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.
Mass for All Saints
Mass & Social at St. John the Baptist
Saturday, November 1 • 10:00 am • St. John the Baptist
This year, All Saints Day is not a Holy Day of Obligation, and we’ll gather for one Family 30 Mass (St. John the Baptist + Holy Spirit). Fr. Crispin will preside at this multicultural Mass—mostly English with moments of Swahili and Spanish—and our music will lift up the beauty of our parish family in English, Swahili, Chuukese, Tagalog, and Spanish.
Kids are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite saint. Bring one or two fun facts to share—Fr. Crispin might ask! 😉
After Mass, families are invited to the McMullen Center for food and fun. In the spirit of the day, bring a favorite dish to share (label major allergens if you can—thank you!).
Quick & Easy Saint Dress-Up Ideas (with Fast Facts to Share)
Keep it simple and comfortable. No toy weapons, please. Add a name tag to help folks identify your saint!
St. Francis of Assisi (brown hoodie/robe, rope belt, stuffed animal)
- Loved creation and called the sun, moon, and animals his brothers and sisters.
- Gave up great wealth to follow Jesus in simplicity.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux (“Little Flower”) (simple dress, small bouquet, cross/rosary)
- Taught the “little way”: do small things with great love.
- Became a Doctor of the Church because her wisdom helps so many grow in faith.
St. Martin de Porres (black/white outfit or apron, small broom, toy mouse)
- Humble helper known for serving the sick and poor in Lima, Peru.
- Patron of social justice and racial harmony; friends with animals, too.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha (earth-tone shawl, braid(s), small stick cross)
- First Native American saint; known as the “Lily of the Mohawks.”
- Lived a life of prayer, service, and care for creation.
St. Juan Diego (tan shirt/poncho, paper “tilma,” tissue-paper roses)
- Mary appeared to him in Mexico as Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Her image miraculously appeared on his tilma with Castilian roses in December.
St. Josephine Bakhita (simple dark dress, scarf or headwrap, small heart cutout)
- From Sudan; enslaved as a child, later became free and a religious sister in Italy.
- Known for her radiant forgiveness and saying, “Be good, love the Lord.”
St. Carlo Acutis (zip-up hoodie, jeans, printed Eucharist icon on paper)
- Teen “computer whiz” who built a website on Eucharistic miracles.
- Loved soccer and video games; reminds us holiness is for right now.
St. Cecilia (dress + paper/foam “lyre” or small keyboard)
- Patron saint of musicians; praised God with song.
- Encourages us to make our lives a hymn to the Lord.
St. Peter (neutral clothes, fish or fishing net, large key)
- Fisherman whom Jesus called “the rock” of the Church.
- Teaches us to trust Jesus even when we’ve stumbled.
St. Gianna Molla (blouse + cardigan, toy doctor kit or stethoscope)
- Pediatrician, wife, and mom; loved her family and patients deeply.
- Witness to the dignity of every human life.
Bonus Group Ideas:
- Angels & Archangels (white tee, paper wings, name tag: “Gabriel,” “Michael,” “Raphael”).
- Religious Sisters or Brothers (solid dark outfit, cardboard “habit” collar, simple cross).
- Choir of Saints (carry a small symbol—rose, key, broom, stethoscope—and let people guess your saint!).
Tips for Parents & Kids
- Practice a one-liner: “I’m St. Kateri. I’m the first Native American saint and I loved to pray in nature.”
- Keep it comfy: You’ll be moving, standing, and singing. Layers are your friend.
- Make it respectful: Aim for simple symbols rather than cultural costumes.
- Share the joy: Invite a friend or classmate—saints love company!
Potluck Details
- Where: McMullen Center (after Mass)
- What to Bring: A favorite dish from your family’s heritage (warmers/outlets limited—bring ready-to-serve if possible).
- Helpful: Label major allergens (nuts, dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, shellfish).
We can’t wait to celebrate the “great cloud of witnesses” with you. All are welcome—come be part of the song of the saints!
Questions? Parish Office • 253-630-0701 • sjtbcc.org
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.
See Hope in Action: Breakfast with Vine Maple Place
Join Us for a Fundraising Breakfast to Support Families — Saturday, October 25
The Life, Justice, and Peace Commission of St. John the Baptist invites you to a special Vine Maple Place fundraising breakfast on Saturday, October 25, at 9:45 a.m. at their Maple Valley Family Hope Center, 21730 Dorre Don Way SE, Maple Valley, WA 98038.
Vine Maple Place is a powerful hyper-local ministry that walks alongside single mothers and their children in South King County, helping them transition from homelessness to build stable, hopeful futures. Their work is guided by the simple principle: “It’s all about the kids.”
Families in Crisis, Families in Hope
Every month, more than 400 families reach out to Vine Maple Place looking for a way forward. Behind each call is a unique story.
As someone who has volunteered for three years, facilitating weekly classes in employment and financial basics, I’ve seen firsthand that there is no single path to needing crisis support. Vine Maple Place clients come from every walk of life and level of education. Some are fleeing domestic violence. Others are choosing sobriety and leaving unsafe environments. Some are new to the area when unexpected setbacks force them into instability. I’ve met career professionals as well as women raised in generational poverty—each one determined to give their children a limitless future. – Rose McAvoy, St. John the Baptist Parishioner
What unites them is not where they’ve been, but where they’re going. With safe housing, life-skills training, and community support, families can move from crisis to stability—and from survival to hope.
This one-hour fundraising breakfast event is a chance to:
- Learn more about how Vine Maple Place is transforming lives right here in our community.
- Hear inspiring stories of resilience and renewal.
- Explore the many ways to support this work—from one-time volunteer opportunities to ongoing commitments, and of course, through prayer and encouragement.
- Support the work financially — donations help families move from crisis to stability.
- Stay for an exclusive tour of the Family Hope Center.
How You Can Help
- Sign up to join us in person on October 25; space is limited, so don’t wait to register!
- Plan to arrive by 9:45, breakfast will begin at 10:00 am.
- Get more information at the Life, Justice & Peace table in the narthex.
- For additional questions, contact Bob Denney at 206-650-4929, or rdenney13@outlook.com
- If you can’t attend, consider donating directly or via the QR code on the posters and in the bulletin.
Come, learn, and be inspired by how neighbors are helping neighbors right here in South King County.
Get to know thy neighbor
Sign-ups are open for Fall 2025. Grab a form in the narthex or use the online form to sign up. Groups will be assigned the week before the quarter starts.
Supper Club is a long-standing tradition at St. John’s that brings people together through food, fellowship, and fun.
Each small group meets three times over three months (mid-September to November), rotating who hosts. The host provides the main dish and drinks, while others contribute sides, appetizers, or dessert—whatever the group agrees on. Meals can be brunch, lunch, or dinner—flexibility is the name of the game.
Being fairly new parishioners, we wanted to get to know other parishioners so we could feel more included. Manny and I enjoyed meeting 3 other couples from the church when we joined them for Supper Club last year. We had a great time getting to know a bit about the other couples and the great talents of our group. They were all invested in parish activities and stewardship. When the time came to end the festivities, we were sad to leave but eagerly looking forward to the next meet up. The camaraderie was great and we felt welcome by these wonderful people. – Helen and Manny Martinez
You don’t have to host in your home to participate—just let us know and we’ll work with your group to find alternatives. Whether you’re new to the parish or have been here for years, Supper Club is a warm, welcoming way to connect.
- Open to all: families, couples, singles
- Register as an individual, couple, or with a friend
- Indicate preferences for pairing with similar households
Deadline to register for the Fall rotation is August 31.
Groups will be assigned the first week of September and will begin meeting mid-month.
Register online or pick up a form in the narthex.
Got Questions? Contact Sharon Sullivan, seasull@comcast.net, or leave a message with the parish office.