Ministries
First Holy Communion
Families with a child (children) becoming seven years old or older by springtime are welcome to register for First Holy Communion classes. The procedure is to attend faith formation classes during the fall term, and then transfer to a series of classes during winter and spring that focus more specifically on the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation (confession). Please contact Joy Erickson at joy.erickson@stolafschurch.org or 360-779-4291 for further information.
Confirmation
We invite families with middle-school and high-school youth to register for the formation journey of preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our classes are on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm, beginning in October and culminating in May. During the weeks when we do not meet in class, a home-video lesson is assigned using the Ascension Press “Chosen” curriculum. For further information, please contact Joy Erickson at joy.erickson@stolafschurch.org or 360-779-4292.
Infant Baptism (up to 7 years old)
Parents and godparents anticipating the baptism of a child (children) are invited to our Baptism Preparation class. This class is scheduled regularly throughout the year, on Thursday evenings, from 6:00pm – 8:30pm. Please feel free to bring your babies and children along, as this class is very family friendly. In addition to teaching the theology of Baptism, we discuss all the necessary paperwork, and review the dates for the actual Baptism celebration. Please contact paula@stolafschurch.org for further information. Favor de platicar con Christina Contreras kingston82@live.com para información en Español.
The schedule for Baptism preparation classes for 2024 is:
January 18
February 29
March 14
April 18
May 23
All classes are from 6:00pm – 8:30pm. Pre-registration is required. Call the parish office at 360-779-4291 or email Paula at paula@stolafschurch.org .
Liturgy
A number of ministries support the liturgical life of our parish family. Hospitality Ministers support our arrival and going forth from Mass, and help with other roles such as conducting the financial offering. Lectors proclaim the Word of God from the ambo (lectern) along with the Prayers of the Faithful. Sacristans set-up for Mass, care for our religious supplies (candles, books, bread & wine, etc.), and set the altar during Mass. Please contact Valerie Lint at 360-551-6345 or val@valerielint.com for more information about Hospitality. For information about serving as a Lector, please contact Mary Payne at jmpaynewa@aol.com. For service as sacristan, please contact Michelle Charmante at michelleann@stolafschurch.org or 360-621-4390.
Music
We offer choir and instrumental music in both English and Spanish, including training to serve as cantor. Our rehearsals are on Thursday evenings during the school year, with summers off for vacation. Throughout summer we sing in what we call “Choir Lite”. Please contact cindy.lint01@gmail.com for the English choir and macourtright@comcast.net for the Spanish choir.
Youth Faith Formation
Our faith formation for youth grades pre-K through 12 is taught using a model wherein parents and children learn together as part of the class. We gather on Sundays after the 10:30am Mass from 12 Noon to 2:00 pm, with alternating days for younger children and older youth. Registration is required for all youth ministries. Please contact paula@stolafschurch.org for questions and further information.
Adult Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation will begin this fall with Ron Ryan’s The Bible: An Introduction for Catholics over 4 Sundays starting September 24th after the 10:30 am mass. See the flier in our newsletter.
Then, Adult Faith Formation will continue on Wednesday evenings. It will take the form of a journey with those seeking to celebrate the sacraments of initiation at Easter. Regular class meetings will begin on Wednesday, October 25th, at 6:30pm. We will explore a wide spectrum of topics from within our Catholic tradition and strive to come to know Jesus in a more intimate way.
Please contact Michelle Charmante at michelleann@stolafschurch.org or 360-621-4390 for further information. In addition, we offer a series of classes and retreats throughout the year. Please refer to our monthly newsletters for the latest retreat information.
Gardening
Did you know that we have 18 acres of land on our campus? Woodlands, meadows, a creek, flower gardens, lawns, a cutting garden (for decorating the church), and more. Continuing to build our beautiful, peaceful, and ecologically healthy landscape is a ministry into which we invite any who might enjoy this work and have a desire to learn of our vision for native vegetation restoration. Please contact Joy at joy.erickson@stolafschurch.org or 360-779-4291 to learn more.
St. Vincent de Paul
Some among us are called to embrace the spiritual path of finding Christ in the presence of the poor in our midst, and in the practical sharing of our resources to help alleviate poverty. We are known as “Vincentians”, a global family following a simple religious rule. We gather regularly for prayer and mutual support. For our work, we respond, on behalf of the parish, to each and every request we receive for material or financial assistance. To learn more about Vincentian life, please contact 360-779-9980.