The New Year always brings a sense of hope. I'm hopeful for our outreach ministries that continue to grow and evolve. Our backpack program is relying on more volunteers to deliver more than 200 bags to area elementary schools each week. We also continue to offer pastoral care, including monthly Mass, at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To assist this ministry, our middle school students heard from one of our Eucharistic Ministers and made prayer books for the homebound. I'm also excited to share some good news from our prison ministry.

If your resolution this year was to be more involved in parish life, please reach out. We'd be happy to connect you to a rewarding ministry!

Food Bank

Neighbors served - 202

Households served - 66

Backpack Program

Students served - 642

Thank you for your continued financial support of our food programs. We are consistently serving over 250 students a week in our Backpack Program. With the price of eggs, we are also re-evaluating whether this is a product we can continue providing to our clients. If you feel called to support this ministry, please consider donating here.

Our Sister Myrna’s Manna team is in need of volunteers. Teams provide sandwiches once a month to New Hope Resource Center, Puyallup’s day shelter. If interested in helping or leading a team, please contact Brenda Mabry at 253-297-4718 or tbmabry@comcast.net.

Rent assistance - 16 families

Utilities assistance - 14 families

Especially during the winter months, gas cards are needed for those who rely on their vehicle for housing. If you are looking for an easy way to give back, Fred Meyer gas cards ($20 or $25) are always in demand. Cards can be dropped off at the parish office or placed in the collection basket at Mass. Thank you!

On January 9, for the first time, we marked the feast day of Blessed Pauline Jaricot, who was beatified in May 2022.

By asking her friends to join her in praying for the Church in far-flung places daily, and asking them to donate a penny each week, this French laywoman planted the seeds for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. What began as a group of friends praying for the Church in mission territories is today the engine that gives spiritual and financial support to 1,200 dioceses worldwide.

Her faith forever changed the lives of millions, so the Society for the Propagation of the Faith decided to honor her with a movie specially dedicated to her life.

Our monthly service project at L'Arche is a great way to volunteer as a family. Our upcoming dates will be February 4 and March 4 from 10-noon. Look for the sign up in the Thursday parish email, or contact Morningstar in the parish office if interested in attending.

Our One Parish One Prisoner ministry celebrates the release of Jacob this month! He will be in a re-entry center until April and then get to live with his wife Kathryn. Many of us have met him in person and look forward to supporting him as he takes this next step to finding work and adapting to life outside of prison, including learning how to use all the technology that has developed since he was a teenager. Please keep him and Kathryn in your prayers.

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Since 2010, the month has been dedicated to bringing awareness, education, and information on identifying and preventing this crime. Find out more here.

Our annual Cross Walk will be Friday, April 7 at 4 pm. The walk starts at 3rd and West Pioneer and journeys to three local Puyallup churches. Please join us as we reflect on Christ's passion in light of our call to visit those who are in prison.

Please see the following message from our friends at AIDNW.

AIDNW continues to assist large numbers of newly released guests at the RV Welcome Center each day. Our updated Amazon Wish List details our current needs for the Welcome Center. During these chilly winter months, we are in extra need of men's medium and large warm coats and 16.5-17” backpacks.

Please note:

• Due to regulations, we can only accept items from Amazon that are on our wishlist.
• Gently used 17" inch backpacks can also be purchased at thrift stores.
• If you are able to purchase new backpacks in bulk at an economical price, please use this source: bagsinbulk.com. We can also accept coats, gloves, and hats from this site.
  - 16.5" or 17" backpacks are OK to order.
• No women's clothing is needed now.
• If you prefer to donate from sources other than Amazon, please have them shipped to the AIDNW Hospitality House Office:1915 S. Sheridan Ave,Tacoma, WA 98405.
• Items can be dropped off at the hospitality house Mon-Fri from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. If you need to drop them off at a different time, please contact Sam Martin at smartin@aidnw.org or call the office at 253-572-9659.

Advocating for Legislation that meets the needs of the most vulnerable and our planet

Attached is an Advocacy Letter that is now on the Washington State Catholic Conference of Bishops (WSCCB) website to advocate for a just and sustainable FARM BILL 2023.

Please use this link to view this letter, personalize it if you wish and send it to your Congressional Representatives. Thank you for your time and support!