New to the Area

   

New to the Area

St. Barbara Church happily welcomes all newcomers to the area. Some newcomers are settling down in one of the many communities that the church serves. While St. Barbara does not have a Catholic school, it is noted for its large, successful Religious Education Program, staffed by nearly 150 volunteers under the able leadership of Diana Ferree, Religious Education Director. Furthermore, two teen youth groups add a lot of zest to our parish life.

WEEKEND MASSES
Saturday
5:30 pm
Sunday
7:30 am
9:00 am
10:30 am
Please call for Holy Day
Schedule of Masses

It is easy for newcomers to join the parish. Simply pick up the phone and call the parish office at 360-886-2229. You will be registered in a flash by Mary Holsen, long time parishioner and Office Manager for St. Barbara. Another way to get registered is to fill in your name and address on one of the "temporary envelopes" found in the bookrack located in the big church vestibule. Once in a while Fr. Chuck also runs a short registration form in the Sunday Bulletin.

Other "newcomers" to St. Barbara are actually small groups of folks from other Catholic parishes who make occasional "pilgrimages" to St. Barbara for Sunday Mass. The staff knows that such a group or even an individual who lives at a distance is going to show up when the phone caller asks, "What Mass is Fr. Chuck doing this weekend?" These people invariably say that they are coming to get their periodic spiritual fix. While most of these people do not become regular members of St. Barbara because of the distance that they would have to drive, when they do show up, they are greeted like long-lost friends and made to feel right at home.

Even tourists passing through on their way to Mt. Rainier or some other destination, comment on how friendly the parish is. An out of town bishop who came one year for Confirmation asked a parish member, in reference to the love and enthusiasm that he experienced, "Is it always like this here?" "You bet!" was the joyful reply.

So, whether you are just traveling through or shopping for a parish home, you will discover that the uncomplicated atmosphere that exists at St. Barbara Parish will be a welcome antidote to all the stresses of life. The focus for you will be our life in Jesus and one another, with a stong emphasis on love.