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St. Gabriel Catholic Church and Parish Family 52: Three Roman Catholic Campuses Across Port Orchard, Belfair, and Gig Harbor

Catholic Church in Port Orchard, Washington

St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Port Orchard is part of Parish Family 52, a Roman Catholic community uniting St. Gabriel, Prince of Peace in Belfair, and St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Gig Harbor under the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel initiative since July 2024.

About St Gabriel Catholic Church

Three Campuses, One Roman Catholic Family on the Peninsula

St. Gabriel Catholic Church stands on Mitchell Avenue in Port Orchard, Washington, the oldest of three campuses that together form Parish Family 52, a Roman Catholic community that also includes Prince of Peace in Belfair and St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Gig Harbor. Each campus retains its own name, its own building, and its own distinct personality, but the three share a pastor, a staff, and a mission described in a single phrase: striving for Holy Discipleship. Together they serve Catholics across the Kitsap Peninsula and the shores of the Gig Harbor area, with Mass offered in English and Spanish, schools and faith formation for every age, and a wide network of outreach ministries that reaches beyond parish boundaries.

The parish family is part of the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel initiative, a strategic pastoral planning effort that brought neighboring parishes together under shared leadership so that priests, programs, and resources can serve an entire region more effectively. Parishioners are welcome to attend Mass, register, and join any group at any of the three campuses.

The Five Loaves and Two Fish: How Parish Family 52 Came Together

The story begins with a shortage. In January 2023, the Archdiocese of Seattle launched Partners in the Gospel to address the fact that there are not enough priests to assign a pastor to every church. Pastors now shepherd multiple parishes, and parishes have been grouped into new family structures. After more than a year of synodal discussions among clergy and lay faithful, St. Gabriel in Port Orchard, Prince of Peace in Belfair, and St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Gig Harbor were brought together on July 1, 2024, under the leadership of Pastor Fr. Mark Guzman, to form what the Archdiocese numbered Parish Family 52.

The temporary name carries a story. Shortly after the three parishes were joined, a parishioner pointed out that the number 52 echoes the miracle of the loaves and fishes: five loaves and two fish used by Jesus to feed a multitude. The parish family logo carries that symbol, and the account from the Gospel of Mark anchors the identity: a community that believes God multiplies what is offered, even when it looks small. In time, the parish family will choose a permanent name that reflects its shared identity and submit its One Parish Plan to the Archdiocese and on to Rome, where it will be canonically recognized as a new parish.

Even before joining Parish Family 52, the three campuses shared deep roots. St. Gabriel had given birth to Prince of Peace as its mission in 1992. Fr. Mark had served as pastor of St. Nicholas since 2014. The unification built on relationships that already existed, while adding the disciplines of shared staffing, joint planning, and a unified calendar.

St. Gabriel the Archangel: A Port Orchard Parish Since 1949

St. Gabriel Parish traces its beginnings to the growing Port Orchard community during and after World War II, when Catholics in the area gathered for Mass in temporary locations. The Port Orchard Mission was officially established as St. Gabriel Parish on June 23, 1949. Its first pastor, Father Timothy Moynihan, guided the young parish through its formative years and is remembered for steady leadership and adaptability when facilities were limited and the community was still taking shape.

Through the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, a succession of pastors strengthened parish life and expanded its ministries. Among them were Father John P. Donohoe, Father Patrick O'Neill, Father Gary Weisenberger, and Father Tony Haycock, each contributing to the parish's growth and stability. A major renovation of the worship space in 1983 reconfigured the sanctuary and enhanced the parish's liturgical life. That same year, St. Gabriel received its first permanent deacon, Deacon John Ricciardi, in November 1982.

A defining chapter began in July 1986, when Father Dennis C. Sevilla became pastor. Responding to the pastoral needs of Catholics living in the Belfair area, Fr. Dennis led the creation of Prince of Peace Mission. Construction began on August 16, 1990, and the mission was formally dedicated on June 12, 1992, a lasting legacy of his commitment to extending the parish's outreach. Fr. Dennis was supported by Father Victor Cloquet, a retired priest who began assisting at both St. Gabriel and Prince of Peace in 1992 and continued for many years.

Father Jerry McCloskey succeeded Fr. Dennis in 1999. After Fr. Jerry's retirement due to poor health, leadership entered a collaborative period beginning in July 2003, when Sister Deanna M. Carr, BVM, arrived as Pastoral Coordinator. Father Henry Mulindwa became Priest Administrator in 2009 and oversaw a second major renovation of the parochial building, including the 2010 reinstallation of kneelers in the sanctuary. Later in 2010, Father Phuong V. Hoang assumed full pastoral responsibility for both St. Gabriel and Prince of Peace Mission, supported by Father Charles Schmitz, S.J., and visiting priests who served the Spanish-speaking community at Prince of Peace. Under Fr. Phuong's leadership, the parish celebrated its 75th anniversary with a Mass concelebrated by the Archbishop and a number of past parish priests.

On July 1, 2024, the Archdiocese executed Partners in the Gospel and St. Gabriel was joined with Prince of Peace and St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Gig Harbor under Fr. Mark Guzman as pastor. From its establishment in 1949 through decades of growth, renovation, and outreach, including the founding of Prince of Peace Mission, St. Gabriel Parish remains rooted in faith, service, and a commitment to meeting the spiritual needs of its community.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino: A Century on Gig Harbor's Waterfront

Across the Tacoma Narrows, St. Nicholas of Tolentino began as a mission of St. Leo Parish in Tacoma, founded to serve the fishing families of Gig Harbor. Before 1914, Mass and the sacraments were offered by visiting priests in the homes of early pioneer Catholic families, many of whose descendants remain active in the parish today. In late 1913, the parish bought half an acre of land from Mrs. Mary Oliver for $300 as the site for a permanent church. Money to build it was raised through donations from Catholic families, canneries, and fishermen's supply houses. Construction began in December 1913 and was completed in the spring of 1914. Father Ignatius Vasta offered the first Mass in the new church on Easter Sunday 1914.

Forty years later, the Catholic community had outgrown the original church. On December 3, 1958, builders broke ground for the current church, and Father Henry Kruft celebrated the first Mass there just five months later. A new religious education building followed in 1970 (now the parish hall), and a new rectory in 1974 (now the parish offices). In 1973, restoration of the Old Church began, and the building served for years as a meeting and reception space. From 1981 to 1997, the Peninsula Historical Society leased and occupied its lower level. Old Church closed in 2011 due to structural issues, and efforts to restore it are ongoing.

St. Nicholas is also home to a parish school. In 1995, parents from the Peninsula founded Holy Family School as an independent Catholic school with 14 students, leasing classrooms at St. John Episcopal and local Assembly of God churches while the school grew. In 2000, Holy Family School was incorporated into the Archdiocese of Seattle and became St. Nicholas Catholic School, moving to its present location behind the church in 2001. Today the school serves over 160 students from preschool through eighth grade and forms an integral part of the parish's mission.

The patron saint is St. Nicholas of Tolentino (1246 - 1306), patron of boatmen, mariners, and sailors, which is why the early settlers of Gig Harbor chose him to watch over their endeavors. A replica of the fifteenth-century Italian painting Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck hangs in the vestibule. The parish is also home to Our Lady of the Harbor, a Byzantine-style icon commissioned by the St. Nicholas Knights of Columbus in 1998, written by world-renowned iconographer Sister Marie Fitzpatrick, FSMA. A reproduction was presented to Pope St. John Paul II, and a full-sized copy was presented to Pope Benedict XVI in April 2009.

Prince of Peace: A Belfair Mission Born of Necessity

Before Prince of Peace Mission was built, families in and around Belfair gathered for Mass in private homes and later at the Belfair Community Baptist Church, reflecting a longstanding desire for a permanent place of worship closer to home. Religious education classes in the early 1960s met upstairs in the Fire Department Hall on State Route 3, and in the early 1970s the Hall family asked the Baptist congregation if Catholics could rent their sanctuary for Saturday evening Mass. The Baptists agreed, and Mass was celebrated in their building from 1971 to 1976 under Father Don Piro.

Father Patrick O'Neill was instrumental in establishing the group as a Mission. He recognized the need for a local facility and purchased a piece of land on Highway 3 above the South Shore stop light. A building committee began assessing the project. The original site proved unsuitable, but within a few months Tony Hannan discovered the property on which the church is built today. Construction began on August 16, 1990, under the leadership of Father Dennis C. Sevilla, pastor of St. Gabriel, and the church was formally dedicated and named Prince of Peace Mission on June 12, 1992.

James Cathedral donated their pews to the new church, and although their lumber was not used for seating, two parishioners built the altar, ambo, presider's chair, processional cross, sound cabinet, music stands, bulletin boards, and all of the baseboard in the church from it. An Italian artist was commissioned to carve the corpus on the processional cross. In the 1990s, the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus was formed at Prince of Peace, and the St. Vincent de Paul store was born in a home, moved to a renovated commercial garage, and finally to the former hardware store, before closing its Belfair operation in 2003 and giving the entire operation to the local Faith in Action group.

Through the 1990s, a growing community of Spanish-speaking and Guatemalan families found a home at Prince of Peace. Father Dennis Sevilla welcomed them and added a Sunday afternoon Mass in Spanish, with a full dinner provided through a Rice Bowl grant and the care of two women. Two Dominican sisters, Sister Gertrude Pena and Sister Sienna Smith, visited monthly to offer religious education in Spanish and in Mayan languages. Today, Prince of Peace continues to celebrate Sunday Mass in English at 9:00 AM and in Spanish at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, with a 6:00 PM Spanish Mass on the first Thursday of each month.

Mass and Worship at All Three Campuses

The parish family celebrates Sunday Mass at St. Gabriel in Port Orchard and St. Nicholas in Gig Harbor on Saturdays at 5:00 PM and Sundays at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Prince of Peace in Belfair celebrates Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM in English, followed by Masses in Spanish at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Daily Mass is celebrated at all three campuses, with the schedule varying by location. St. Gabriel offers Daily Mass on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11:00 AM, with a Thursday evening Mass at 6:00 PM and a Communion Service on Tuesdays. St. Nicholas offers Daily Mass on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00 AM and on Thursdays at 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Prince of Peace offers Daily Mass in English on Thursdays at 10:00 AM, with a Spanish Mass at 6:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month.

Parishioners are welcome to attend Mass at any of the three locations. The parish family describes the Eucharist as the source and summit of the faith, where the assembly encounters Christ in Word and Sacrament, and where active participation in prayer, song, and presence makes the celebration complete.

Confession, Adoration, and Devotional Life

The Sacrament of Confession is offered at all three campuses. At St. Gabriel, confessions are heard on Fridays from 10:00 to 10:45 AM and on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. At St. Nicholas, confessions are heard on Thursdays from 5:00 to 5:45 PM and on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. At Prince of Peace, confessions are heard after Sunday Masses.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a centerpiece of the devotional life. At St. Gabriel, Adoration with Benediction is celebrated on Tuesdays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM after the Communion Service and on the third Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. At St. Nicholas, Adoration and Benediction fills the entire day on Thursdays, beginning at 9:30 AM and concluding at 5:00 PM. At Prince of Peace, Adoration follows the Thursday morning Mass on the first Thursday of each month, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Churches are open for prayer to parishioners during campus office hours.

Community devotionals include the Holy Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, prayed at different moments during the week. At St. Nicholas, the parish gathers every weekday at 8:30 AM to pray the Rosary before Mass, and on the first Sunday of the month at 2:45 PM to pray the fifteen-decade Rosary. The parish family invites everyone to pray together and grow together.

Sacraments at Every Stage of Life

The parish family celebrates the seven sacraments and welcomes anyone seeking Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, or the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Across all three campuses, regular opportunities exist to participate in the sacraments and to grow in faith at every stage of life. The parish quotes St. John Paul II: The sacraments are the manifestation of the Father's tenderness and love for each of us.

Baptism for infants and young children requires registration, an interview, a copy of the child's birth certificate, and a copy of the godparent's confirmation certificate (and marriage certificate, if married). At St. Gabriel and Prince of Peace, baptisms are scheduled through the Faith Formation office; at St. Nicholas, families complete an Infant Baptism Registration Form and a Godparent Application Form and attend a baptism preparation meeting.

Children aged 7 and older who have not yet been baptized participate in the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC), with families meeting regularly and the children receiving Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil. Adults seeking baptism or full communion with the Catholic Church participate in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), a process of inquiry, formation, and celebration that culminates at the Easter Vigil.

Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion requires a two-year formation period. A child is ready to begin preparation once they are baptized and at least five years old. Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation: youth are confirmed between the ages of 12 and 17 after attending a preparation program and a retreat; adults who have been baptized Catholic may also complete their initiation. Marriage preparation is offered to engaged couples through the parish. The Anointing of the Sick may be received before surgery, in serious illness, or near death, by calling the parish office; emergency numbers are available after hours for anointing in danger of death.

Faith Formation for Every Age

The parish family offers formation opportunities for every age and stage of life, with Spanish-language programs at the Prince of Peace campus. Faith Formation at St. Gabriel centers on Catapult, a family catechetical program designed to form families for missionary discipleship. Catapult weaves together three threads: after-school catechesis for children on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, family formation through retreats, family sessions, parent roundtables, and take-home resources, and missionary moments twice a year when the parish community steps outside the building. Participation in Catapult counts toward the two-year requirement for sacramental preparation in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

At St. Nicholas, Faith Formation begins with the Atrium, a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program for children ages 3 to 6, in which children are formed in a sacred space to prepare for fuller participation in the Catholic faith. The 2026 - 2027 Atrium sessions meet on Mondays from 4:15 to 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall Atrium Room. Friend 2 Friend is the program for grades 2 through 5, taking the wisdom of the Gospel and the liturgical year to teach the Christian understanding and values of friendship. Both run in the fall, winter, and spring with dates set each year.

Adult formation is a constant invitation. At St. Gabriel, parish Bible study meets on Mondays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in the parish library and is open to all adults. Adult formation continues through retreats, workshops, classes, and certificate courses throughout the year. Small Christian Communities (SCCs) of six to eight people can be formed for Bible study, prayer groups, or seasonal faith-sharing, with Deacon Gil Pesqueira guiding an incubator-style program at St. Gabriel. Men of Faith gathers on the fourth Thursday of each month, January through June, for an evening of food, fellowship, and faith-sharing with guest speakers. At Prince of Peace, Faith Sharing groups meet after the Thursday morning Mass and on Wednesdays at 4:30 PM for God's Book Club. A Bible study in Spanish and Q'anjob'al meets on Mondays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the community room.

At St. Nicholas, adult formation has included an eight-week fall session on Catholic Social Teaching and a winter session on Moral Formation. Coffee with Deacon Mikhail and Bible study reflections meets every Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the Parish Hall. The Marriage Ministry encourages married and engaged Catholic couples to invest in their sacrament through activities and programming and creates a community that supports sacramental marriage throughout the parish family. A team of trained Spiritual Directors accompanies individuals at every stage of the spiritual life, with offerings for anyone hoping to grow in their prayer and discernment.

Youth Ministry: Belong, Believe, Become

Youth Ministry across Parish Family 52 is built around three words: Belong, Believe, Become. The program welcomes all 6th through 12th graders to find community they can lean on, a God who loves them and has great plans for them, and the tools they need to become the missionary disciples they are called to be. Every student is welcome at any youth event, no matter the campus, and the family gathers each month for special parish-wide events.

The summer rhythm includes Monday high school Bible study at 10:30 AM in the St. Gabriel downstairs youth room, Wednesday afternoon kickball for middle school and high school at Jackson and Lund Park in Port Orchard, Thursday morning Mass and Mochas with the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Nicholas followed by a walk to the waterfront park and delivered Starbuck's, and Saturday Hiking Club outings at various locations. During the school year, the program offers flexible options across all campuses and publishes a calendar of gatherings, retreats, and combined parish-family events.

The Director of Youth Ministry is Michael Lonas, supported by Youth Ministry Program Coordinator Juana Serrato-Salazar and Youth Ministry Community Ambassador Norma Esteban Gaspar. The ministry is present on Instagram at @52youth, where it shares saints of the week, faith questions, and event highlights.

Outreach Ministries Beyond the Parish Walls

Parish Family 52 lives its mission by reaching beyond parish walls. The Gospel is meant to be carried into homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods, and parishioners are sent to the poor and the needy, the elderly and the homebound, the lonely and the overlooked, and those facing difficult circumstances. The parish quotes Luke 4:18: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

At St. Gabriel, the St. Vincent de Paul Conference has assisted thousands of individuals with utilities, transportation, housing, food, clothing, and in-kind services. The Knights of Columbus, founded by Blessed Michael McGivney in 1882, empowers Catholic men to live their faith and serve family, parish, community, and country through charity, unity, and fraternity. PREPARES offers free support and activities for families from pregnancy through a child's fifth birthday, meeting on Mondays from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Gabriel. The parish supports Benedict House, a men's shelter in Bremerton, by preparing and delivering meals twice a year, and serves meals at the South Kitsap Family Kitchen on the last Monday of each month at 5:00 PM. Homebound ministers bring the Word of God and the Eucharist to those who cannot be present at Sunday Mass. The Winter Bazaar, held the first weekend in November, supports Coats for Kids, Backpacks for Kids, SK Family Kitchen, the Holiday Food Box Program, and St. Vincent de Paul. St. Anthony Guild prays for family members who have drifted from the Church and supports youth ministry, prepares meals twice a year for Benedict House, and hosts an annual bake sale. The Solo Group provides social connection for those who are single, widowed, divorced, or otherwise living independently. Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayer Group meets on Thursdays at 10:00 AM in the St. Gabriel Chapel. The Paraclete Prayer Group meets on Mondays at 12:30 PM in the St. Gabriel Chapel, praying over each intention aloud. The Rosary Makers craft rosaries that have reached Africa, Mexico, Canada, India, missions overseas, prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes. Grief Support is offered as a parish ministry for those mourning the loss of a loved one. The Guam Club and the Filipino-American Club celebrate cultural community and fellowship.

At Prince of Peace, the Knights of Columbus Council continues its long history of service. The North Mason Coalition of Churches and Community is an ecumenical group of volunteers providing food backpacks for kids and a free weekly luncheon. The parish supports Benedict House with meals twice a year. St. Monica Guild serves the faith and greater Belfair community, sponsors graduates, and contributes to families in need. God's Book Club meets on Wednesdays at 4:30 PM in the Prince of Peace meeting room. The Rosary Makers craft rosaries for missions overseas and for local prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes. The Spiritual Adoption Ministry is an intercessory prayer ministry for a baby in danger of being aborted, and for that baby's parents and family, taking only fifteen seconds a day.

At St. Nicholas, PREPARES is a life-affirming initiative of the Catholic Bishops of Washington that supports mothers, fathers, and their children up to age 5 through a collaborative network of volunteers. The parish runs a Baby Closet on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. That Man Is You is a program designed specifically for Catholic men, addressing the pressures and temptations men face in modern culture, with thirteen fall sessions and thirteen spring sessions open to men 18 and older. The Knights of Columbus Council #9238 is a fraternal organization for men 18 and older. Grace Women's Ministry, formerly Pray and Stay, gathers women of all ages and walks of life. The St. Nicholas Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul runs a parish food pantry, helps with rent, utilities, furniture, and emergency shelter, sponsors the Christmas Giving Tree, and operates the St. Vincent de Paul Helpline. The Visitation Guild is a ladies' organization that hosts fundraisers, social events, and funeral receptions, with monthly meetings September through May. The Quilters, Knitters, Crocheters, and Fabric Artists of Stitch and Sew meet on the first Thursday of each month from 12:30 to 2:30 PM in the Old Church. The St. Nicholas Respect Life Guild prays a monthly Pro-Life Rosary on the first Sunday of the month, witnesses at Planned Parenthood each Tuesday, and supports Care-Net and couples taking Natural Family Planning classes. Widow/Widowers Forward brings together those who have lost a spouse, meeting on the third Saturday of each month at 12:30 PM in the Parish Hall. The Well-Check Ministry offers regular friendly phone calls to adults and seniors, particularly those who are homebound or living with disabilities. The Legion of Mary meets on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in St. Nicholas Room 3. Casseroles for Nativity House invites parishioners to cook and freeze a one-dish meal that is delivered to feed those experiencing homelessness in Tacoma.

Worship Ministries and Liturgical Arts

Worship at Parish Family 52 is supported by liturgical ministers at every campus. Sacristans prepare the sacred vessels, vestments, and books for each liturgy. Eucharistic Ministers assist in distributing Holy Communion. Lectors proclaim the Scriptures. Ambassadors serve as greeters and ushers, welcoming all who come to Mass. Music Directors lead congregational singing and choir. Art and Environment volunteers arrange flowers, plants, banners, and artwork for liturgical seasons and major feasts, with help especially appreciated during Christmas, Holy Week, and Pentecost. Altar Servers assist the priest at the altar; the parish invites any registered parishioner in fourth grade or older who has received Baptism and First Eucharist to serve, and the Archdiocese of Seattle and Parish Family 52 make no distinction between boys and girls.

Music Directors Laurie Samora at St. Gabriel, Wendy Bone at Prince of Peace, and Pastoral Associate for Music Amy Gallwas at St. Nicholas lead choirs and congregations in sung worship. The parish family is grateful for music ministers who build choirs, form cantors, and accompany the assembly week after week.

Visiting Parish Family 52

Visiting a new church can be intimidating. The parish family has heard the common questions and answered them with care. Families are encouraged to sit toward the front so that children can see. Some campuses have spaces for little ones who need a break, and some are equipped so that parents will not miss a moment of the liturgy. Before Mass, the churches are quiet because the parish practices reverent silence before worship. After Mass, coffee and donuts are served and the community is very social.

Visitors who are not Catholic need not feel self-conscious about when to sit, stand, or kneel. Most visitors follow the lead of parishioners, and worship aids in each pew give the order of the Mass, the postures, and the words of each prayer. Ushers are happy to bring a worship aid if one is missing. Visitors who are not Catholic are welcome but are asked not to receive Holy Communion; they may come forward with their hands crossed over their chests to receive a special blessing. Visitors are not expected to put money in the offering. Those who consider the parish their church home are invited to sign up for online giving.

All campuses have assisted listening devices for those with hearing loss; greeters and ushers are glad to provide assistance. The dress code is simple: come as you are. In summer it is common to see sandals, shorts, and a shirt, while others still put on their Sunday best. The parish requests only that shorts be of a conservative length and that clothing be respectable.

Beliefs and Stewardship

Parish Family 52 is part of the universal Roman Catholic Church. The parish proclaims belief in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; in the Church founded by Jesus upon Peter; in the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity; in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition; and in the communion of saints. Mass is described in the words of St. Maximilian Kolbe: The Mass is the greatest act of love we can offer to God. The Ten Commandments, the Two Great Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, and the Chief Commandments of the Church form the moral and devotional backbone of parish life.

The parish family practices stewardship of time, talent, and treasure, recognizing that all that we have and all that we are is a gift from God. Sacrificial giving, the gift of time through ministry, and the gift of talent through parish work are each expressions of the same grateful response. The Annual Catholic Appeal supports ministries across the Archdiocese of Seattle, from Vancouver to Blaine and Forks to Snoqualmie, and parishes that exceed their goal receive the overage back as a rebate for local projects. St. Gabriel has directed recent rebate funds toward front entry repairs; Prince of Peace toward new commercial toilets; and St. Nicholas toward new church flooring. Stewardship is lived out at each campus in giving, serving, and praying together, in the prayer of Pope Francis: Life is not given to us to be jealously guarded for ourselves, but is given to us so that we may give it in turn.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Mass times at St. Gabriel, Prince of Peace, and St. Nicholas?

St. Gabriel (Port Orchard): Saturday 5:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Prince of Peace (Belfair): Sunday 9:00 AM English, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM Spanish; Thursday 10:00 AM English; first Thursday 6:00 PM Spanish. St. Nicholas (Gig Harbor): Saturday 5:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM; Daily Mass Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:00 AM, plus Thursday at 6:00 PM.

When can I go to Confession?

At St. Gabriel, confessions are heard Friday 10:00 to 10:45 AM and Saturday 3:30 to 4:30 PM. At St. Nicholas, Thursday 5:00 to 5:45 PM and Saturday 3:30 to 4:30 PM. At Prince of Peace, confessions are heard after Sunday Masses.

What should I wear?

Come as you are. In summer it is common to see sandals, shorts, and a shirt, while others still put on their Sunday best. The parish only requests that shorts be of a conservative length and that clothing be respectable.

Where do my children go during Mass?

Families are encouraged to sit toward the front so children can see. Some campuses have spaces for little ones who need a break, and some are equipped so parents will not miss a moment of the liturgy.

If I am not Catholic, may I receive Communion?

Catholic teaching holds that the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. Those who are not Catholic are asked not to receive, but are invited to come forward with their hands crossed over their chests to receive a special blessing.

Is there help for visitors with hearing loss?

All campuses have assisted listening devices. Greeters and ushers are happy to provide one on request.

Are services offered in Spanish?

Yes. Prince of Peace in Belfair celebrates Sunday Mass in Spanish at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, and a Spanish Mass at 6:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month. Spanish Bible study, youth groups, and a young adult group also meet at Prince of Peace.

How can I get involved as a new parishioner?

Parishioners can register at any of the three campuses and may attend Mass, join any group, and volunteer at any campus. Worship ministries (sacristans, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, ambassadors, music, art and environment, altar servers) and outreach ministries (St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, PREPARES, Meals on Wheels, grief support, youth ministry, faith formation) all welcome new volunteers.

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Location Information

  • Address 1150 Mitchell Ave, Port Orchard, WA 98366
  • County Kitsap County
  • Area code 360
  • Time zone PST (observes DST)
  • PMSA 1150
  • FIPS 53035

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