The windy, blustery opening to November is a reflection of our emotions this week, blowing in so many directions. Especially during these turbulent times, we are thankful for our faith. As Fr. Crispin reminds us, “It shall be well.”
The Month of Remembrance is underway, and we are mindful of family and friends who have died. Many students, prompted by their lessons about Dia de Los Muertos, have created altars for their loved ones in their homes. I hear students praying for family members, friends, and pets who have passed on. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace and may God help us who remain comfort one another. We also remember the people in the armed services, those Veterans living and dead, who served our country. We pray for them, and we thank them.
The dashboard indicates that the trend in the number of reported cases is still very high. This morning, I watched the live update with the King County Department of Health during which they discussed the recent study on COVID and schools. What the study observed is when all the safety precautions, the health screening, mask-wearing, distancing, hand washing, ventilation, are implemented and classes are brought in slowly and cautiously then in-person school is sustainable, especially for younger students. Having said that, however, they referred to the rapid spike in the numbers of late and are not recommending opening up to any additional students. As I communicated in an earlier message, we will stay the course. Grades 3-8 will continue with remote learning. Families who chose to send their preschool-grade 2 students for on-campus learning may continue to do so, but currently, we cannot bring in the remote learners in those grades. Once we see a significant decrease in the dashboard numbers, we will welcome more students back on campus.
When asked about the current trend, the speakers this morning expressed concern and said the increase we are seeing is largely the result of people choosing to be in social gatherings like dinner parties, in enclosed spaces, without masks. They reiterated it is critical we understand we are all responsible and we all need to do our part to minimize transmission and reverse the trend. As you begin to plan your holidays, please be mindful of your role.
The State of the Parish Presentation will be this weekend. There will be an abbreviated presentation at the 5pm Mass on Saturday, November 7 (live-streamed on the Parish Facebook page). After Mass, a video will be emailed to all families that shows our current financial picture, highlighting the great things you have helped St. John accomplish and asking you to prayerfully consider your parish commitment for 2021. In order to be eligible, and to remain eligible for Fair Share in-parish tuition, each family must meet the following criteria:
- Be registered in the Parish – you may do this at the parish office or online at stjohnsea.org.
- Be active in the life of the parish including:
- “Attend” the State of the Parish presentation by accessing it online beginning Saturday, 11/7 after the 5 pm Mass.
- Be supportive of, or involved in, one of the many ministries of the parish.
- File a stewardship pledge card if you are a new family or you have changed your pledge amount; otherwise, your pledge will automatically roll over from 2020.
- Make a consistent effort to meet that pledge.
This year, school families will receive their packets in the mail, which will include the pledge card and stewardship contract.
They may be learning remotely, but that doesn’t stop our sixth-grade students from organizing a food drive for families in need! The St. Vincent de Paul members here at St. John Parish deliver bags of food weekly to many very grateful families in our community. Thank you, sixth graders, for your service to our neighbors.
There is no school on Wednesday, 11/11 in honor of the Veterans. Remember them in your prayers.
Blessings,
Bernadette O’Leary
