During August, parishioners at Holy Spirit and St. John the Baptist were invited to share what they love most about their parish—on posters, response forms, emails, and even drawings. Members of the Parish Family Advisory Committee carefully read every comment and grouped them into themes to notice patterns, not to create a scientific survey.
These results may surprise you. What you don’t see in this report is as important as what you do see, inviting us to keep listening and looking beneath the surface.
This visual report offers a “big picture” look at the gifts you named: the ways our parishes feel like home, the people who care for us, and the Spirit at work in our worship, ministries, and everyday life.
Family 30 Advent Retreat
Mary’s Yes: God’s Invitation to Carry Christ
Reflections on Luke’s Gospel
When:
Saturday, December 6, 2025 · 9:00 am–3:15 pm (check-in opens 9:00 am)
Where:
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
25810 156th Ave SE, Covington, WA 98042
Step into Advent with a day set aside for prayer, learning, and community with our Family 30 (St. John the Baptist & Holy Spirit). We’ll reflect on Luke’s Gospel and Mary’s “yes,” making room in our hearts to carry Christ into the world.
What’s included: presentations, personal reflection, small-group sharing, worship, prayer, music & art, guided meditation, and fellowship. Morning pastries and lunch provided.
Registration
To help us plan food and small groups, please register by Wednesday, December 3.
Walk-ins are welcome—if your plans change, just come.
[Register for the Advent Retreat]
What to Bring
- A Bible (if you have one)
- Notebook and pen
- Water bottle
- Open heart and a friend!
Accessibility & Dietary Needs
We want everyone to feel at home. If you need accommodations or have dietary requests, please email rosem@sjtbcc.org and we’ll do our best to assist.
Multilingual Rosary (Immediately Following the Retreat)
All are invited to remain for a multilingual rosary right after the retreat concludes. Each decade will be led aloud by a volunteer in their own language as a beautiful sign of our unity in Christ.
Seeking volunteer leaders in English, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Chuukese, and other languages represented in our parish family.
Want to lead a decade? Email rosem@sjtbcc.org with your name and the language you’ll lead.
Bring a rosary if you have one—extras will be available. All ages welcome.
Partners in the Gospel: Listening Sessions
Come help shape the future of our parish family.
We are entering the final step of the “Who Are We” phase of Partners in the Gospel – Challenges and Opportunities.
This is your chance to help shape the future of our Parish Family. Members of Holy Spirit, Kent, and St. John the Baptist, Covington, are invited to reflect on two key questions:
- What challenges or obstacles might we encounter as we merge our two unique parishes into one family?
- What opportunities do you see in combining our gifts and resources?
Your input truly matters. The Parish Family Advisory Committee (PFAC) will receive the unedited words of every parishioner who participates. Just as in previous synodal sessions, what you share will directly influence the next phase: “Who Do We Want to Become?”
Let every person be quick to listen, but slow to speak, and slow to anger. Humbly welcome the word which has been planted in you and has the power to save your souls.”
– James 1:19, 21
Each two-hour session will be led by trained parish volunteers and will include prayer, reflection, and time for personal sharing. The synodal style gives everyone equal time to speak without interruption or rebuttal. The goal is deep, prayerful listening to where the Holy Spirit is leading us.
Every voice counts. We encourage all household members to take part. What feels obvious to one person may be a brand-new insight for another. Spouses should share individually, and youth will have their own sessions to voice their hopes and concerns for our parish family.
Choose the session time and location that works best for you. Then register online or on the paper forms in the narthex.
If there are no sessions that work for you or you need an alternative to in-person sessions, please contact the office at St. John the Baptist – 253-630-0701. More session options may be added to accommodate the needs of our parish family.