes continued tithing contributions to the parish online or by mailing or dropping off at the parish office, and donating monetarily to those places you perceive the most need during this crisis.  Our money can mean the difference between someone have a meal, or a paycheck.
4. If you are quarantined for any reason, from illness to being in a high risk category, keep those close to you informed, including those whom you might pray and serve with.  Make sure that you have food and water, rest and unite your suffering to Jesus' for the salvation of the world.  If you are in need of anything, please let the parish office know.
5. Finally, and again, pray.  The church is open for private prayer and to spend time with the Blessed Sacrament, during business hours.  We have established a designated area that is sanitized on a regular basis, for your safety.

UPDATE (March 12, 2020)
Currently, the parish office is open for business Tuesday - Friday from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.  The church is open for private prayer with the Blessed Sacrament during the hours the office is open.  In an effort to help us maintain the sanitization of the space, please inform the parish office you are here upon your arrival.  Further information regarding either livestreaming masses or other options will be made available tomorrow.

UPDATE (March 11, 2020 - 7:30 pm)
This afternoon we received notification from the Archdiocese of Seattle that Archbishop Etienne has order that "all public celebrations of the Eucharist be suspended".  This means that all Daily and Weekly Masses at both St. John Bosco and Immaculate Conception in Steilacoom are cancelled until further notice.   Today's directive was made for the common good and for the people of God entrusted in our care - many of whom are considered high risk and vulnerable.  We must do our part  to slow down this epidemic.  

In light of the archbishop's directive, please know that you are temporarily dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until the coronavirus danger lessens and masses are reinstated.

Please check the link above for further information and a video from Archbishop Etienne.

UPDATE (March 11, 2020, 4:00 pm)

In light of the rapidly changing and fluid nature of information and guidance being received on the Covid-19/Coronavirus spread in our area, we have taken the following steps to help minimize the spread of the virus within our community.  Please bear with us, as information is changing on a daily basis.  We will update this section as more information is available.

Precautionary measures taken to date:

• We have cancelled all non-essential public events, to include:
  • Weekly Soup Supper & Prayer
  • Friday Soup/Sandwich & Stations
  • Weekly Breakfast Ministry
  • Weekly Faith Formation classes
  • Weekly Youth Ministry gatherings
• Sanitized the church, pews and all common areas at both SJB & IC.
• Removed all hymnal books, paper worship aids, and envelops from the pews.
• Removal of all items in common areas and frequently touched.
• Changed our Offertory/Collection procedure.  Ushers will hold a stationary basket for people to place their collections at the end of mass.  All parishioners are encouraged to utilize our on-line giving option.
• Communion will be offered in the hand (not on the tongue) and no communal distribution of the Precious Blood will be offered at this time.
• Avoid hand-to-hand contact as much as possible before, during and after mass.  This includes greeting, The Lord's Prayer, and the Sign of Peace.
• Protocols have been put in place for all Eucharistic Ministers in proper hand washing/santizing prior to distribution.

As we continue to monitor things, with input from the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept., and the Office of the State Governor; please remember most of all to pray for our bishops and priests, our staff and volunteers, and our parish community.

At this time, all Masses will continue, as scheduled, unless otherwise directed by the Archdiocese.