Groups
You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.” – Saint Therese of Lisieux
We have a host of active groups at Saint Michael Parish, from prayer groups to councils and commissions. You’re sure to find a group that speaks to your heart and helps you to live out your spiritual call to holiness.
Just send us your info and one of our ministry leaders will contact you and help you decide your area of involvement.
Click on each listed ministry to see a description and contact information.
Meet Jesus face-to-face. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is an expression of our love and a profession of our faith in Christ’s presence here with us. Come spend time with our Lord. Adoration takes place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Saint Joseph Chapel. Regular adorers can commit to adoration at a specific time here, https://smpoly.
Contact: Holly Dodd, Steward for Liturgical Ministries at hdodd@saintmichaelparish.org
The Altar Society supports altar needs such as cleaning, new altar cloths, laundry, and the parish Nativity set. Guilds meet, select, and support individual service projects.
Contact: Mary Schade at (360) 866-0305
Centering Prayer is one of the traditional prayer practices that opens us to God’s gift of contemplation. The group’s intention is just to be in God’s loving, healing presence. The contemplative community at St. Michael Parish prays twice a week in the Saint Joseph Chapel, offers silent retreats four times a year, and offers introductions to Centering Prayer. Everyone is invited to enter into this silent, healing relationship with God.
Contact: Rosemary Barnhart at (360) 866-7589 or rosemary.b@comcast.net
This group prays the Rosary, the Fatima Prayer, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and other prayers and engages as a group in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The primary focus is prayer for the Holy Father and priests and for encouragement of individual Eucharistic Adoration. Everyone is welcome to join them every Thursday at 11 AM in the St. Joseph Chapel.
Contact: Alice Janny at (360) 866-7340 or jjanny2@comcast.net
Join the group for charismatic praise, worship, music, as well as healing and intercessory prayer. They are committed to fostering a personal experience of Pentecost through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, receiving and using charismatic gifts, commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and developing a life of holiness in a Catholic context of faith and practices. The group meets every Thursday from 7-9pm in the St. Joseph Chapel. Everyone is welcome to join them at any time during the evening.
Contact: Connie Smith at (360) 943-9767 or connie.s246@gmail.com
Faith and Light is an international organization of communities made up of persons with an intellectual disability, their families and friends, who meet together on a regular basis in a Christian spirit, to share friendship, pray together and celebrate life!
Mission Statement: Faith and Light is founded on the belief that each person with an intellectual disability is fully a person with all the rights of a human being: above all the right to be loved, recognized and respected for himself or herself and in the choices he/she makes; the right also to receive whatever help is necessary in order to grow at every level, spiritual and human.
We meet once a month at Saint Michael Parish. We also participate in Archdiocesan events offered at St James Cathedral in Seattle (in person or via zoom). For more information contact Bene Reece at (360) 292-7143 or breece@saintmichaelparish.org.
All that we do at St. Michael Parish is rooted in prayer. Ministry Intercessors sustain and strengthen our ministries with their prayer support. Intercessors are contacted four times per year and are asked to pray for special requests of our parish ministries. This is a wonderful ministry for the homebound or those who otherwise find it difficult to attend ministry gatherings. A one year commitment is asked.
Contact: Mona Bishop at (360) 292-7141 or mbishop@saintmichaelparish.org
The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church. Members contribute to community welfare in a
balanced program of prayer and service through Mary, Mother of the Church. Meetings are held every Thursday at 10 AM.
Contact: Leigh Phillips at (360) 489-4797 or leigh_sophie@live.com
Since 2005, the Men’s Group at St. Michael Parish has provided an opportunity for men to grow in their faith as they strive to become the men God calls them to be. Led by our Pastor, the group meets each Wednesday morning from 6:30-7:30 am and uses a process of prayer, song, study, and discussion. Topics include Sacred Scripture, teachings of the Catholic Church, and the issues and challenges that confront men in today’s world as they strive to follow Christ’s example at home, work, and in their community. This is an on-going gathering and one can join in at any time.
Contact: Fr. Jim Lee at (360) 754-4667 or office@saintmichaelparish.org
Small Faith Sharing Communities meet in homes, at the parish or other locations with 8 – 12 parishioners in a more intimate environment to pray and share together, making a large parish feel more like a family. Choose a group from those listed, or form a group of your own with friends. We supply the materials, training, and format. Small Groups meet to deepen your understanding of Sunday Scripture; gain wisdom; share prayer petitions, insights and “God sightings” in a confidential setting; meet other parishioners and share life and faith experiences; deepen your own faith/life connection in a supportive environment.
Contact: Michaela Moreau at (360) 292-7104 or mmoreau@saintmichaelparish.org
The Knights of Columbus is a service organization for Catholic men, age 18 and older. The Knights are active in charity and service throughout the parish and the greater community, and support vocations to religious life. Involvement in the Knights presents opportunities for personal growth, responsibility, and leadership. Pillars of the order are charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. The local Council 1634 meets in the evening on the first Thursday of the the month at 6794 Martin Way E., Olympia, WA. To join the Knights or transfer from another Council, visit their website or call Tom at (360) 753-9785.
Online: Knights of Columbus
The pastor seeks advice and counsel from eight leadership councils and commissions in order to guide the mission of the parish. Each council and commission is engaged with one area of parish life and ministry.
To serve on a council or commission, you must be a fully initiated Roman Catholic who has registered at the parish for at least two years is a current Partner in the Mission. To serve on the Pastoral or Finance Council, you must also have served previously on a council or commission within the last seven years.
Councils
Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council is a consultative body with whom the Pastor can prayerfully reflect and work in guiding the overall care and ministry of the parish, as well as enhancing the parish mission and direction.
Finance Council. The Finance Council is a consultative body providing advice and recommendations to the Pastor concerning the stewardship of the parish’s fiscal resources, including long-range financial planning to support the parish mission.
Stewardship Council. The Stewardship Council promotes stewardship as a way of life for the people of St. Michael Parish, advancing all aspects of stewardship by offering education, personal discovery, and a welcoming ministerial spirit. Council members support the annual Time & Talent effort, the Annual Catholic Appeal, and sacrificial giving renewal.
Commissions
Faith Formation Commission. The Faith Formation Commission is a consultative body that offers support and advice to the Pastor on matters of faith formation, with the goal of nurturing life-long faith in all parishioners. Members meet ten times per year to review current parish Faith Formation ministries, study best practices and Church documents on faith formation, and develop the direction of future faith formation initiatives.
School Commission. St. Michael School Commission is a consultative body to the Pastor and to the Principal on matters relating to the parish school. Primary responsibilities include advising and supporting the Pastor and the Principal as they form policy and direct the ongoing development of the school.
Pastoral Care & Community Outreach Commission. This commission promotes awareness of Catholic social teaching and opportunities to put that teaching into action. They evaluate new and existing ministries, provide educational opportunities, and recommend financial support for local organizations serving the poor.
Spiritual Life and Worship Commission. This commission is committed to deepening the spiritual life of the St. Michael Parish community. They recommend actions to the Pastor, the Pastoral Council, and Liturgy staff that will result in a more prayerful and spiritual community.
Vietnamese Commission. The Vietnamese Commission is a consultative body that provides advice and recommendations to the Pastor concerning the parish’s care and ministry to the Vietnamese community. Work of the commission provides an opportunity for Vietnamese members to come together to worship and support one another, maintain the use of their native language, and promote awareness of their culture.
SMP is blessed with a large and very active Vietnamese community.