St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Where Stewardship is a Way of Life

Bob Jensen

April 28, 2024

Pastor's Corner

Partners in the Gospel

Other than personnel, we do not anticipate any immediate changes when our parish family takes effect on July 1. Many other parish families do have to adjust their Mass schedules, because the number of priests assigned to them makes it impossible to keep their current schedule. With two parishes forming our family plus 2-1/3 priests assigned, our Mass schedule should be able to remain the same for the time being. Later on, the parish family may need to look at Mass schedules, taking into consideration attendance, number of lay ministers available, etc.

We do face one immediate challenge: priest housing. A parish has three options: 1) provide an onsite rectory independent from parish offices, 2) provide off-site living such as renting an apartment, or 3) provide the priest a housing allowance, and let him determine his housing. Holy Spirit Parish has a small house, but it is certainly not large enough for two priests. Our parish has always provided the housing allowance, and this has worked fine for all the previous pastors. However, the allowance, set by the archdiocese is no longer adequate to cover the cost of rentals in the area. When I was assigned here three years ago, I was told that the archdiocese wanted a rectory established, either on- or off-site. I took a long-term approach, first wanting to stabilize our parish budget. Coming out of COVID, we were still relying upon our reserves. Once the budget was stabilized and built back up, I thought we could begin setting money aside.

The need is immediate. We need a place for one of the new priests to move into by the end of June. We are looking into the possibility of renting a rectory from one of our neighboring parish families, who may now have more rectories than priests. We are also considering renting an apartment or townhouse. We will also need to furnish it. This could be a temporary solution until the parish family decides what housing would be the best permanent solution.

If any parishioners have rental properties in the area, please let me know.

April 21, 2024

Pastor's Corner, Uncategorized

Patience

Partners in the Gospel is meant to be a slow process, which requires patience and waiting. After over a year of consultation, our parish family was announced at the beginning of February. The beginning of April saw the announcement of the priests who will serve our parish family. It becomes official on July 1. Then begins a three-year process of forming one parish. This process will include welcoming, restructuring, and envisioning.

There are many unanswered questions; answers will only emerge as you go through this process. We will need to sit with uncertainty for a while. This is not always an easy thing to do. The first phase will simply be getting to know one another: you getting to know the new priests, them getting to know you, the two parishes getting to know one another, staff getting to know one another, and even getting to know ourselves better.
Please refrain from contacting the priests before they officially arrive, so they have time to wrap up their current assignments. We will let you know when the new pastor and parochial vicars will join us in July, and we will all have several opportunities to welcome and meet them. Until then, I remain fully committed to you.
Remember this is a three-year process, and it is going to take time to come together. We do not need to rush it. We are embarking on a great opportunity. Let’s remember the ultimate goal of Partners in the Gospel is to revitalize parish life and to allow us to focus more attention, more energy, and more resources on our mission.

April 14, 2024

Pastor's Corner, Uncategorized

Senior Status

Last weekend the archbishop announced the clergy assignments for our new parish family. He also announced my own transition into what is called “senior status.” What is that? The word “retirement” would not fit since priesthood is not a
profession. Priesthood is a vocation and, like marriage, is a permanent vocation (under normal circumstances). Senior status is being an active priest without an assignment. The age for senior status has been tied to the age for social security, though the age for senior status is slowly being raised.

As many of you know, during my three years at St. John the Baptist I commuted from my home in Federal Way. In senior status, I plan to continue residing in Federal Way. It will be a good location from which to help parishes in Pierce and King Counties. I would be available to fill in for other priests while they are on vacation or in times of illness. In addition, I hope to concentrate on the things I really enjoy about ministry.

There will also be more family time. I hope to get down to Florida a bit more often to see my mom who is now 91 years old.  being a pastor often takes you away from family gatherings since most weekends and holidays you are working. In senior status, I am also looking forward to spending more time with my siblings and with nieces and nephews.

I won’t be that far away, so I’d imagine you will be seeing me from time to time. I will be following with keen interest and supportive prayer your efforts to become one parish with Holy Spirit Church in Kent. I hope you will rediscover that same energy, enthusiasm, and creativity the founding members of our parish had that gave birth to St. John the Baptist Parish.