For the past two years, August has meant advocacy. As part of our work with the Catholic Relief Services chapters, we schedule August recess visits with our federal representatives. Nearly 30 people of faith from around Western Washington joined us for virtual visits with staff members of both Senator Cantwell and Senator Murray's offices. This year, we discussed the importance of supporting international programming that helps alleviate hunger around the world. We have one more visit on August 30 with Rep. Marilyn Strickland's office. We hope you can join us! As students, teachers, and parents get ready for the school year, let's keep these families in our prayers. Many local organizations, such as St. Francis House, are still accepting school supplies. How can you live out your faith in prayer and/or action?

Food Bank

Neighbors served - 216

Households served - 97

Summer Program

Families served - 7

Thank you to All Saints Catholic School students Stella and Nayeli!!! They used the money from their lemonade stand to purchase food for the All Saints Delivery Food Bank.

Rent assistance: 7 households served

Utility assistance: 2 households served

Don't forget your blue envelopes on the Second Sunday of each month. Donations made to All Saints Community Services support our food programs as well as rent, utility, and transportation assistance for our community. You can also donate through our website. Thank you!

Thank you to the Gary and Carol Milgard Family for their generous grant of $10,000 to All Saints Community Services! We are also grateful for the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation for the $2,100 grant from the Carl F. Begert Memorial Fund.

Image: Statue of Saint Jeanne Jugan at the Sisters of the Poor in Valladolid | photo by Rodelar

Congratulations to Alexis, who was initiated into the church on August 9. She and her fiancée Kevin will be married at All Saints in December.

REFLECT

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration to listen and respond together to the cry of Creation. The ecumenical family around the world unites to pray and protect our common home. The Season “Celebration” begins on 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This year will unite around the theme, “Listen to the Voice of Creation.” As the Psalmist declares, “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge…their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the Earth, and their words to the end of the world.” (19: 1-4)

RESPOND

During this Season 0f Creation let us refresh/expand our knowledge and marvel at the magnificence of creation in our small place on this planet earth, which is part of the “Common Home” for all.

Is the soil under your feet, more clay, sand, rock or silt?

How long is the growing season in our area (from frost to frost)?

Can you name 7 trees that you would find walking along trails in the Pacific Northwest area?

Can you name 5 native plants to our Puget Sound area?

Name five native edible plants in our Western Washington area.

Name five birds that live where we are. Which are migratory and which stay put?

What is your local watershed?

Tuesdays, September 6 to October 11, at 6 p.m. via Zoom

Click here to learn more and register.

The Agape Service Project serves migrant farmworkers in Whatcom County through weeklong middle and high school mission trips. Through service-learning immersion experiences, participants learn about human dignity, issues affecting migrant farmworkers and why we as Catholics are called to serve. Through our food bank, community support and time spent with the migrant families, we have the ultimate goal of building personal relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Learn more here. Support their work with a gift.

Join our Catholic Relief Services Chapter members as they advocate to

• Reauthorize existing international programs in the 2023 Farm Bill
• Expand flexibility and/or efficiency of international programs in the 2023 Farm Bill

Chapter members gather two times a month. Once for a national virtual meeting and once for a local virtual meeting. Members are asked to complete an action once a month such as emailing representatives, writing letters to the editor, or planning visits.

If you are interested in learning more or participating in our August recess visits, please contact Morningstar at the parish office.

Website: https://allsaintsparish.com/outreach
Location: 204 6th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA, USA
Phone: 253-848-2000