Pope St. John XXIII Parish News

Volunteer Sign Up

Collections

Online Giving 

The Sunday collection is very important for us to maintain our fiscal responsibilities. So, if you are away on a Sunday, ENJOY; but, remember YOUR church. Set up your gift today or consider an additional gift via our Online Giving at link below:

Thank You, Alexis, for Your Service

We would like to express our gratitude to our Administrative Assistant at St. John of the Woods, Alexis Tibbits. Alexis's last day of work for PSJXXIII Parish was September 22. We are grateful for all of the contributions she brought to the PSJ Family, and in particular to St. John of the Woods Mission.  We wish Alexis the best in her future endeavors! 

Faith Formation

Baptism Preparation Class

Class will be offered for parents and godparents who have new born babies and children under 7 years old. PSJXXIII Every Second Saturday: Next class is October 11 or November 8

1:00 –2:30pm class in English

2:30 – 4:00pm in Vietnamese 

By Deacon Theman 

At Pope St John XXIII Parish Center. Please call Sr. Theresa at 592-2541 or email <sotheresa2022@psj23.org>

OCIA – Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

Sessions begin Monday, September 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the PSJXXIII Religious Center.

This program is open to anyone 16 years or older who:

  • Wants to learn more about the Catholic faith
  • Wishes to be baptized or confirmed in the Catholic Church
  • Is a lapsed Catholic seeking to return
  • Desires a refresher on the faith

We meet every Monday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

For more information, please call or text Sr. Theresa at 253-592-2541.


Religious Education Program

Our Religious Education program is open to all children from Pre-K (age 4) through 8th grade, including preparation for First Communion and Confirmation.

  • PSJXXIII: Classes begin Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
  • St. John of the Woods: Classes begin Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 9:45 AM – 11:10 AM.

Registration forms are available at the church entrance or online at: www.psj23.org/forms.

For questions, please contact Sr. Theresa at (253) 592-2541.



Vietnamese Class OCIA

 class will begin on Sunday, October 5, 2025, and will conclude on April 5, 2026.

 Class time is from 2:00 to 3:45 PM every Sunday at Milner Center.

The class is completely free of charge.

Vietnamese Religious Education Program


  • 10:30-12:30 Viet language class
  • 12:35-1:40 Viet Religious Education class
  • 1:45-3:30 Viet Eucharistic Youth group



Announcements

Saint Rita Church of PSJXXIII Parish Family


Thank You 

David Viafore and his crew for beautifying the grounds around St. Rita Church and rectory. Through David's efforts, funds and labor were donated to make this huge project happen.They pruned bushes and roses, mowed and edged and took care of the entire project in just a few days. What a labor of love, just like our original parishioners. Attached are photos of the yard as well as the original list of donors who helped finance the building of the church. 

Dear Friends,


St. Rita Church History Trivia; Last week's question:  What special event in the 1920s involved parishioner Natalis J. Maruca?  Answer: Father Natalis Maruca,SJ, the first Jesuit from Tacoma, was ORDAINED at St. Rita on August 25, 1925. He was Patty' Maruca's dad's cousin and married her parents at St. Rita. He is buried at Mt.St.Michael Cemetery in Spokane. Patty is a regular at our Saturday Prayer Services and filled in the details for us..  


This week's question: What country contributed to the ethnic enrichment of St. Rita in the 1980s? Answer in next week's email


If you have knowledge of St. Rita history, please send me a message with a St. Rita history question of your own that I can include in one of these emails.



PLEASE consider donating to our church. With no regular Saturday/Sunday Masses, our contributions are not sufficient to pay our bills each month. PSJXXIII has had to take funds from our savings for St. Rita to make ends meet. We are looking at possible ways to reduce expenses, but most are set expenses. So, we need to increase our contributions YOU can help!.

   1) Donate to St.Rita with a monthHe ly contribution. Bring to Saturday prayer services or take/mail directly to PSJXXIII and mark clearly for St. Rita's upkeep. The address is 

                                St. Rita of Cascia Church                  

                                c/o Pope St. John XXIII Parish

                                7025 S Park

                                Tacoma,WA 98408

  2) Come to our fundraisers and have FUN while raising FUNDS for our beloved church. We are hoping to have one after the Christmas holidays  Fr. Tuan and his parish team will confirm a date for us. We are praying for a Mass and plan on serving a meal afterwards with a raffle. Raffle prizes are welcome for the event.


Upcoming Events - We would LOVE to have more of you join us on Saturday mornings. We are usually done with prayer and coffee hour about 11:15 a.m.

Saturday, September 27, Rosary at 9:40 a.m. and Prayer Service at 10 a.m.  Coffee hour follows in the hall

Saturday, October 4, Rosary recited at 9:40 a.m. and Prayer Service at 10 a.m.  Coffee hour follows in the halll

Saturday, October 11, Rosary recited at 9:40 a.m.. Prayer Service at 10 a.m., including Anointing of the Sick  Coffee hour follows in the halll

Saturday, October 18, Rosary at 9:40 a.m. and Prayer Service at 10 a.m.  Coffee hour follows in the hall


St. Rita, Pray for Us

Fr. Sacco, Pray for Us

Fr. Baffaro, Pray for Us

God Bless,

Francie Messina Jordan


We need parishioners to join our facility team.  Volunteering as part of the facility team is a beautiful way to serve God and your parish community. By helping care for the church, you contribute to maintaining a sacred space where we gather to worship, pray, and seek comfort. Your efforts, no matter how small, help create a welcoming and peaceful environment for others to encounter God. It's a humble and rewarding form of stewardship that allows you to give back to the church that nourishes your faith, while also strengthening bonds with fellow parishioners as you work together for a common purpose.

Contact: Thien Dinh at (253) 279-3361 

or thiendinh@psj23.org.
More Information about Saint Rita Church

Visitation Church of PSJXXIII Parish Family



Did You Know?


Saturday Morning Mass is now celebrated exclusively at Visitation Church in Tacoma. All parishioners are invited to join us at 9:00 AM.



Volunteer Needed

We need new volunteers for:

  1. Eucharistic Ministers- We also need someone willing to be the lead EM and write a monthly schedule.




New ministry

We have a new ministry beginning in our parish called 7 Sisters Apostolate. The website is here: at our parish called 7 Sisters Apostolate if you want to read more about it. This ministry is formed to strengthen the Church by specifically praying for our priests. The goal is to have a holy hour assigned every single day for the intention of praying for Fr. Tuan and Fr. Hendry. This ministry will span all of our campuses. You can contact Pacita Ongoco, whose contact information is in the bulletin, or your parish office to learn more or to sign up.

Pacita's email: renpac_1@hotmail.com if people call you to sign up



Outreach Community



A Special Thank You !!!


  • A big Thank You to all of you that supported the Parish Supply Drive. We received so many wonderful donations and the lower hall is now restocked for another year. We could not have done this without you and your generosity!


Pope St. John XXIII STEM ACADEMY

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Picture Day - Wednesday, October 1
  • Sunday, October 12 - 9:45 am - Feast Day Mass for PSJ23, main campus
  • October 23 - October 24 - Parent-Teacher Conferences - Expectation

THURSDAY MASS INVITATION

We warmly invite all parents, guardians, and family members to join us for the school Mass at Visitation Church every Thursday at 9 am, and to attend Sunday Mass at Pope St. John XXIII Parish. 


CARPOOL HELP NEEDED

A PSJSTEM Family is in need of assistance with carpool. They live in the 98444 zip code, and will need help with rides to and from school for one student beginning October 22nd. If you can help, please text 470-504-0428.


Congrats to PSJ girls volleyball on their win Way to go, Panthers!



Parish Family- Facilities Team

We need parishioners to join our facility team. Volunteering as part of the facility team is a beautiful way to serve God and your parish community. By helping care for the church, you contribute to maintaining a sacred space where we gather to worship, pray, and seek comfort. Your efforts, no matter how small, help create a welcoming and peaceful environment for others to encounter God. It's a humble and rewarding form of stewardship that allows you to give back to the church that nourishes your faith, while also strengthening bonds with fellow parishioners as you work together for a common purpose.

Contact: Father Tuan, Fr. Hendry after Mass

or Thien Dinh at (253) 279-3361

or thiendinh@psj23.org.


Archdiocese News

Prayer Lists

Pope Saint John XXIII


Veronica Titialii, Krista Brown, Virginia Wooten, Marian Bronson, Helene Cordeau, Muriel & Ron Bate, Cathy Bunger, Olivia Davis, Kathleen Genge, Wayne Haverkorn, Sally Ives, LeeAnn Koch, J. Mam, Nancy Jones, Jackie Lane, Gloria Montes, Terry Mathern, Doris McGuire, Wesley McMakin, Helen Murray, Peggy Neagle, Diane Orris, Shirley Pietz, Bob & Rayanne Richardson, Rita Shingledecker, Eldon Weber, Woody Woodring


                 

  • For anointing of the sick please call Sr. Anna at 253-592-2455.


Visitation and Saint Rita 

jeanette Gatbunton, Cathy Adam, Bob Rooney, Jim Swan, Louise Peterson, Richard Baron, Elisabeth Douglas, Tim Berntsen, Milo Ternes, Tony George, Rick Shurbet, Sabina & George Lockhart, Dick Vargo, Elaine Elliott, Lillian Albers, Odkod McMillin, Jennifer Brandt, Emma Millikan, Shirley Keyes, Mick Flynn, Philip Stumpf, John Meier, Joseph Rivera, Bob Woorley, Peter Pagano, Gene Hall, RosAnn Bridges, Petra Polequin, Brenda Gadson, Dean Lucchesi, Frank & Willie Faniel, Jerry Landridge, Jim & Karen Keithley, Maxine Campbell, David Lamb, Tyler Anglin, Vanessa Elmer, Lucy Romo, Benjamin & Linda Holm, Charles, Robin Mazza, Charlie Faniel, Bobby Gatbunton Myrl Greggs, Sharon Turner and her Family. All those suffering in war and strife. Aaron Turner and her Family. All those suffering in war and strife.  


  • For the anointing of the sick please call Sr. Anna at 253-592-2455. 


Parish News

Weekly Newsletter SJOW | Sept. 28, 2025

By PSJXXIII Parish • September 26, 2025
St. John of the Woods Mission News

Weekly Newsletter PSJXXIII | Sept 28, 2025

By PSJXXIII Parish • September 26, 2025
Events

Viet Bulletin | Hiep Nhat | Sept. 28, 2025

By PSJXXIII Parish • September 26, 2025

Parish Bulletin | Sept 28, 2025

By PSJXXIII Parish • September 26, 2025
Pope Saint John XXIII Parish Family

Weekly Newsletter PSJXXIII | Sept 21, 2025

By PSJXXIII Parish • September 19, 2025
Visitation Church of Pope Saint John XXIII Parish Family

Weekly Newsletter SJOW | Sept. 21, 2025

By PSJXXIII Parish • September 19, 2025
St. John of the Woods is a rural Catholic community centered in Jesus Christ, growing in faith and sharing the Word of God through the Eucharist and Sacraments. We are a welcoming parish of active, involved people of all ages and cultures, serving families and recognizing the gifts that each person brings.

Weekly Newsletter PSJXXIII | Sept 21, 2025

By PSJXXIII Parish • September 19, 2025
Events

Viet Bulletin | Hiep Nhat | Sept. 21, 2025

By PSJXXIII Parish • September 19, 2025
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